Mont Orgueil Castle
Medieval castle above Gorey Harbour with towers, staircases and battlements, artworks in the Great Hall and views across the bay to France.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Mont Orgueil stands on a rock above Gorey Harbour on Jersey’s east coast, on a site that was already fortified in prehistoric times. Building of the present castle began in 1204. It received its name Mont Orgueil only in 1462, during a period of French occupation in the Wars of the Roses.
The castle was extended and refurbished several times and was substantially refortified in the late 15th and 16th centuries as an artillery fortress. With cliffs on three sides and the sea on the fourth it was well placed to defend, but the medieval walls could not keep pace with gunpowder and cannon. By 1600 Elizabeth Castle had replaced it as the centre of military power on the island.
Today the castle is a symbol of Jersey’s identity and of its long link with the English Crown. Visitors climb almost 200 steps through a network of staircases, towers and hidden rooms to the top, where there are views over the coast and across to France. Specially commissioned artworks tell stories of castle life, and the Medieval Great Hall holds two works by Chris Levine and Rob Munday made to mark Jersey’s relationship with the monarchy.
Highlights
- Network of staircases, towers and hidden rooms with almost 200 steps to the top
- Battlements with wooden soldiers and views of the coast and France
- Light artworks “The Queen” and “Equanimity” in the Medieval Great Hall
- Medieval “wheel of urine” in the turrets and “the witches in hell” in the cellars
- Castle café with outdoor terrace overlooking Gorey Bay
Permanent exhibitions
- Medieval Great Hall with “The Queen” and “Equanimity” – Two works by artist Chris Levine and holographer Rob Munday, made to celebrate Jersey’s relationship with the monarchy.
- Castle life through commissioned artworks – Specially commissioned artworks in towers, turrets and cellars illustrate hidden treasures and grim stories of life in the castle.
- Founded
- 1204
- Operated by
- Jersey Heritage
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £19.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | £18.50Seniors (65+) |
| Children & teens | £11.45free up to age 5 · Children aged 6–15 and students; children under 11 must be accompanied by an adult or responsible person aged 16 or over. |
| Seniors | £18.50Aged 65 and over |
| Visitors with disabilities | £19.50companion free · Disabled visitors pay the normal admission; up to two carers enter free. |
| Students & apprentices | £11.45 |
| Groups (10+ people) | £16.60 per personAdult price for pre-booked groups of 10 or more adults or seniors (seniors £15.75, children and students £11.45); no booking is needed for smaller groups. |
| Families | £55.952 adults and 2 children or students |
Prices for 2026. Jersey Heritage members enter free. The 7-day Heritage Pass gives unlimited entry to Jersey Heritage visitor sites. Members of the Société Jersiaise, Museums Association, ICOM, Friends of Manx National Heritage and holders of the Muséopass of the Réseau des Musées de Normandie enter free.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: not available
- 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 castle has many staircases and no lift, and the ground outside is uneven. A free, bookable stair climber lets visitors with a non-electric wheelchair (combined weight up to 150 kg) or limited mobility reach the upper levels; a wheelchair is available on site. The reception has a granite ramp and automatic doors, there is an accessible unisex toilet (on a slope), a hearing loop at reception, seating throughout and a quiet space. Of the two walking routes up, a step-free brick path takes about five minutes. A visual story and an access statement are published on the Jersey Heritage website.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 5 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | £55.95 · 2 adults and 2 children or students |
- Baby changing facilities
Family ticket available. The towers, staircases and hidden rooms suit exploring children; the many steps should be kept in mind for visits with pushchairs.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Bus routes 1, 1a, 2 and 13; cycle routes 1 and 3.
By car
Parking available
Disc and pay-card parking at Gorey Harbour and on Gorey Coast Road; a free public car park at Long Beach. About 10 on-street spaces, one of them for disabled visitors, are at the top of the hill on the approach.
- Accessible parking
Pedestrian access is from La P’tite Ruelle Muchie, from Gorey Harbour Pier and through the main entrance at Castle Green, off La Route de la Côte. There is no coach parking on site.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant: not available
- Museum shop
- Wi-Fi
Castle Café with outdoor seating and counter service; closed from 1 November until March (reopens 26 March 2027). Gift shop at the entrance, Wi-Fi available on site, cycle racks.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Volunteer guides run tours of the castle. Private guided tours of about one hour can be booked in advance for £120 per tour. A leaflet (£1) and a visitor booklet (£1, English, French and German) are sold at the entrance; a film is shown in English with French and German subtitles. Dogs are not allowed, except assistance dogs. Schools and educational groups contact the Jersey Heritage education team. |
