Wallingford Castle Gardens and Meadow

Wallingford Castle was one of the most powerful royal strongholds in England, and its remains now sit in a town-owned garden and a larger meadow beside the Thames. Families can walk among the surviving castle ruins and the earthworks, and read the information boards that help explain the layout. The gardens are a calm, flower-filled space for a stroll or a rest, with a wildlife area of wild flowers and butterflies. The Castle Meadows are open grassland and floodplain meadow where cattle sometimes graze, so children should be kept well clear of them. Dogs are kept out of the gardens but are allowed on the lead in the meadows. The site is free to walk around, and the town centre is a short walk away for a cafe or lunch, so it suits a relaxed, low-cost outing that pairs well with a visit to the town.