Plan Your Visit to Balmoral Castle in Balmoral

Essentials

• Address: The Estates Office
  Balmoral Estates
  Ballater
  Aberdeenshire AB35 5TB
  Scotland, UK
  
• Telephone: +44(0)13397 42534
• Opening Times: Grounds, gardens and exhibitions, 1 April until Monday, 31 July, daily from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Opening dates may vary from year to year, so visit the Balmoral Website before you go.
• Special Openings and Tours: Guided tours are available on Saturdays in November and December. Check the Balmoral Website for dates and times.
• Admission:in 2007 was - Adult £7.00
  Seniors and students £6.00
  Children (5-16 years) £3.00
  Family Ticket (2 adults and up to 4 children)£15.00.
  Guided tour prices may be higher.

Check current prices and opening details

Visiting the Queen's Private Residence

Unlike Windsor Castle, the Queen's weekend getaway, which is open whether the Royal Family is in residence or not, Balmoral is Queen Elizabeth's private summer home. It is closed during August, September and October and, when it is open to the public, only limited areas can be visited.

Here's what you can see:

• The Ballroom, which contains an exhibition of paintings, works of art, porcelain, the Balmoral Tartan Collection and other items from the Castle.
• The Carriage Hall with its exhibition of Royal Heraldry, commemorative china and a display of native wildlife in their natural habitat.
• A formal garden covering three acres with several Victorian glasshouses, a kitchen garden and water garden
• Garden Cottage - Queen Victoria's retreat, where she wrote her diaries and often ate breakfast, is not open to the public but you can take a peek inside through the window. It is arranged much as it would have been during Queen Victoria's day.

Ranger Walks at Balmoral Castle

When Balmoral Castle is open to the public, the Ranger Service offers a series of easy guided walks. Throughout the Autumn and winter, walks ranging from easy hikes and family outings to mountain walks up Lochnagar are also scheduled. These walks must be booked. Prices range from £2 to £10 with several walks offered free. The selection and schedule of walks changes so check the Balmoral Walks website

Other sites of interest near Balmoral Castle

Crathie Parish Church, where the Royal Family attend church services on Sunday mornings, can be visited from April to October. Sunday services are 11:30.

Royal Lochnagar Distillery A small, working Scotch whiskey distillery, open year round, with guided tours and tastings every 15 to 20 minutes.

Read More About Balmoral Castle in Scotland - The Queen's Private Vacation Home
Stay at the Balmoral Estate
Walk the Balmoral Estate