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: 10am-4pm. FREE ENTRY. Last entry 3.30pm
- Monday: 11am - 3pm. FREE ENTRY. Last entry 2.30pm
- Tuesday: 11am - 3pm. FREE ENTRY. Last entry 2.30pm
- Wednesday: 11am - 3pm. FREE ENTRY. Last entry 2.30pm
- Thursday: 11am - 3pm. FREE ENTRY. Last entry 2.30pm
- Friday: 11am - 3pm. FREE ENTRY. Last entry 2.30pm
- Saturday: 10am-4pm. FREE ENTRY. Last entry 3.30pm
-
Facilities
- Wheelchair Access
- Car Parking
- Gift Shop
- Limited access
Dean Castle
Dean Castle sits within the stunning grounds of Dean Castle Country Park and was the home and stronghold of the Boyd Family for over 400 years. It was inherited by the 8th Lord Howard de Walden in 1899 who restored the buildings which had lain in ruins since a fire in 1735.
The Keep, dating from around 1350 and restored in 1908, houses 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
The 15th century Palace rebuilt from ruins by the 8th Lord Howard de Walden in the 1930s. This building explores the Howard de Walden family and showcases East Ayrshire’s internationally significant collection of medieval musical instruments.
From the exquisite craftsmanship and rarity of the musical instrument collection to the Viking sword that fires the imagination, the Dean Castle collections - as well as the Castle itself – represents over 1,000 years of the history of Ayrshire, its people and the story of Scotland.
Entry to the Castle and Country Park is free and is a great way to spend a day out for all ages.
Click here to read more about the Castle and Country Park
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: 10am-4pm. FREE ENTRY. Last entry 3.30pm
- Monday: 11am - 3pm. FREE ENTRY. Last entry 2.30pm
- Tuesday: 11am - 3pm. FREE ENTRY. Last entry 2.30pm
- Wednesday: 11am - 3pm. FREE ENTRY. Last entry 2.30pm
- Thursday: 11am - 3pm. FREE ENTRY. Last entry 2.30pm
- Friday: 11am - 3pm. FREE ENTRY. Last entry 2.30pm
- Saturday: 10am-4pm. FREE ENTRY. Last entry 3.30pm
-
Facilities
- Wheelchair Access
- Car Parking
- Gift Shop
- 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. Postcode for Sat Nav - KA3 1XB
ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Dean Castle Country Park is a 15 minute walk from Kilmarnock Train Station and main bus terminal 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
ACCESS INFORMATION
The main entrance to the Castle courtyard is flat, with a mixture of surfaces, flagstone and tarmac. It is 400m from car park to courtyard, with benches along the flat route. There is disabled parking to the rear of the castle, from car park to entrance is 50m over tarmac. There is a 1.0 gradient to the courtyard. There is ramp access to the ground floor of the Keep and the Palace. In the Palace there is a fly through video showing the upper floors.
In the Keep, the Great Hall is accessed by a straight, stone staircase with a solid handrail. The Minstrels Gallery and above are accessed by a narrow spiral stone staircase with a rope that can be used for balance. Some of the stairs are worn. There are low stone benches in the Great Hall.
In the Palace, the Banqueting Hall is accessed by a wide spiral stone staircase with a solid handrail. Some of the stairs are worn. There are cushioned benches in the Banqueting Hall. The Lord’s Chamber is off the Banqueting hall down a narrow corridor.
Some parts of the Castle have low lighting to protect our delicate collections.
