Kelburn Castle and Estate

• What’s included: Kelburn Castle and Estate entry for two adults or a family of up to five (2 adults and 3 children)
• Customers can explore the Secret Forest and see: The Chinese Gardens, The Giant’s Castle, The Maze and The Fairy Village, The Crocodile Swamp and The Grotto, The Celtic Totems, The Pagoda, The Gingerbread House, The Woodcutter’s House, The Castle with No Entrance and The Inner Wood.
• Free admission for kids up to 3 years old
• Monday to Friday – 11am to 4pm – last entry 3pm and Saturday & Sunday – 11am to 5pm – last entry 4pm.

The Chinese Gardens It is intended as a place of quiet and tranquility, planted with ferns and shrubs and dominated by a statue of the Buddha. A small stream runs through the middle that is crossed by a Chinese Bridge. The Giant’s Castle Caution: Giants! Enter the Giant’s castle and be careful as you go. Jacks house lies near the bottom of the beanstalk and you just never know when the Giant may be in or out. Look for the secret passageway at the main entrance to the castle and find a safe shortcut. The Maze and The Fairy Village The gate with the three entrances leads you into the Bamboo Maze. This area is currently harvesting new bamboo and awaiting renovation. Nearby you will find the finest fairy village and keep your eyes open to spot a fairy or two as you explore the magical forest The Crocodile Swamp and the Grotto To cross the crocodile swamp or reach the entrance to the Grotto, you must carefully negotiate the wooden stepping stones. Inside is the grotto’s guardian, a reptilian monster who feeds on human heads. The Celtic Totems The mysterious Celtic Totems in the centre of the Secret Forest, designed by Elizabeth Brodie as a homage to Celtic and prehistoric art, are three decorated six-foot poles, supporting heads of women carved in stone. The Pagoda The centrepiece of the Secret Forest is the Pagoda designed by Vernon Gibberd. Over 35ftt high, there are 42 wrought-iron steps to the high balcony, which can accommodate up to 50 people at a time and provides a spectacular view over the Secret Forest. Look for the signs of the zodiac high in the trees. The Gingerbread House The Gingerbread House is a six-sided building embossed on two walls with cakes and lollipops and all manner of sweet things. It is the home of the witch, who crouches hidden in her kitchen, waiting for children who are tempted to enter in search of sweets and other goodies. The Woodcutter’s House The Woodcutter’s House, at the farthest end of the Forest, has been constructed by laying tree trunks horizontally one on top of the other, and securing them together with dowels. The Castle with No Entrance The Castle with No Entrance is the home of a greedy Goblin who guards his treasure constantly and watches for intruders from his high window in the tower. The Inner Wood The Inner Wood lies at the entrance of the Secret Forest and is largely enclosed by trees and branches that form a canopy over your head. Hiding within the inner wood are several animals including deer and foxes, a wolf, and a wild boar.