Rockingham Castle
Norman castle commissioned by William the Conqueror and home to the Saunders-Watson family.
Northamptonshire, LE16 8TH
Facilities
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Accessible loos
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Accessible parking
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Cafe / restaurant
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Easily accessible without car
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Free parking
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Mostly wheelchair accessible
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Pet friendly
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Picnic area
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Shop
Full details of accessibility arrangements at Rockingham Castle can be found on our website under the accessibility tab.
Rockingham Castle has stood on this wonderful escarpment position for almost 950 years.
There are very few homes that have been owned by just one family since being relinquished as a royal Castle. Whether it is images of Knights in shining armour, a Tudor house, a Victorian home staffed with servants, or contemporary art, Rockingham has it all.
Important information: opening info is generated by artificial intelligence; check specific attraction details before travelling.
The indicator above will show ‘open’ when the public have any kind of access to any part of this property. That could be the park, a shop, or a special event, and may not reflect regular admission times to the main attraction. Always consult the website of the house or garden you intend to visit before travelling to check that the attraction you are interested in is open.
Rockingham Castle is a historic site with a rich history spanning nearly 1000 years. It is currently a family home and offers visitors a chance to explore its grounds, gardens, and interior spaces.
Opening Times: The Castle and Grounds are currently closed except for special events. Visitors are encouraged to check the events schedule and pre-book tickets for any upcoming events.
Special Events:
- Festive Wreath Making: Held on Tuesday, 2nd December and Wednesday, 3rd December, with four workshops across two days. These workshops take place in Walker’s House Tea Room and are guided by the gardens team.
- A Christmas Carol – A Ghost Story: Performed on Thursday, 4th December at 2 PM and 7:30 PM. This event is presented by Rockingham Castle and the University of Northampton, featuring graduating students of BA Acting for Contemporary and Devised Performance.
Accessibility: Rockingham Castle provides various facilities to accommodate visitors with mobility issues, including accessible parking, ramps, and handrails. However, some areas, such as the Long Gallery and Salvin’s Tower, are not accessible to wheelchair users. Assistance dogs are welcome, and carers can receive complimentary tickets when accompanying visitors who require support.
Tickets: Tickets can be purchased online or at the ticket office. Pre-booking is recommended to avoid disappointment. Complimentary outside tours are available on regular open days, included in standard admission tickets.
Visitor Information: The Castle offers a variety of attractions, including the Servant’s Hall, the Great Hall, the Naval Lobby, and the formal gardens. The gardens feature terraces, a rose garden, and a wild garden with a children’s trail.
For more details, visitors can contact the estate office or refer to the provided accessibility and ticketing information.
Historic Houses members visit for free.
House & Garden
Adult – £18.50
Senior – £17.00
Student – £17.00
Child (4-16) – £11.00
Child (0-3) – Free
Family – (2 adults and up to 3 Children) – £48.00
Historic House members gain free entry to all standard open days. Free entry does not apply to special event days.
Gardens Only
Adult – £12.00
Senior – £11.50
Student – £11.50
Child (4-16) – £6.00
Child (0-3) – Free
Family – (2 adults and up to 3 Children) – £30.00
Historic House Members can book in advance if they wish, or can organise their tickets on arrival. In both cases they must provide their historic houses card on arrival to the ticket office to validate their entry.
PLEASE NOTE: Historic Houses members do not get free entry on special event days. Please see our website for full details of special event days.
Groups wishing to visit the house during public open days are welcome; on these occasions group visitors will join the public on a ‘free-flow’ basis.
Guided tours for groups are available on most days by appointment.
The minimum number for a group booking is 20 persons.
A school trip to Rockingham Castle provides a unique experience that could not be replicated in a school environment.
Our Castle tour usually covers all aspects of the Castle’s history as appropriate to the ages of the group. However, we tailor our tours to your needs therefore special emphasis on a particular period can be arranged.
Contact us for more information:
01536 770240
Full details of accessibility arrangements at Rockingham Castle can be found on our website under the accessibility tab.
Getting here
Northamptonshire, LE16 8TH
Located 2 miles north of Corby, 9 miles east of Market Harborough.
There is a regular train service from London St Pancras to Corby (3 miles),Kettering (8 miles) & Market Harborough (10 miles). The train journey takes approximately one hour. Taxis should be available at the stations.
Rockingham Castle: In Pictures
James Saunders Watson, owner of Rockingham Castle
This remarkable castle, built on the instruction of William the Conqueror, has been my family’s home for 450 years. The Castle is now home to my wife, Elizabeth and our children, all of whom enjoy the Castle as I did as a child. We hope you enjoy your visit.
Looking to visit Rockingham Castle?
Rockingham Castle is open from April to May, on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays. It’s also open from June to September, on Sundays, Tuesdays and Bank Holiday Mondays. See our Opening Times and Admissions tabs above for further information on dates and times in which you can visit the castle and its grounds. Historic Houses members enjoy free entry when showing their membership card at the gate.
If you’re interested in joining Historic Houses as a member, you can find out more about membership below. Members enjoy free access to almost three hundred independently owned historic houses across the UK for free using their membership card, as well as a quarterly magazine and monthly online lectures about the houses.
Other houses that members can visit nearby
Boughton House
Boughton House, Kettering, Northamptonshire, NN14 1BJ
Kelmarsh Hall
Main Road, Kelmarsh, Northampton, NN6 9LY
Deene Park
Corby, Northamptonshire, NN17 3EG
Become a Historic Houses member
Explore the nation’s heritage from just £68 per year.
Hundreds of the most beautiful historic houses, castles, and gardens across Britain offer our members free entry.
Also: receive a quarterly magazine, enjoy monthly online lectures, get exclusive invitations to buy tickets for behind-the-scenes tours, and take up a range of special offers on holidays, books, and other products you might like.