Balmoral Castle
Scottish residence of His Majesty The King and all monarchs since Victoria.
The Estates Office, Balmoral Estates, Ballater, Aberdeenshire, AB35 5TB
Facilities
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Accessible loos
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Accessible parking
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Bike storage facilities
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Cafe / restaurant
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Mostly wheelchair accessible
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Pet friendly
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Picnic area
During the autumn / winter tours mobility scooters are not available. However there is accessible parking by the Estate Office.
Accessible toilets available and assistance dogs welcome.
The foundation stone for Balmoral Castle was laid by Queen Victoria on 28th September 1853 and can be found at the foot of the wall adjacent to the West face of the entrance porch.
Before the foundation stone was placed in position Queen Victoria signed a parchment recording the date. This parchment, together with an example of each of the current coins of the realm, was then placed in a bottle, inserted into a cavity below the site prepared for the stone.
The Castle was completed in 1856 and the old building was then demolished. This building is commemorated by a stone which is located on the front lawn at a point opposite the tower and about 100 yards from the path. This stone marks the position of the front door to the demolished castle.
Please note: The information on the Historic Houses website is advisory, but please always check the website of the house or garden you intend to visit before travelling.
Free to visit as a Historic Houses member.
Please visit the website for the latest information on opening times.
The grounds are now open to the public on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until the end of February (1000 until 1600).
You will be able to enjoy a relaxed walk in the grounds, view the exterior of the Castle and also have an opportunity to visit the Mews Gift Shop and Cafe.
As admission is free of charge there is no requirement to book admission tickets to visit.
Please note that there is no access to the ballroom and the audio tour / mobility scooters are not available at this time.
The Pipers’ Hall facilities will be closed for remodelling. Due to this renovation work there are temporary toilet facilities in place and access will be restricted to certain areas.
Great Hall closed when the King is in residence.
The grounds, gardens, exhibitions, restaurant and gift shop are closed to the public when the King is in residence.
Historic House members are admitted free, but need to contact the castle in advance – see details here.
Adults: £17.50
Children (5 to 16 years): £9
Family Ticket (2 adults and up to 4 children): £38
Parking costs £5.
For autumn / winter opening groups can purchase parking ticket in the car park at Crathie (£10 charge at machine) or we can make arrangements for the coach to come through to park by the Estates Office (£25 charge at Estates Office / Gift Shop or can be paid in advance). If you wish to make the payment in advance of your visit please give us a call with card details and we can process the charges for you.
For further informaion please contact us by email on office@balmoralcastle.com or by telephone 01339 742534.
During the autumn / winter tours mobility scooters are not available. However there is accessible parking by the Estate Office.
Accessible toilets available and assistance dogs welcome.
Getting here
The Estates Office, Balmoral Estates, Ballater, Aberdeenshire, AB35 5TB
Balmoral is easy to find halfway between Ballater and Braemar on the A93. The nearest railway station and airport are located in Aberdeen, approximately 50 miles east of Balmoral.
To arrive by public transport please use the 201 Stagecoach service from Aberdeen.
When Queen Victoria died in 1901 Balmoral Estates passed, under the terms of her will, to King Edward VII, and from him to each of his successors. Balmoral Estates has been more than just a favourite home to successive generations of the Royal Family.
Although it remains largely the same as it was in Queen Victoria’s reign, successive Royal owners have followed the initiative of Prince Albert in making improvements to the estate. The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh and The Prince of Wales take a close personal interest in running and improving the Estates.
The Queen plants a tree for the Jubilee at Balmoral
As announced by the Royal Household, Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales will mark the start of the official planting season for The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) at the Balmoral Estate on Friday, 1st...
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