Balmoral Castle

About the museum

Balmoral has been the Highland home of the British Royal Family since Queen Victoria and Prince Albert bought the estate in 1852. The original building was a sixteenth-century tower house, which was too small for their family, so a new castle was commissioned. Designed by the Aberdeen architect William Smith, it had its foundation stone laid by Queen Victoria in September 1853 and was built by hand from local materials in about three years.

The castle and its grounds have since seen many monarchs, events and celebrations. Prince Albert supervised the early development of the gardens, and King Charles III has led new projects there, including a Thistle Maze garden. Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral on 8 September 2022.

Under King Charles III and Queen Camilla the estate has expanded public access. On 1 July 2024 the castle opened its interior to visitors for the first time, through ticketed tours on selected dates. Today visitors can explore the grounds and gardens, enter the Castle Ballroom, where the annual Ghillies Ball takes place, and see exhibitions in the Ballroom during the summer season. A restaurant using produce from the estate gardens, a gift shop in the former stables and ranger-led Land Rover expedition tours complete the offer.

Highlights

• Castle Ballroom, venue of the annual Ghillies Ball
• Historic gardens with the Thistle Maze
• Interior guided tours of the castle on selected dates
• Land Rover expedition tours with rangers
• Mews Gift Shop in the former stables and estate restaurant

Permanent exhibitions

• Castle Ballroom – The ballroom where the Ghillies Ball is held each year is included in general admission and hosts exhibitions in the summer season.
• Gardens – Historic gardens developed under Prince Albert and extended under King Charles III, with a Thistle Maze.

Founded

1390

Operated by

Balmoral Estates

Admission & discounts

General admission (including the Castle Ballroom) costs £10 for adults until 1 November 2026, with children free. From 4 November 2026 admission is free and no ticket is needed. Interior castle tours and expedition tours are booked separately. Parking costs £6 (motorhome overnight £12).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The gate lodge, restaurant, gift shop and ballroom included in general admission can be reached by ramp. Free mobility scooters are available at the gift shop without booking. Accessible toilets are at the Crathie Gallery and in the restaurant. Blue Badge holders can park inside the estate on request at the main gates. In winter weather some paths may close. Dogs on leads are welcome in the grounds.

Kids & families

The restaurant offers a children’s menu and children are admitted free while the autumn admission charge applies.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

Restaurant open daily 10am to 4pm with estate produce, a children’s menu and vegetarian and gluten-free options; Mews Gift Shop in a former stable block. Public Wi-Fi is available on the estate but is not always reliable in the grounds.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit