Latest Updates
Dean Castle
Venue Details
-
Contact Details
Dean Castle Country Park
Dean Road, Kilmarnock
KA3 1XB
Enquiries:
Call
info@eastayrshireleisure.com
For School Or Groups:
info@eastayrshireleisure.com -
Opening Hours
- Sunday: Closed for Restoration. Country Park remains open
- Monday: Closed for Restoration. Country Park remains open
- Tuesday: Closed for Restoration. Country Park remains open
- Wednesday: Closed for Restoration. Country Park remains open
- Thursday: Closed for Restoration. Country Park remains open
- Friday: Closed for Restoration. Country Park remains open
- Saturday: Closed for Restoration. Country Park remains open
-
Facilities
- Car Parking
- Limited access
Major repair and refurbishment works are underway at Dean Castle. The Castle's collections of early musical instruments, arms and armour and tapestries have been taken to the Dick Institute for safe-keeping and display. The Castle Collections display is free to visit - opening times of the Dick Institute can be found here
The Castle was originally due to re-open in 2021 but due to the pandemic, it will now re-open in 2022 and we will continue to update the page as work continues and more information is available.
Dean Castle was the home and stronghold of the Boyd family for over 400 years. The Keep, dating to around 1350 will house outstanding displays that tell the story of the Boyd family and medieval life, as well as East Ayrshire’s stunning collection of arms and armour, once restoration is complete.
The 15th century Palace was spectacularly rebuilt from ruins by the 8th Lord Howard de Walden in the 1930s. The result is a sensitive restoration in keeping with the interior design of the 16th and 17th centuries and even re-using original 17th century fixtures and fittings taken from Balfour House, Fife. This building will tell the stories of the Howard de Walden family and showcase an internationally significant collection of medieval musical instruments
The Project
East Ayrshire Council, supported by East Ayrshire Leisure, were awarded £1.5m from Heritage Lottery Fund towards the restoration and modernisation of Dean Castle. The project has a total cost of £5.2m, with funding of £500k also secured from Historic Environment Scotland, and the remainder coming from East Ayrshire Council.
Outlander
If you are a fan of Outlander then a visit to Dean Castle when it re-opens is a must as it was used as the location of Beaufort Castle in S2 of the hit TV series.
Venue Details
-
Contact Details
Dean Castle Country Park
Dean Road, Kilmarnock
KA3 1XB
Enquiries:
Call
info@eastayrshireleisure.com
For School Or Groups:
info@eastayrshireleisure.com -
Opening Hours
- Sunday: Closed for Restoration. Country Park remains open
- Monday: Closed for Restoration. Country Park remains open
- Tuesday: Closed for Restoration. Country Park remains open
- Wednesday: Closed for Restoration. Country Park remains open
- Thursday: Closed for Restoration. Country Park remains open
- Friday: Closed for Restoration. Country Park remains open
- Saturday: Closed for Restoration. Country Park remains open
-
Facilities
- Car Parking
- Limited access
BY CAR
From the North and South (Glasgow and Prestwick Airports). From A77, take the B7038 turn off,
follow the B7038/Glasgow Road towards the town centre and turn left onto Dean Road. The main
car park is on the left.
ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Dean Castle Country Park is a 15 minute walk from Kilmarnock Train Station or a 5 minute walk from
the X76 Kilmarnock-Glasgow bus route. Alight on Glasgow Road, Kilmarnock, then follow Dean Road
to the Country Park.
BY BIKE
Dean Castle Country Park is on the National Cycle Network. Use Route 73 to get here.
DISABLED VISITORS & BLUE BADGE HOLDERS.
Disabled parking is available
