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Mey · Castle
The Castle & Gardens of Mey
The Castle & Gardens of Mey combines the Queen Mother's former Caithness home with a walled garden and an Animal Centre. The animals give younger children something to look forward to, while the castle rooms suit those happy with a slower visit. Choose whether the rooms matter to your family before paying for the full ticket.
- Best for
- Preschool and primary-age animal lovers; older children interested in the castle
- Cost
- Paid; castle or grounds-and-garden ticket options
- Weather
- Partly indoors; best when the garden is enjoyable
- Visit length
- Flexible; allow time for the rooms, animals and a break
Our family take
Mey works best for preschool and primary-age children who enjoy animals, alongside adults or older children interested in the Queen Mother's home. Leave time for the garden and a tearoom break between the historic rooms and the animals. If your children mainly want to run and play, the castle rooms may be the part to skip.
- Season ended. The published 2026 season ended on 30 September. Check new opening dates before planning a visit.
- Castle access. Wheelchair access is not currently possible inside the castle; the Visitor Centre, tearoom, shop and toilets are accessible.
- Tickets on arrival. Buy in the gift shop. Confirm which ticket includes the Animal Centre if that is your main reason for going.
The practical details
Plan your visit
- Seasonal opening
- The published 2026 season ended on 30 September. New season dates are not listed yet; check before making the drive.
- Prices listed on 9 October 2026
- Castle, grounds and gardens: £18.30 adult, £14.50 concession, £9.35 child or £47.85 family. Grounds and garden only: £11.45 adult, £6.25 child or £29.10 family. Recheck for the next season.
- Child and family tickets
- Child tickets cover ages 5–16 inclusive; a family ticket covers two adults and up to four children. Ask about under-five admission and Animal Centre inclusion before paying.
- Buying tickets
- Individual tickets are bought in the gift shop on the day, rather than booked online or by phone. Coach visits are arranged separately. Bring a card or contactless payment method: the Visitor Centre is cashless.
- Access
- The Visitor Centre, tearoom, shop and toilets are accessible. Wheelchair access is not currently possible inside the castle.
- Parking and arrival
- Park beside the Visitor Centre, about 200 metres from the castle. If walking is difficult, ask at the ticket office about closer parking. Disabled, coach, campervan and motorbike spaces are signposted.
ParkingGift shopToiletsAccessible Visitor Centre FacilitiesAnimal CentreCashless Visitor Centre
9 October 2026
Visit official websiteA little more detail
Make it work for your family
Choose your visit
The full ticket makes sense when adults or older children want the castle rooms as well as the outdoor areas. If your children are mainly there for the animals and garden, ask which ticket includes the Animal Centre before paying. Its inclusion is not clear from the listed ticket names.
Let your children's interest in the rooms set the pace, with the animals and tearoom as breaks. You can keep the visit shorter by choosing the outdoor areas rather than trying to do everything.
Animals, castle rooms and weather
Why the Animal Centre matters
In the Animal Centre, children can see sheep, bantams, ducks, geese and rabbits, try milking Daisy the wooden cow, and buy feed for the chickens and sheep. The animals on show can vary, so keep any promises about particular favourites flexible.
Castle rooms, gardens and weather
The castle route covers a focused set of rooms connected with the Queen Mother's life at Mey. It suits children who can manage a slower historic-house visit, while the walled garden and animals give them a break from the castle rooms afterwards.
Choose a day when your family will be happy outdoors. The rooms, indoor part of the Animal Centre and tearoom offer some shelter, but wind and rain can make the garden and grounds less enjoyable.
- Castle rooms
- The public route includes the Front Hall, Library, Equerry's Room, Drawing Room, Dining Room, Butler's Pantry and Kitchen. Photography is not allowed inside.
Access and getting here
The standard walk from parking to the castle is about 200 metres. Ask at the ticket office about closer parking when walking distance is difficult, and contact the venue before travelling if a particular access route is important for your family.
If you need a buggy, ask about the castle arrangements before travelling. The garden paths include gravel, so do not assume every part will be easy with small wheels. Check baby-changing provision if you need it.
- Public transport
- Stagecoach buses serve the area. The walk from the top of the drive is described as 15-20 minutes on flat ground; Thurso and Wick railway stations require onward transport.
Food and dogs
The tearoom serves homemade snacks and cakes, with gluten-free and vegetarian options on request. Tables are first come, first served. Food may contain nuts; discuss allergies before ordering.
Pet dogs are welcome in the grounds on leads, but cannot enter the castle, Walled Garden, Animal Centre or Visitor Centre. There is little shade in the car park. Check assistance-dog arrangements with the venue before travelling.
Check the season
Wait for new season dates before planning the journey, and recheck admission prices when opening is announced. The opening page is the place to check before setting off.
Mey sits on the A836 between Thurso and John O'Groats. It can fit into a north-Caithness day, but leave room in the plan for the castle, garden and animals rather than treating it as a quick roadside stop.
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