Tattershall Castle

About the museum

A first stone castle was built at Tattershall in the 1230s. In the 15th century Ralph Cromwell, Treasurer of England, rebuilt it on a grand scale. The Great Tower he raised is one of the finest surviving examples of medieval brickwork in England, with huge Gothic fireplaces and church-like windows. It was designed to show off his wealth, position and power.

After Cromwell died in 1456 the castle passed to the Crown and later to the Earls of Lincoln, and it eventually fell into neglect. When it was put up for sale in 1910, an American buyer began to remove the great fireplaces to ship them abroad. Lord Curzon of Kedleston stepped in, bought the castle in 1911, had the fireplaces recovered and restored the tower. He left the castle to the National Trust when he died in 1925, and his experience at Tattershall also encouraged his support for the law protecting ancient monuments.

Today visitors can climb the winding staircase through the empty chambers of the tower to the battlements, where on a clear day the view reaches across the Lincolnshire countryside from the Fens to the Wolds. The grounds include a double moat and the last remains of the wider castle complex.

Highlights

• Great Tower of red brick with seven floors
• Huge Gothic fireplaces and church-like windows
• Historical graffiti in the tower
• Battlements with views of up to 18 miles on a clear day
• Double moat and the ruins of the wider castle

Permanent exhibition

• The Great Tower – A seven-storey brick keep with large fireplaces, a winding staircase and battlements, which can be explored from the basement to the roof.

Founded

1231

Operated by

National Trust

Admission & discounts

Prices are standard admission without Gift Aid; with Gift Aid the adult ticket costs £12.10, the child ticket £6.10 and the family ticket £30.30. Entry is free for National Trust members. No booking is needed for individual visits.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The Great Tower has 149 steps to the top and no lift to the upper floors. A ramp leads to the ground-floor parlour chamber, where an information folder with photographs of the upper floors is kept. The grounds have gravel paths and uneven grass, and on wedding days the ground floor of the tower is closed for about 90 minutes. The visitor reception building has ramped access and an induction loop. A drop-off point is available if requested by phone or email in advance. The accessible toilet is in the main toilet block at the end of an 80-metre gravel path. There is seating on all floors of the tower except the basement, roof and battlements. Only assistance dogs may enter the Great Tower.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

The National Trust describes the castle as a good place for families, with a tower to climb, space to play and picnic in the grounds, and seasonal trails such as a mice trail in autumn 2026.

Getting there & parking

The castle is 15 miles north-east of Sleaford and is reached from the A153 on the south-west side of Tattershall village. National Cycle Network route 1 passes within 1 mile.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

A small shop and a second-hand bookshop are in the visitor reception building, which also sells cold drinks and snacks. Toilets are about 80 metres from reception and there are none in the Great Tower. Dogs on short leads are welcome in the grounds.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 80 guests.

The castle is licensed for civil weddings and can hold up to 80 people.

Plan your visit