Brougham Castle
Penrith, Cumbria
A red sandstone keep guarding a river crossing near Penrith, with level grass inside the walls, though your dog is not allowed on the private land by the river.
Climb the keep, that is the reason to come. Brougham Castle stands in red sandstone beside the river near the site of a Roman fort, guarding a strategic crossing on the road north. Robert de Vieuxpont, King John's agent, founded it in the early 13th century as a barrier against Scots invasion, and the powerful Clifford family added the unusual double gatehouse and the Tower of League.
As you take the spiral stairs to the top of the keep for a full panorama over the Eden Valley, your dog has a good amount of level grass inside the walls in a quiet spot just outside Penrith.
Two things to note. Dogs on leads are welcome, but they are specifically not allowed on the private land by the river, so keep to the castle grounds. And there is no parking on site at all, only limited roadside space nearby, which fills in summer. Once you are in there is a café, shop, toilets, exhibition and picnic seating.
At a Glance
- Dog Access
- On-lead in the grounds
- Dogs on leads are welcome. Please note that they are not allowed on the private land by the river.
- Site Type
- Castle & Fort
- Entry
- £8.50 adult
- £4.25 child · £21.25 family
- Members
- Free for English Heritage members
- Facilities
- Café / restaurant, Exhibition, Gardens, Parking, Picnic seating, Shop, Toilets, Wheelchair access
- Telephone
- 01768 862488
- Parking
- No parking on site. Roadside parking possible nearby.
English Heritage Membership
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Planning Your Visit
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Thursday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Friday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Saturday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Sunday
- 10:00 - 17:00
Opening times and prices were checked on 26 August 2026 and are subject to change, and some sites close for events or over winter. Confirm on the English Heritage site page before you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brougham Castle dog friendly?
Yes, dogs are welcome at Brougham Castle, and there's a good amount of level grass inside the walls for them to enjoy. They do need to be kept on leads throughout the site, and it's worth knowing that the private land by the river is off limits to dogs, so you'll need to stick to the castle grounds.
Are dogs allowed at Brougham Castle year round?
The listing doesn't specify any seasonal restrictions on dogs, so they appear to be welcome whenever the castle is open. That said, it's always worth checking current opening times with English Heritage before you set off, especially outside peak season.
What should I know before visiting Brougham Castle with my dog?
The most important thing is that dogs are not permitted on the private land beside the river, so keep within the castle grounds during your visit. Parking is also something to plan ahead for — there's no on-site car park, only limited roadside space nearby which can fill up quickly in summer, so an early arrival is a good idea.
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