Find Scotland Tours that feature Tantallon Castle.
| Address: | near North Berwick, East Lothian, EH39 5PN Tel: 01620 892727 |
| Operated by: | Historic Scotland |
| Opening Hours: | 1 April - 30 September:, Monday to Sunday, 9.30 am to 5.30 pm 1 October - 31 March: open daily except Thursday and Friday; 9.30 am to 4.30 pm |
| Admission: | Adult £ 4.50, Child £ 2.25, Senior £ 3.50 |
| Parking: | Yes |
| Languages: | English guidebooks and information boards |
| Accessibility: | Ground floor access only as there are steep spiral staircases inside the castle |
| Toilets: | Yes, at ticket office |
| Shop: | Yes, there is a small shop at castle with a limited range of gifts & books |
| Cafe/Restaurant: | No, but the shop sells chilled drinks and ice creams. |
Tantallon Castle is a very unusual structure with an imposing front wall defending a clifftop position on a small peninsula.
The state that you see Tantallon Castle in today, is much as it would have looked after the seige of the castle in 1651 when Cromwell's army attacked the castle with artillery. It is still a very impressive building that looks like something that Tolkien might have invented.
As you approach Tantallon castle your first impressions are of a very battered and weather-worn "curtain" wall. Once you pass through the castle gate and view the castle from inside you discover that there is actually lots to be explored and the castle is more intact than you might have expected.
Either side of the central tower are two wings of 4 storey high defensive walls. You can climb spiral stairs to get excellent views from the battlements which overlook the Bass Rock and Berwick Law. Vertigo sufferers should be warned that the battlements are quite open and exposed.
Visitors also have access to the castle's dark and spooky pit prison and the remains of the Great Hall.
This is an excellent attraction with lots of corners to be explored. Children love the place as it is a giant medieval theme park for them and the shop sells plastic swords and Knights' helmets.
If you are interested in the history you will need to buy a guidebook (~£2.50) as the information boards are a bit brief on detail.
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Last Updated: 10/01/2008