Kids, dogs and access
Kids, dogs and pushchairs are welcome at Old Sarum castle; the bridge is steep.
From
Salisbury station
How do you want to go?
SAVE UP TO 78%
Shared shuttle
Share with others going to Old Sarum.
from
£3.63
each
Private shuttle
Whole vehicle, up to 8 people.
Premier Taxis Salisbury
£16.75
per vehicle
Kids, dogs and pushchairs are welcome at Old Sarum castle; the bridge is steep.
Your shuttle is a licensed private hire car run by Premier Taxis Salisbury.
With children
Old Sarum suits families: dogs are welcome (on a lead in the castle), pushchairs can go anywhere, and children can fly kites on the outer bailey. The catch is a steep wooden bridge into the castle and bumpy grass. Visitors with disabilities can be dropped at the bottom of the bridge.
Space to run
About 29 acres of chalk grassland. Kites and ball games are fine on the outer bailey.
Picnics
Welcome anywhere on site. There is no café, just a vending machine for hot drinks and snacks.
Toilets
Next to the car park, with baby changing in the female toilets.
Take care
There are some sheer drops near the ruins, mostly fenced, and rabbit holes in the grass.
Photo: Trevor Harris, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Geograph
With dogs
Dogs are allowed: on a lead in the castle, and off the lead on the outer bailey if under control. There are dog bins and water bowls outside the shop. Assistance dogs are welcome.
In the shuttle: if you want to bring a pet dog, call us on 01722 672136 before you book, as it is up to the firm.
With a pushchair
English Heritage says pushchairs can go anywhere on site. The main path is tarmac, the driveway is bonded gravel, and the bridge into the inner bailey is steep. Grass can be bumpy.
With limited mobility
Drop off
Visitors with disabilities can be dropped at the bottom of the bridge.
Slopes and benches
Where there are steps, there is a slope alongside. There is a bench at the top of the bridge.
Toilets and parking
One accessible toilet and one disabled parking bay, which can’t be reserved.
The shop
The shop is up a ramp or steps. Check the access page for any work on the ramp.
Wheelchair accessible shuttles
Our standard booking is a normal car. If you need a wheelchair accessible vehicle, call us on 01722 672136 before booking. Wiltshire Council also keeps a register of licensed wheelchair accessible vehicles.
Questions
Yes. On a lead in the castle and off the lead on the outer bailey if under control.
English Heritage says pushchairs are unrestricted, but the bridge into the castle is steep and the grass is bumpy.
No. There is a vending machine, and picnics are welcome.
Yes, next to the car park, including an accessible toilet and baby changing.
Partly. There are slopes beside steps and a drop off at the bottom of the bridge, but the bridge is steep and the grass uneven. Read the English Heritage access page first.
Check before you go
Times, prices and opening hours change, so we link to the official pages rather than copy them.
Old Sarum access information
Old Sarum facilities (toilets, shop, dogs, parking)
Private hire licensing, Wiltshire Council
Related pages
Facts last checked: 21 October 2026.