Enduring 1510 tower house, once used as a prison & military garrison, now housing a museum.
Me my son and parter visited here for something to do as it was raining. Staff welcoming. The tower is beautiful and charming. Lots to see inside. Takes around 45 minutes to look around. It's free and very intresting.
Informative exhibition within this small castle. Lots of stairs to tackle, some are quite uneven. Was quite busy today but the staff were really helpful.
Free entry. No ticket required. Staff are friendly. If you're brave enough to climb the castle stairs, there's a nice view waiting at the top of the castle.
The Castle of St John dates back to the 16th century when it was built as a home for a powerful local family, the Adairs of Kilhilt. However, in the 1800s it became a prison. The pitched roof was removed and a flat roof was built on which the prisoners were allowed to exercise. It is now a visitor centre with free admission. The displays are excellent and there's something of interest for the whole family from little ones to Nana and Grampa! However, there are about 100 steps to go up the tower and they are very worn in places and steep all the way. You can go up onto the roof where the views are simply amazing. You can see all round the town, the local countryside and out over Loch Ryan - all the way to Ailsa Craig on a clear day. According to the leaflet, it is open to the pulic June to September Tuesday to Saturday.
Well worth a visit if your in stranraer between April and September otherwise it's closed
Just the tower remains of the castle which once stood here Free entry, interesting story about the prisoners held their, especially the carving of ships on the cell doors.
On-site services
Good for kids
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Me my son and parter visited here for something to do as it was raining. Staff welcoming. The tower is beautiful and charming. Lots to see inside. Takes around 45 minutes to look around. It's free and very intresting.
Informative exhibition within this small castle. Lots of stairs to tackle, some are quite uneven. Was quite busy today but the staff were really helpful.
Free entry. No ticket required. Staff are friendly. If you're brave enough to climb the castle stairs, there's a nice view waiting at the top of the castle.
The Castle of St John dates back to the 16th century when it was built as a home for a powerful local family, the Adairs of Kilhilt. However, in the 1800s it became a prison. The pitched roof was removed and a flat roof was built on which the prisoners were allowed to exercise. It is now a visitor centre with free admission. The displays are excellent and there's something of interest for the whole family from little ones to Nana and Grampa! However, there are about 100 steps to go up the tower and they are very worn in places and steep all the way. You can go up onto the roof where the views are simply amazing. You can see all round the town, the local countryside and out over Loch Ryan - all the way to Ailsa Craig on a clear day. According to the leaflet, it is open to the pulic June to September Tuesday to Saturday.
Well worth a visit if your in stranraer between April and September otherwise it's closed
Just the tower remains of the castle which once stood here Free entry, interesting story about the prisoners held their, especially the carving of ships on the cell doors.
