Please Note!

The Herstmonceux Castle Estate is now closed to the public until 1st April 2025.
Public access to the castle interior will be available via a guided tour once we reopen. We look forward to welcoming you then.

Upcoming Events

Wednesday 12th February 2pm

Our Place in the Universe (2) Satellite Constellations – A Cluttered and Noisy Sky
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Wednesday 8th January 2pm

Our Place in the Universe
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Featured Events
Experiences

Welcome to the Herstmonceux Castle Estate


Welcome to Bader College and the Gardens & Grounds of Herstmonceux Castle

During spring and summer, the Gardens and Grounds of Herstmonceux Castle are a popular attraction for national and international tourists. Herstmonceux Castle operates as the UK campus of Queen’s University (Canada), which hosts international students every year who come to England to study within this tranquil setting, learn more about our country and explore Europe.

Throughout the year Herstmonceux Castle hosts international students, tourists, conferences, events and weddings.

Learn more about what makes Herstmonceux Castle so unique.

Bader College is the international campus of Queen’s University, a leading university located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

Bader College offers both year and term-length programming for students at all levels of university study. Program offerings include Arts and Science, Law, Engineering Project Management, British Archaeology, Digital Humanities and Global Health and Disability. Students who study at Bader College are drawn from Queen’s University or from one of many partner institutions throughout Canada and the world.


Bader College is a vibrant learning community where students are encouraged to participate in co-curricular activity, faculty are deeply engaged in research that is at the cutting-edge of their discipline and several international academic conferences are held annually. Bader College prides itself in its small class-sizes with close faculty-student interaction-providing students with the knowledge and skills to progress to further education or careers with confidence, intelligence and ambition.

For more information visit…

Further information

Check here for current vacancies

At this time there are no vacancies.

300 acres of woodland and formal themed gardens

Bader College operates as the UK campus of Queen’s University, which is a top Canadian university located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Bader College offers both year and term-length programming for students at all levels of university study. Program offerings include Arts and Science, Law, Engineering Project Management, British Archaeology, Digital Humanities and Global Health and Disability. Students who study at Bader College are drawn from Queen’s University or from one of many partner institutions throughout Canada and the world.

Bader College is a vibrant learning community where students are encouraged to participate in co-curricular activity, faculty are deeply engaged in research that is at the cutting-edge of their discipline and several international academic conferences are held annually. Bader College prides itself in its small class-sizes with close faculty-student interaction-providing students with the knowledge and skills to progress to further education or careers with confidence, intelligence and ambition.

For more information visit…

300 acres of woodland with formal and themed gardens

Q. How is Herstmonceux pronounced?
Herst-Mon-Zoo

Q. Can we go inside the castle?
The castle is not freely open to the public, however we do conduct regular tours. Please visit our Castle Tour page where you can find out more information.

Q. Are your gardens easily accessible?
We aim to make our gardens as accessible as possible, however some areas do have steps or uneven ground. Poor weather can also affect how easily areas are accessed. If you are worried at all, please contact us directly and we will happily explain over the phone or via email.

Q. Do you allow dogs?
You can access all areas of the gardens and grounds with your dog. We politely ask owners to keep their dogs on a lead. A water bowl for your dog is kept outside Chestnut tea rooms.

Q. Do you have a Season Ticket?
Yes, our season tickets have always been very popular. From 1st April 2025, we will move to a membership system where you can become a member for an annual fee. This will give you access to unlimited visits to the Herstmonceux Castle Estate for the membership period and other membership benefits.

Q. Are your gardens always full of flowers?
It entirely depends on the season. In spring, you can expect early flowers such as snowdrops, bluebells, and daffodils, and then a little later, we have tulips, roses, and many other trees and flowers in bloom.

Q. Do we allow picnics in the grounds?
We do, there are a benches around the grounds but otherwise please feel free to bring your own blanket or even table and chairs. Please note that we do not allow barbecues.

Q. Do we have wheelchairs available and how to book?
We have 2 manual wheelchairs available on a first come first served basis. They can be requested on arrival from Castle Reception or can be reserved prior to your visit by calling 01323 833816.

Q. Do we offer any discount for carers?
We ask that you pay the normal daily concession rate and admit the person in your care free of charge.

Q. Can we visit Chestnut tearooms without paying entry?
A. Chestnuts is located within the grounds so the daily admission rate would apply.

Q. Can we take photographs in the castle during the guided tour?
Photography is permitted for personal and non-commercial use within the castle and grounds. We ask that you do not to take photographs of students or staff.

Q. Can we fly drones around the gardens and grounds.
Drone flying can scare the wildlife around our estate, can be dangerous overhead and negatively impact on peoples visit. If you would like to approach us for something planned and organised then please review our Drone Policy which also states a point of contact.

A Brief History of Herstmonceux Castle

Herstmonceux Castle sits at the mouth of a small valley facing south over the Pevensey Levels to the sea, presently about seven kilometres away. Before Roman times, however, the Levels themselves were marshlands. During the Roman period and as late as the Norman invasion, these marshes were in flood and an inlet of the sea came up almost to the present site of the castle. During the thirteenth century a series of great storms, recorded by many contemporary chroniclers, accelerated the gradual silting up of the area. This, combined with increased artificial draining of the marshes, began to form the landscape we can see today.






A great location for film, tv, video and photo shoots.

Herstmonceux Castle is the stunning centrepiece of a beautiful 300 acre estate that encompasses woodland, parkland, and fields together with themed gardens and a small lake.

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Take a look at our upcoming events


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Exclusive experiences to enjoy only at Herstmonceux Castle.


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