Dean Castle

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Dean Castle and Country Park is one of Ayrshire’s greatest free attractions. Dean Castle is steeped in history and displays with historic weapons, armour and early musical instruments, Dean Castle was once the home of the powerful Boyd family and when you visit you’ll find out about their connections with William Wallace and Robert the Bruce!

Explore some of the castle and its grounds at your own pace, or take one of the free guided tours to see the rest of the rooms and displays. There is plenty to see and do. Once you’ve tried on armour, wielded a sword or played a musical instrument you could start a battle in our play area’s toy castle.

The 8th Lord Howard de Walden inherited Dean Castle in 1899. He was a man of many talents and interests, one of which was fencing. It isn’t surprising then that he developed a keen interest in arms and armour and during his life he built up one of the country’s finest collections of Arms and Armour which are now housed within Dean Castle.

Guided tours

The Cellar	The Great Hall	The Minstrel’s Gallery	The Solar
Once the kitchen for the Great Hall above, and now used to explain the history of the Castle and its inhabitants.	The centrepiece of our displays, where you’ll find a wide range of swords, helmets, shields and suits of armour. Find out what it’s like to wear real armour or brandish a broadsword. Are you brave enough to look inside the dungeon? Keep an eye out for our resident ghosts!	Where travelling entertainers played to the Lords and Ladies below. Try playing one of our replica musical instruments to entertain today’s visitors.	You’ll find our rare and important collection of early musical instruments on display in the Solar, the private chambers and chapel of the Lords and Ladies.
The Medieval Kitchen	The Banqueting Hall	William Boyd’s Chamber	Textile Team
Learn about the life of the people that worked in the kitchen and the food they prepared and ate.	Our beautiful wood-panelled Banqueting Hall is also a regularly changing exhibitions space.	One of the oldest parts of the Palace, Lord William Boyd watches over you as you visit his private room. Legend had it that after his beheading at the Tower of London in 1746 his head was carried back to Dean Castle...	Wednesdays throughout the year Meet the Dean Castle Textile Team, a group of local embroiderers and weavers who are working on restoring historic textiles, as well as creating replica clothes.

The Country Park

The Country Park boasts beautiful woodland walks, adventure playground, pets corner, visitor centre, tearoom, shop and a fantastic 14th century castle housing world class collections including historic weapons, armour and musical instruments.

Explore the park using scenic paths and trails - each season brings with it ever changing plants and wildlife that you might spy along the way.

Visit our urban farm area and meet some of the residents– Bruno, Lucy and Murron the kune kune pigs, highland cattle, our fallow deer herd, new family of llamas and let’s not forget old favourites - Scott the Clydesdale and Timmy and Pip the donkeys.

Take part in some fun environmental education with the resident Ranger Service who will also answer any natural history related questions that you may have or participate in a wide range of events throughout the year.

Use the links opposite to find out more about more about the exhibitions and displays, events and much more. 

Opening hours

The country park is open all year round.

Castle Museum and Visitor Centre:

• April - September: 11am - 5pm daily
• October - March: 10am - 4pm Wednesday to Sunday

 

 

Contact Information