Country houses
Rockingham Castle: a chauffeured day
Rockingham Castle, with the car waiting while you visit. Edward I spent heavily modernising the castle between 1276 and 1291, adding the surviving round towers in place of square ones. Richard Watson modernised the castle with the architect Anthony Salvin in 1836, adding the flag tower now called Salvin's Tower. Charles Dickens, a friend of Richard and Lavinia Watson, visited Rockingham on five occasions. The house sets its opening days each season, so check its calendar before the trip. For now: the castle is closed for the 2026 season and opens only for selected events and organised groups until it reopens.
The house’s opening arrangements are changing. Check its own website for the dates before you travel.
How the day runs
By road: Mayfair 1 hr 50 min, Heathrow 1 hr 36 min, Oxford 1 hr 40 min. For lunch or a night, Rushton Hall is around 14 minutes away. Deene Park is around 19 minutes on if you want a second house. While you visit, the car waits close by and is waiting when you come out.
- Mayfair, London to Rockingham Castle1 hr 50 min, 89.5 miles, in clear traffic
- Heathrow Airport to Rockingham Castle1 hr 36 min, 91.8 miles, in clear traffic
- Oxford to Rockingham Castle1 hr 40 min, 73.5 miles, in clear traffic
Times are for clear roads. Allow longer on event days and at peak hours.
Worth knowing
The castle was built on the instruction of William the Conqueror and has been home to the Watson family for around 450 years.
Source: rockinghamcastle.comEdward I spent heavily modernising the castle between 1276 and 1291, adding the surviving round towers in place of square ones.
Source: rockinghamcastle.comRichard Watson modernised the castle with the architect Anthony Salvin in 1836, adding the flag tower now called Salvin's Tower.
Source: rockinghamcastle.comCharles Dickens, a friend of Richard and Lavinia Watson, visited Rockingham on five occasions.
Source: rockinghamcastle.comRockingham Castle is in Rockingham, Northamptonshire.
Source: wikidata.orgThe nearest railway station by road is Corby, roughly 9 minutes away by car.
Source: wikidata.orgMeasured by road, the nearest main airport is Birmingham Airport, around 71 minutes and 56.0 miles away.
Source: wikidata.org
Price this journey
We have started the journey for you. Change either end to the exact address, choosing it from the suggestions, and pick a date and time to see the full price.
Questions
When is Rockingham Castle open?
The house sets its opening days each season, so check its calendar before the trip. For now: the castle is closed for the 2026 season and opens only for selected events and organised groups until it reopens.
Can we combine Rockingham Castle with another house?
Deene Park is around 19 minutes away by road.
Which railway station is handiest?
Corby, 9 minutes by car.
Our undertaking
- 60 min
of waiting after landing on every airport collection, without charge.
- Nothing
is added after the quote unless you ask for more on the day. Airport fees, parking and tolls are in it.
- 24 hrs
before collection, cancel or move the journey at no cost.
- In full
refunded if we ever cancel a journey, however late the notice.