Warkworth Castle and Hermitage is a medieval fortress and English Heritage site above the River Coquet in the village of Warkworth, Northumberland. This 2026 visitor guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport and parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips for planning your visit.
This guide was last updated in March 2026 to reflect the 2026/27 admission prices, valid from 28 March 2026. Note that the Hermitage — a rock-cut chapel reached by a riverside walk and rowing-boat ferry — opens on selected days only and carries an additional charge beyond standard castle admission.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Castle Terrace, Warkworth, Northumberland NE65 0UJ |
| Opening hours | Daily 10am–5pm (summer); reduced days in winter (see below) |
| Adult ticket | £8.50–£10.79 depending on date and day |
| Nearest train | Alnmouth station (3.5 miles) |
| Parking | On-site car park (~48 spaces); free for EH members, charged for non-members |
| Time needed | 1.5–2.5 hours (castle); allow extra time for the Hermitage |
Warkworth Castle opening hours
The 2026/27 schedule (28 March 2026 – 16 March 2027): 28 Mar – 24 Oct, daily 10am–5pm; 25 Oct – 1 Nov, daily 10am–4pm; 2 Nov – 23 Dec, Sat–Sun only, 10am–4pm; 24–26 Dec, closed; 27 Dec – 1 Jan, daily 10am–4pm; 2 Jan – 12 Feb, Sat–Sun only, 10am–4pm; 13–21 Feb (half-term), daily 10am–4pm; 22 Feb – 16 Mar, Wed–Sun, 10am–4pm.
Last admission is 30 minutes before closing. The Hermitage opens on selected days only between late March and late October and carries an extra charge — check the English Heritage website before travelling.
Opening hours were checked on the official English Heritage website and last updated in March 2026.
Warkworth Castle ticket prices
Important: at Warkworth, the Super Saver rate applies on Fridays and Saturdays — not Mondays to Fridays as at most English Heritage sites. The cheapest rate falls on Sundays to Thursdays outside peak summer. English Heritage members enter free. Concession prices apply to visitors aged 65 and over, students with a valid student ID, and jobseekers with relevant ID.
Super Saver — Fri–Sat, 28 Mar–22 May & 1 Sep–1 Nov; daily, 2 Nov–16 Mar
| Visitor | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | £8.50 |
| Concession | £7.65 |
| Child | £4.25 |
Saver — Sun–Thu, 28 Mar–22 May & 1 Sep–1 Nov; Fri–Sat, 23 May–31 Aug
| Visitor | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | £9.26 |
| Concession | £8.50 |
| Child | £4.59 |
Standard — Sun–Thu, 23 May–31 Aug
| Visitor | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | £10.79 |
| Concession | £10.03 |
| Child | £5.35 |
Groups of 15 or more receive a 10% discount. The Hermitage carries a separate additional charge.
Ticket prices were checked on the official English Heritage website and last updated in March 2026.
Is it worth paying for English Heritage membership?
Entry prices for English Heritage sites, including Dover Castle, Stonehenge and Tintagel Castle, can seem extremely expensive. This is clearly a deliberate ploy to push visitors towards taking out annual English Heritage membership.
Membership gives free access to more than 400 sites across the country, and costs £82. That is, unless you get a special deal – there was a 25%-off Black Friday deal in November 2025, for example.
Whether that £82 is worth it depends on how many sites are near you (there are lots in the south of the country, not so many near me in Yorkshire). And, critically, whether you’re going to visit them with children.
Each member can take up to six children with them free of charge. Given the steep one-time entry fees, an adult member with two children is likely to recoup the cost of their membership by visiting just two or three sites within the year.
For an individual without children, I’d say English Heritage membership is worth it only if you’re planning to blitz a few sites in one year. For an individual with children, membership is a smart investment that will likely pay itself back within one school holiday. To me, it’s a no-brainer.
The real question is whether it’s worth renewing English Heritage membership after a year. That’s debatable, as you’re unlikely to go to many of these sites twice. I eventually renewed after I was offered 20% off the price. I’ll probably recoup the membership price visiting two sites in summer next year, even if I’ve ticked off most of the best ones near me.
