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Severndroog Castle
Severndroog Castle
4.5
Temporarily closedClosed until further notice
About
This 18th century Gothic tower, with 360° views of London, was built in ancient woodland by Lady Ann James in memory of her husband, Commodore Sir William James of the East India Company. The castle is perched on one of South-East London's highest points and offers exceptional views of London and its surrounding counties. When visiting, you can also tour the rest of the building and learn about its rich history, as well as explore the surrounding woodland. Viewing Platform open Sundays, 10:00 - 15:30 Tearoom open Saturday & Sunday, 10:00 - 16:00
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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4.5
137 reviews
Excellent
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34
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8
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2
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3
dacabs
Winston Park, South Africa447 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
The Severndroog Castle tearoom is under new management. It is open 9-4 Thursdays - Sundays. Friendly folk, great coffee and delicious snacks. Sit in the courtyard or on the benches and enjoy the view
Tour this amazing small castle in Oxleas Woods. Great history. Amazing views from the top on a clear day. Highly recommended
Tour this amazing small castle in Oxleas Woods. Great history. Amazing views from the top on a clear day. Highly recommended
Written 17 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Snowdrop683
Norwich, UK129 contributions
Jul 2022 • Solo
This is a great little trip out. It costs £4 to go to the top of the folly and there are some amazing views of London. On a clear day it's possible to see over 30 miles away to Windsor Castle. The volunteer staff are very friendly and knowledgeable and provide binoculars to make the most of the views whilst pointing out key landmarks. There's also a nice little cafe on the ground floor. The coffee is excellent although the cakes are quite overpriced. It's the perfect place for dog walkers too and the car park is free.
Written 24 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Snowdrop,
Thank you for such a lovely review, we are pleased that you enjoyed your visit!
Thank you for the feedback regarding the cake pricing. We are changing the way the Tearoom works in January and will take this feedback on board.
Written 26 August 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Alastair P
6 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
Stumbled upon tis after living just across the river for 20 years. Great restoration job has been done and nice to have saved this for the community
Written 19 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Alistair,
Thank you for your review. We're glad you found us!
Written 26 August 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
John Paul B
United States5 contributions
May 2022
Fabulous cafe in a great historical building. They have wonderful homemade cakes, great coffee, and delightful service.
Written 11 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review! We're glad you enjoyed your visit.
Written 26 August 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
leuveen
United Kingdom1,203 contributions
Mar 2022 • Friends
I was hoping to be able to see more of the inside of this building rather than the views only. Unfortunately, only one room with some information can be seen with the rest of the building closed to the public.
Written 14 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi leuveen,
We're sorry you were a little disappointed by your visit and seem to have missed some of the buildings highlights. We are an exceptionally small 'castle'.
The Castle consists of one main room on each floor with a two small side rooms on each. The ground floor is the Tearoom with the side rooms being the toilet and the kitchen, the kitchen is not accessible to the public.
The 1st floor where you purchase tickets is the Lady James Room, the main room has the ornate plasterwork ceiling and information about Lady James on display, one side room has the preserved artwork on the panel above the door and the model castle, and the other is the servery, the servery is not accessible to the public.
The 2nd floor is the William James Room, which has information about William James and the East India Company on display, as well as scrap books and restoration books, highlighting the restoration journey of the Castle. One side room is the Office, which is not accessible to the public and the other is the visitor toilets.
There are two small turret rooms on the main roof, but these are inaccessible to the public as the only access is across the fragile roof. Then of course their is the viewing platform.
It seems that you may not have got the best value out of your visit on this occasion, and hopefully you will come back and explore some more.
Written 26 August 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kim G
29 contributions
Mar 2022 • Couples
Despite a drizzly, cloudy day, so worth a visit. The views must be magnificent in a clear day. Great knowledgeable, volunteer staff. The cafe staff lovely with great homemade treats. Fantastic piece of history on our south east London doorstep. Looking forward to open air events in summer.
Written 13 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review, Kim. It is a fantastic piece of history, you're right!
