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Uddingston · Castle
Bothwell Castle
Bothwell Castle's huge walls and position above the Clyde still make an impression, but conservation work has made this a smaller visit. The main tower, south-east tower and great hall are closed. Come for the courtyard, views and surviving walls, and plan another stop if you need to fill a full day.
- Best for
- Primary-age children and teens who like castles
- Cost
- Paid entry; under-sevens free
- Weather
- Mostly outdoors
- Time to allow
- One to two hours
Our family take
The red-sandstone walls feel properly imposing, and the castle is close enough to Glasgow for a short trip. It suits children who enjoy castle stories, with a picnic or another stop to make more of the day.
- Access limits. The main tower, south-east tower and great hall are closed. Come for the courtyard, surviving walls and grounds.
- Not ideal for. A full day of activities, indoor shelter or a completely level buggy route.
The practical details
Plan your visit
- Admission
- Adults £4.50; ages 7–15 £2.50; under-sevens free. Admission is reduced while access is limited. Check family and member ticket options.
- Opening
- October–March: Saturday to Wednesday, 10am–4pm. April–September: Tuesday to Saturday, 9.30am–5pm. Closed for lunch 12.30pm–1.30pm; last entry 30 minutes before closing. Closed 25 December–5 January.
- Address
- Bothwell Castle, Castle Avenue, Uddingston G71 8BL
- Parking
- Small, level tarmac car park with accessible bays, about 160 metres from the entrance.
- Prams and access
- Level grass-and-concrete approach; step-free ticket office and shop. The courtyard path slopes, and the grounds have grass-covered slopes.
- Toilets
- Toilets are listed on site. The nearest adapted toilet is at Tesco, Bothwell Road, Uddingston G71 7ET.
ParkingGift shopToiletsPacked lunch spaceCastle CourtyardRiverside Grounds
11 October 2026
Check tickets, opening and closures (official)A little more detail
Make it work for your family
Getting here with a buggy or wheelchair
Uddingston station is about a 30-minute walk or five-minute drive away, via Main Street and Castle Avenue. If the walk from the car park would be difficult, call 0131 651 6758 before visiting to arrange drop-off at the castle entrance.
A paved path follows two sides of the grassed courtyard, with a gradient of 1:13. A buggy can reach parts of the site, but the slopes and restricted access make this a limited route. Check the access notes if anyone in your family needs a step-free visit. The tower stairs are off limits while the main tower is closed.
Full access information · Checked 2026-10-11
Tickets and booking
Book online if you want to secure your preferred entry time. Tickets on arrival depend on availability. Under-sevens enter free but still need to be included in your booking, including member bookings; children under 16 need an accompanying adult.
Historic Scotland members enter free. Up to two accompanying carers receive free entry per transaction, while the disabled visitor pays the usual admission rate. Check the ticket options for any discounts you qualify for.
Check booking rules and discountsWeather, lunch and the rest of your day
Allow one to two hours, with extra time if you bring a picnic. Most of the visit is outdoors, so choose a dry day if you can and wear shoes that cope with grass and uneven ground.
There is a picnic area and water refill point. Bring lunch or plan to eat elsewhere, and ask the castle before travelling if you need baby-changing facilities.
Strathclyde Country Park is a nearby option if you want to add a walk or play time. Calderglen Country Park and Zoo is another option for a longer day; check its current visitor information before combining the two.
Plan the rest of your day
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