Visiting Croft: what to expect from your visit

Arrival and parking

If you are a National Trust member please have your membership card close to hand as you arrive. Once you've parked, follow the signs to Visitor Reception where one of our friendly team members will provide you with the information you need to have a safe and enjoyable visit.

Feel free to pick up a map with information about our one-way routes or download one here.

You’re welcome to stay as long as you like until closing time at 5pm. The car park and gates will be locked shortly after. 

Staying safe

You’ll find sinks for hand washing in the toilets, as well as hand sanitiser on entry and exit.

Face coverings are recommended in enclosed, crowded areas. 

What can I see and do?

You can explore the gardens and go for a summery walk through the parkland. We have five different way-marked routes you can follow. Please remember to keep dogs on leads and under control as we have cattle and sheep grazing. Don't forget to pop to the tea-room for a takeaway snack or sit-down light meal and browse through pre-loved paperbacks in our second-hand bookshop. 

With the easing of government restrictions, the castle is now open to visitors. Please note the opening times for the castle are slightly different this year, to find out more on opening times click here.

Face coverings are recommended in enclosed, crowded areas. 

Play areas 

We're delighted to announce that the Castle Play Area will reopen on Saturday 3 July and the Natural Play Area on Saturday 10 July. Please remember to follow the guidelines to help keep everyone safe. 

Facilities

Toilets - including access and baby change facilities - are available near the tea-room. These are all sanitised by our team throughout the day.

The Carpenters tea-room is open from 10am to 5pm (last order at 4.45pm) serving a limited menu of hot drinks, cakes, light bites and jacket potatoes. We’ve introduced new safety measures including screens at our till and collection points and way-marked, one-way routes. We’re now accepting cash as well as card payment. On warm days and holidays, an additional ice cream kiosk will be open outside the tea room. 

The second hand bookshop is open daily.  All proceeds made in the bookshop go straight back into caring for Croft.

There are plenty of spots around the gardens and parkland for you to enjoy a picnic, as well as a few benches around the gardens. We hope you have a lovely visit.