Written 26 August 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Melissa H
London, UK12 contributions
Feb 2022
Lovely woods, great for a walk. 2 cafes located on opposite sides of the woods. Be aware that the front car park located by the castle closes at 4pm. We got locked in as there no signs letting us know!
Written 6 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Esher Sansom
1 contribution
Sep 2021 • Friends
Today, when we visited sevendroog castle, we received a very warm welcome from Michele at the cafe. The food was delicious and the coffees were perfect. They have vegan alternatives which are just as delicious. The atmosphere is wonderful and very pet friendly.
Written 16 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KittyBeeCole
London, UK17 contributions
Aug 2021
A hidden gem in SE London nestled in Oxleas' Woods. Living at the bottom of the woods, just below the castle, we regularly walk up here for a coffee and a cake before of after our walk. Michelle and her team are lovely and the food is delicious. The cakes are to die for and the savoury food is yummy. Both my children love to visit and we've never been disappointed. They especially love the children's hot chocolate, the brownies and the ice-creams during the summer. Definitely worth a stop and the view from the tower is stunning.
Written 30 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diptych
Hampton, UK1,270 contributions
Oct 2020
Trip Advisor is telling me that this attraction is closed but the cafe at its base most certainly isn't. Manned (exclusively by woment - so 'staffed' might have been a better choice of word) it offers great, inexpensive cafe food in an intriguing environment. Tables are spread around the foot of the tower. A great place to stop on the Capital Ring walk. Glad that I did.
Written 26 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
As the car park at the castle is limited to 20cars what is the parking locally like?
Hello. Do you advertise your special events in Time Out?
theresa440
London, UK45 contributions
I'm not sure, but I saw an event advertised in the local Mercury paper and went straight to Severndroogs website but it was fully booked. I am going to regularly check their website in future
susie1717m
London522 contributions
Is there parking nearby please ?
Also, is there a lift to the top of the Castle?
And, finally, how much is the admission cost?
Thank you for your help.
💐
janegardner
london504 contributions
The castle has its own free car park down a signposted lane next to christchurch school. Entry to the castle is £3 or £2.50 for concessions. But very sorry there is no lift as it is a small 250 yr old building.
saljoseph18
Los Angeles, CA
How do I get there by public transportation from Hackney? Thanks for your help.
Dave C
Potter Heigham, UK3 contributions
Sorry for the long delay.
Severndroog Castle is located at Castle Wood, Shooters Hill, London SE18 3RT.
By road
A 20 minute drive from the M25. Leave at junction two signposted for central London and Lewisham and join the A2. Take the slip road off the A2 signposted Falconwood. Turn right at the end and follow the road to the next junction, turning right on to Welling Way. At the next junction turn left on to Shooters Hill. Go up and over Shooters Hill and take the first left after Craigholm. Look for our Brown Signs.
By bus
Take the 486 from North Greenwich or Bexleyheath or 89 bus Lewisham or Bexleyheath, alighting at the Memorial Hospital. 244 bus from Woolwich or Queen Elizabeth Hospital alighting at the Memorial Hospital on Shooters Hill.
By Tube
Jubilee Line to North Greenwich, then 486 bus, alighting at the Memorial Hospital.
By DLR
DLR to Woolwich Arsenal, then the 244 bus alighting at the Memorial Hospital.
By Train
Network Southeast to Welling, then a 486 or 89 from bus stop D towards Shooters Hill.
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Claim your listingSEVERNDROOG CASTLE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Severndroog Castle
- Severndroog Castle is open:
- Sun - Sun 10:00 - 15:30
- Hotels near Severndroog Castle:
- (3.13 mi) Crook Log Guest House
- (3.46 mi) Staycity Aparthotels, London, Greenwich High Road
- (3.63 mi) InterContinental London - the O2, an IHG Hotel
- (2.17 mi) The Clarendon
- (0.93 mi) Beechhill House: Beautiful Edwardian house with 5 bedrooms and garden in South East London
- Restaurants near Severndroog Castle:
- (0.27 mi) Roca Mangal
- (0.27 mi) Piri Hill
- (0.29 mi) The Red Lion Shooters Hill
- (0.33 mi) Cafe Eltham
- (1.03 mi) The Falcon Harvester