Lulworth Castle

This is well worth a visit, shell of a building but reroofed, visit both churches, entrance staff explain several points of the building, very helpful.

I have just got back from visiting this wonderful castle (stopped off en route to Lulworth Cove nearby). When I saw the £5 entry (per person) on top of the £3 car park charge we nearly didn’t bother, but we decided to give it a go (the entrance hall really does draw you in!) and I’m so glad we did!
The history of the castle is very interesting, when you approach the building you don’t expect it to be virtually completely hollowed out inside due to a massive fire at the turn of the 20^th Century (you can find out all about the fire as part of the exhibit).
Despite the lack of original features, this place has lots to offer the visitor and the way the building has been restored allows you to stand in the main hall and see every floor (with doorways that lead to nowhere now that the fire destroyed all the levels). It’s hard to describe, but a very unusual way to see the building structure (look like a work in progress on Grand Designs!).
After you’ve seen the grand hall, take a trip up the metal staircase and check out the views from one of the towers and then head to the basement where the majority of the exhibition is based (lots of original artefacts and information).
Luckily, I think the café that the last reviewer referred to has now been closed down as all of the signs there now direct you only to ‘Past and Presents’ (very) nearby, which is a lovely gift shop and café.
The grounds of this building are lovely too and if the weather is good it’s perfect for a picnic!
Well worth a visit.

Loved the castle and grounds.
But I feel I have to warn people about the café in site, just don’t go in there.
The prices are extortionate and the food is awful, the staff don’t seem to want to work there. I only had drinks and a snack, the drinks were spilt all over the counter and the sausage roll was solid (over microwaved). We saw people going back with food that was no good, and people going back with orders the staff had lost.
If you want drinks/​snacks there is a lovely café round the corner at reasonable prices called Past & Presents. It’s BH20 5QQ.

This is a terrific place to visit, there’s loads to see and do. When we went there was a medieval pageant happening with jousting and various other stalls. The animal farm is worth a visit, and the castle itself is fascinating, with wonderful views across the countryside from the top. I do have to agree with a previous reviewer that food is pricey-​this is often the case with such places and we always allow for it by packing a picnic.

Some might think taking your kids to a 17^th-​century castle would be boring. wrong, this was one of the best days out my family had on holiday. The castle its self is amazing and so much history. yes some of the history went over the kids heads but then we heard about the ghosts !. We went in october and had a ghost story in the basement, read by two frindly ghosts. easter, christmas or any calander holiday they have something going on with there resident actors.
Included in he price of the ticket is a pass to the castles amimal farm. lots of lovely animals for the kids to pet and feed. (Take your wellys)
A few miles away from Lulworth Castle is the Village of Lulworth. This is well worth a visit after the castle. it has a lovely cove, just amazing. the villiage reminded me of the tv program Dc Martian.
My only down side was the price of food in the castle café. take a packed lunch to save the pennys for ice creams in the village.

Lulworth castle is a 17^th century hunting lodge with a long history. It is set in a beatiful park with a small animal farm.
We visited in October half term when they put on special activities for kids in the run up to Halloween. On offer were a bat hunt, spooky stories and face painting.
The castle burnt down in 1929 but has been made secure again, work having been done to a high standard. All of the floors have not been rebuilt but there’s still planty to see on the ground floor, in the basement and from the top of the tower.
We entered on the ground floor and each of the kids were given a treaure hunt sheet. There was provision for hanging up your coat. We then proceeded to explore all of the rooms, looking for the bats hanging here and there. There are around 20 rooms, most of which have a panel explaining their original purpose and about half have artefacts illustrating items that were used at various times during the castle’s occupancy.
In the basement there’s a kids activity centre with various things for them to do such as building an archway.
As well as the bats, there were some toy rats strategically placed to make nervous mums jump and squeal before realising they’re not real (fun for kids and Dads!).
There’s a metal staircase leading up one of the towers. From the top you get magnificent views of the surrounding countryside and of the sea.
Halfway between the castle and the car park sits the lodge and courtyard which has been converted into a shop and café. The food was good and well priced and the shop provided a good set of souvenirs.
We didn’t visit the park or see the animals but I expect these would further enhance a great day out with kids.
The local newspapers advertise various other events put on at the castle including concerts and plays.

Fabulous place!
The castle and estate occupy some 12 000 acresof olling parkland, woods and farms. It was all purchased by Humphrey Weld in 1641 and remains in the Weld family to this day.
The estate is set in the heart of Dorset, and the castle is standing a few miles from the coast, near Lulworth cove and Durdle Door. The coast from Poole westward is known as the Jurassic Coast due to the fossils dating back to that era.
Originally the castle was built as a hunting lodge and has played host to seven Monarchs. There was a severe fire in 1929, but the castle survived.
The Stable and Courtyard are now a licensed restaurant, there is a children’s adventure playground, and an animal Farm.
Weddings and private functions can be held here, and St Margaret’s Chapel is the first Catholic freestanding chapel o be built after the reformation.
Regular events go on here, such as gymkhanas, jousting contests, concerts, Easter Egg hunts, car and motor bike rallies etc.
Lots of stuff!