Longford Castle is an Elizabethan country house that was rebuilt in the triangular Swedish style during the 16th century. It is one of England’s most impressive stately homes but it is also one of its lesser-known, primarily because it is only open to the public for a short period each year.
The castle is the seat of William Pleydell-Bouverie, 9th Earl of Radnor, and it has been the Bouverie family home for almost 300 years. It was used as a hospital during the First World War and by British and American troops during the Second World War.
Aerial shots of the castle were used in the film The Princess Diaries (2001).
What to see at Longford Castle
There are two main reasons that people visit Longford Castle: to see the magnificent building and its grounds and also to see the castle’s art collection.
The castle is a wonderful building with a Swedish-inspired design that is unusual for an English castle. It is built in a triangular shape with a round tower in each corner and there is a formal garden south of the castle that is laid out in the style of the 17th century.
The art at Longford Castle comprises one of Britain’s finest privately-owned collections. It includes paintings by Claude, van Dyck, Gainsborough, Hals, Reynolds and Teniers.
The castle has a long association with the National Gallery and several works from Longford Castle are on loan to the gallery while other artworks in the gallery’s collection originally came from the Earl of Radnor’s personal collection.
![Aerial view of Longford Castle, which is 6.5km (4 miles) southeast of Salisbury. (Photo: Barry Deakin [CC BY-SA 2.0])](https://englandrover.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/longford-castle.jpg)
Visiting Longford Castle
Longford Castle is 6.5km (4 miles) southeast of Salisbury. It is a private home and only open to the public for 28 days every year on selected dates in March, April, May, June and August.
Visits to the castle are managed by the National Gallery. They are by guided tour only and tours include minibus transport from either Salisbury railway station or the Radnor Arms pub in Nunton. Parking is not available at the castle but you can park your car at the pub.
It is easiest to book your tour online, although it is also possible to download a booking form that you can fill out and return by post or hand deliver to the National Gallery on Trafalgar Square in London.
Visitors taking this tour must bring photographic ID (either a passport or drivers licence) with them, otherwise, they will not be able to join the tour.
These tours are brilliant if you have an interest in art as they give you the unique opportunity to see art that is not normally on display to the public. However, the tour is not really suitable for young children.
Photography is not permitted inside the house, however, visitors can take photos in the gardens.
Tours last for around two hours and you should allow three hours including transport there and back.
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