VERDICT: WE GAVE 3 OUT OF 5 TICKETS AND HERE’S WHY!
This guide forms part of our complete UK Travel Guide, featuring scenic road trips, iconic destinations, practical travel advice and honest first-hand travel experiences from across the United Kingdom.
This article is part of our English Counties Travel Guide. We’ve explored some of England’s most popular counties and regions, from Cornwall and coastal Dorset to Somerset, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Berkshire, Merseyside and Greater London. Along the way, we’ve discovered historic cities, royal landmarks, spectacular coastlines and unforgettable road trips. Explore our firsthand county travel guides to help plan a better, more informed English vacation.
Top places by county to visit:
- Cornwall – St Mawes
- Dorset – Lulworth Cove
- Hampshire – Portsmouth
- Somerset – Bath
- Wiltshire – Stonehenge
- Merseyside – Liverpool
- Berkshire – Windsor Castle
- Greater London – Westminster Abbey
14th Century Castle Located Near Bath, England
Farleigh Hungerford Castle is one of the most unusual castles near Bath, set in a wooded valley beside the River Frome, about 9 miles southeast of the city.
We consider ourselves to be very fortunate, as the ruins of this castle remain on the main road just outside of Bath. So whenever we visit, it’s guaranteed that we will be driving past this historic castle several times during our stay. There is a small parking area just inside the main gate and usually things are pretty quiet!
This 14th Century fortified mansion, is in fact 9 miles from the City of Bath, stands in the incredible valley of the river Frome, England. There is an audio tour that tells of the 300 year occupation of the Hungerford family, sometimes intriguing but also gruesome… This is a great place to visit however it is very limited. One huge benefit is you can visit the main ruins for FREE!
Built by the powerful Hungerford family, the castle is less about grand towers and more about intrigue, scandal, and survival.
Why Visit?
Farleigh Hungerford Castle stands out for its remarkably intact curtain walls, quiet rural setting, and the extraordinary Hungerford family chapel, which contains rare medieval tombs and wall paintings. The site also reveals darker chapters of history, including stories of imprisonment, betrayal, and alleged murder within the family.
Top Sights
- The Great Hall ruins: once the heart of daily life
- St Leonard’s Chapel: featuring medieval tombs and paintings
- The curtain walls and gatehouse: well preserved and easy to explore
- Peaceful river and countryside views: ideal for photography
Admission (Guide Prices)
Managed by English Heritage:
- Adults: approx. £7–£8
- Children: approx. £4–£5
- English Heritage members: Free
Visitor Tip
Farleigh Hungerford Castle is rarely crowded, making it perfect to combine with Bath, Bradford on Avon, or a Somerset countryside drive. Its quiet, haunting atmosphere offers a very different and memorable castle experience compared to larger royal fortresses.
- See the chapel with rare medieval paintings, family tombs, displays in the Priest’s house, and a crypt with the best collection of human shaped lead coffins in Britain.
Explore these places in England
- England Ultimate Travel Guide
- Visit Castles: England & Wales
- St Michael’s Mount
- King Harry Ferry
- Land’s End
- Liverpool
- Bodmin Jail
- Salisbury Cathedral
Continue exploring London
Nearby London attractions
Planning Your Trip?
Before you go, don’t forget to book the essentials:
- 🏨 Hotels & unique stays
- 🚗 Rental cars
- 🎟️ Top-rated tours & attractions
- 📶 eSIMs for easy connectivity
- 🛡️ Travel insurance
- 🎒 Packing Lists
- 🎒 Travel gear from The Venturio
With every trip, we offer feedback to travel companies along with honest views for you, the reader. We rate adventures on a scale of one to five tickets, judged on quality, service, memorability, and price. A perfect ‘Ticket Rating’ of a five-ticket score means the experience was flawless and we’d eagerly return. Your desire to go back is the ultimate measure of a trip’s worth. Exclusive to My Return Ticket.
