Key facts
- Operator
- English Heritage
- Condition
- Partial ruin
- Access
- Free, open access
Pinpoint
Donnington Castle Farm Cottage, Castle Ln, Donnington, Newbury RG14 2LE
Telephone 0370 333 1181
Website www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/donnington-castle
Possible Opening hours
Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Thursday | 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Friday | 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Saturday | 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Sunday | 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
The twin-towered gatehouse is the only substantial survivor of a manor-house castle held for the King through repeated sieges in the Civil War - the rest of the site is earthworks rather than walls. English Heritage keeps it free and unstaffed, with information boards filling in the history, and reviewers rate the view from the top highly.
Worth the trip
The gatehouse itself - two drum towers still standing to nearly full height, a rare survival on an otherwise earthwork site.
Before you go
Reviewers flag it as a steep climb not well suited to wheelchair users or limited mobility, though parking is free and close to the entrance.
Reviewers consistently highlight the steep uphill walk to reach the ruins, with several calling the views from the top spectacular and well worth the climb. The intact gatehouse and English Heritage information boards are praised for bringing the site's civil war history to life. A couple of visitors note the climb makes the site unsuitable for those with mobility issues, though parking near the entrance is described as convenient.
Twin-towered gatehouse survives amid earthworks
“Delightful castle outside Newbury. Has connections with the historic village of Harwell through the Black Prince. Go on a nice day and enjoy the scenery.”— Anthony Langrish, visitor review