If you buy membership through this link, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
How to get to Warkworth Castle
Warkworth is on the A1068, 7.5 miles south of Alnwick. The nearest train station is Alnmouth (East Coast Main Line), 3.5 miles away; trains run from Newcastle in approximately 25 minutes. Taxis are available at the station. The Arriva X18 (Newcastle–Alnwick) and Travelsure 472 buses both serve Warkworth village; visitors arriving by either service (or the Glen Valley bus) receive 20% off walk-up admission on showing their bus ticket at the entrance. By car, use postcode NE65 0UJ via the A1068.
Parking at Warkworth Castle
An on-site car park with approximately 48 spaces is directly outside the castle. Parking is free for English Heritage members. Non-members pay a parking charge (£3), which is refunded on admission — keep your parking ticket. No marked disabled bays exist, but all spaces are close to the entrance. At busy times, additional charged parking is available in Warkworth village (approximately 200 metres) and at a long-stay car park near Warkworth Beach.
Accessibility at Warkworth Castle
Access to this English castle‘s interior is significantly limited. The entrance involves gravel, grass, bridge slats, and one step; a ramp is available. The grounds are mostly grass and accessible with assistance. The keep and upper levels require steep staircases; there is no lift. The Hermitage involves uneven riverside walking plus a rowing-boat ferry — it is not accessible for visitors with limited mobility. Accessible toilets and baby-changing facilities are in the car park. Dogs on leads are welcome throughout; assistance dogs also welcome.
Inside Warkworth Castle: what to see
Warkworth was the principal stronghold of the Percy family, Earls of Northumberland, and is associated with Sir Henry ‘Hotspur’ Percy, immortalised in Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part I. The near-intact circuit of walls encloses the 15th-century keep. On the second floor, the Duke’s Rooms — furnished and staffed by volunteer guides — open on selected days in summer. Interactive character trails use sculptures and listening posts to guide visitors around the grounds following figures from the castle’s early 15th-century history. A free audio guide is included with admission; the castle is also on the Bloomberg Connects app.
The Hermitage (selected days only, extra charge) is a tiny chapel carved directly into the rock, reached by a half-mile riverside walk and rowing-boat ferry crossing. There is no café; a vending machine and small shop sell hot drinks and snacks. Picnics are welcome in the grounds.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Bus discount | Arriving by Arriva X18, Travelsure 472, or Glen Valley bus gives 20% off walk-up admission. Show your bus ticket at the entrance. |
| Super Saver day pattern | The cheapest rate applies Sun–Thu outside peak summer — the reverse of most English Heritage sites. Check the pricing calendar before booking. |
| Check Hermitage opening | The Hermitage opens selected days only and carries an extra charge. Confirm on the English Heritage website before travelling. |
| Parking refund | Non-members pay to park but the charge is refunded on castle admission. Keep your parking ticket. |
| No café on site | Bring a picnic — it is welcome anywhere in the grounds — or eat in Warkworth village beforehand. |
Frequently asked questions about Warkworth Castle
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Hermitage included in the castle ticket? | No. It carries a separate extra charge and is open on selected days only between late March and late October. |
| Are dogs allowed at Warkworth Castle? | Yes. Dogs on leads are welcome throughout the site. A water bowl is available on site. |
| Is Warkworth Castle accessible for wheelchair users? | Only partially. The grounds are accessible with assistance, but the keep and upper levels require steep staircases and the Hermitage is not accessible. |
| Is Warkworth Castle free for English Heritage members? | Yes. Members also park free and can bring up to six children free. |
| Is Warkworth Castle open on Sundays? | Yes, throughout the year except 24–26 December. |
| How do I get a discount on admission? | Arriving by Arriva X18, Travelsure 472, or Glen Valley bus gives 20% off walk-up tickets. English Heritage members enter free. |
Things to do near Warkworth Castle
Alnwick Castle (7.5 miles north) is a major attraction and Harry Potter filming location, open seasonally. Dunstanburgh Castle (English Heritage, ~10 miles north) is a ruined coastal fortress accessible only on foot. Bamburgh Castle (22 miles north) is a privately owned coastal castle in a sensational setting. Warkworth Beach is free and 20 minutes’ walk from the village. Amble (1.5 miles) has a harbour and seasonal Puffin Cruises to Coquet Island.
More Northumberland travel
Other Northumberland travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- What to expect when visiting Chesters Roman Fort on Hadrian’s Wall.
- Planning a visit to Housesteads Roman Fort on Hadrian’s Wall.
- Lindisfarne Priory visitor tips.
- Kielder Observatory visitor guide.
- Seals, saints and stars on a journey around Northumberland.
