Goodrich Castle
Ross on Wye, Herefordshire
A near perfect medieval castle above the Wye, and one of the very few where your dog is welcome indoors as well as out, so nobody waits at the gate.
Goodrich is about as complete as a medieval castle gets in England. It guarded a strategic crossing of the River Wye from its foundation in the late 11th century, and it survives with curtain walls, towers, gatehouse and inner buildings largely legible, so it reads as a castle rather than a set of fragments.
As you descend into the pitch dark dungeon and climb the steep stairway to the top of the keep for long views over the Wye valley, your dog can come too, which is what makes this one stand out. Dogs on leads are welcome throughout the site, including indoor spaces, which is rare and means nobody has to wait outside.
Getting there involves a pleasant 400 metre walk from the large car park by the visitor centre and tearoom, free for members. There is a café, shop, toilets, exhibition and picnic seating, and a family game from the ticket office. The Wye valley walks around Symonds Yat are nearby. The keep stairway is steep and the dungeon has uneven footing, so a smaller or older dog may be better left in the bailey with someone.
At a Glance
- Dog Access
- On-lead in the grounds
- Dogs on leads are welcome throughout the site, including indoor spaces.
- Site Type
- Castle & Fort
- Entry
- £11.90 adult
- £5.95 child · £29.75 family
- Members
- Free for English Heritage members
- Facilities
- Café / restaurant, Exhibition, Gardens, Parking, Picnic seating, Shop, Toilets
- Telephone
- 01600 890538
- Parking
- There’s a large car park near the visitor centre and tearoom a pleasant 400m walk from the castle. Parking is free for English Heritage members displaying a valid car sticker; non-members must pay (a charge of £4 applies).
English Heritage Membership
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Entry here is £11.90 for an adult. English Heritage Membership covers it, along with free entry to 170+ dog friendly attractions across England.
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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.
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What’s Nearby?
Goodrich Castle and the River Wye at Ross
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A Wye riverside walk below the red sandstone bluffs of Goodrich Castle — river access, a dramatic medieval ruin, and an iron-rich landscape with a character all its own.
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