Visitor Information
VISITING THE CASTLE
We’ve got you covered – learn more about everything from our pet policy to what to do if you’re coming for a wedding. If you would like more information regarding an upcoming visit, or a program we’re hosting or if you’d like to plan an event here, please fill out our inquiry form or call us at (603) 476-5900. When visiting, children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult 21 years or older.
Admission tickets for Castle tours and Basement tours are sold at the Ticket Booth (located next to the Gift Shop) from 10:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m*. After parking in the main visitor lot, follow the walking path towards the Carriage House; the Ticket Booth is located just beyond the Gift Shop.
*On days when private events are scheduled, admission sales end at 3:30 p.m. Please visit our Hours & Admission page for more information.
We have a large Visitor Parking Lot for all guests to use, in addition to accessible parking which is located directly in front of the Carriage House. After parking, follow the walking path and stop at the Ticket Booth to purchase your admission tickets (located just beyond the Gift Shop). From there you will walk to the Carriage House for trolley service to the mansion. Parking is included in the price of your admission. The walk from the parking lot is about 2-3 minutes on packed gravel and paved roads (if you’re coming for a wedding and don’t want to walk in heels, slip a pair of flats in your bag!)
For guests driving campers longer than 26 feet or ANY vehicle towing we ask that you please park in Bus and RV Parking, which is clearly marked in the grassy area located just to the left of the main parking lot. Once parked in RV parking, you may call 603-476-5900 to request trolley service, or walk 3-5 minutes to the Ticket Booth to purchase tickets.
Castle in the Clouds is accessible to those who require assistance*. Accessible parking is located outside the Carriage House. Wheelchairs can access the Carriage House Restaurant and visit the Exhibit Gallery. There is an elevator to bring guests to the second floor’s Winnipesaukee Room for events, weddings, and special functions. Access to the Gift Shop may be limited based on the size and turning radius of the wheelchair/scooter.
We have an accessible trolley that is able to accommodate a wheelchair. The museum is accessible on the first floor as well as the gardens. An “Armchair Tour” is a video/virtual tour of the mansion’s second floor that our Castle staff can provide to any guest that wishes to view it.
*Please see Prohibited Items for a list of equipment that may have limited access to the mansion.
We are currently working on an accessibility plan to help improve the Castle experience for all visitors. For any questions related to accessibility, please contact us at (603) 476-5900 or info@castleintheclouds.org before your visit.
For all those guests who like to plan their trips accordingly, here is a list of items that are not allowed inside the museum or on the Lawns and Gardens. Some of these items are allowed on the property, but not at the historic mansion. Before you board the trolley please securely lock these items in your vehicle:
- Food and drinks of any kind, including water bottles
- Strollers of any size
- Gum
- Smoking and e-cigarettes
- Hiking sticks
- Umbrellas
- Backpacks
- Over-sized bags
- Backpack baby carriers (both metal-framed and frameless)
- Hand-held baby carriers, ie: car seats
- Weapons
- Tripods and mono-pods
- Selfie Sticks (prohibited in the interior only)
- Drones
- Any over-sized item that may endanger the structure or the collections
Depending on size, the following items may have limited or no access inside the Lucknow Mansion. A Museum Guide may assist you with storing these items if they are not required for the duration of your tour.
- Wheelchairs
- Walkers
- Motorized/Mobility Scooters
We do not allow animals, other than service animals, in any buildings, on the trolley, OR on the Lawns of Lucknow. This means if you’d like to tour the mansion, your pet would have to stay in the car or with a trusted member of your party who isn’t touring. Some families opt to swap turns watching pets and touring the mansion.
The 28 miles of hiking trails throughout the property are certainly pet friendly and much loved by animals. Pets are not allowed in our restaurant. Pets are not permitted to attend special events such as Walks & Talks, Auto Shows, or other field events.
Please visit our Program Calendar to see if there are any special events during your visit.
Designated smoking areas are located outside The Carriage House, in the main parking lot, and near the Meadows by Shannon Pond. Smoking, including the use of e-cigarettes, is never allowed in any building, on the trolley, or at the Lucknow Lawns. For assistance in locating a smoking area, please ask any employee. Please help keep our gardens and grounds clean and always dispose of your cigarettes in an appropriate container.
Whether you are visiting for a tour of the mansion or if you plan to dance the night away at a wedding, we want all of our guests to have an enjoyable and memorable experience.
Here are a few things to keep in mind during days when we have weddings: If you are coming as a Wedding Guest: – Use Ossipee Park Road for entry (for GPS use 586 Ossipee Park Road Moultonborough, NH 03254). – Park in the main parking area and walk to the Carriage House. This is about a 5-minute walk on packed gravel. – Relax in the Carriage House for a drink or take in the views from The Terrace while you wait for trolley service to the ceremony site. – Use restrooms in the Carriage House before you board the trolley as there is only a porta-potty at the ceremony site.
If you are coming as a Castle Guest on the day of a wedding:
Please view our Private Event Calendar located on our Hours & Admission page to see if there is a wedding or other event taking place on the day of your visit. In this case, the following amended hours of operation apply:
- Trolley service will run as normal, every 15 minutes from the Carriage House to the mansion until 3:45 pm
- If you’d like to tour the mansion please be sure to board the trolley by 3:45 pm.
- The Lawns of Lucknow will close at 4:30 pm; no access will be granted to the Lawns during the ceremony.
- The mansion will close at 4:45 pm.
Photography for non-commercial use is allowed and encouraged throughout the estate. You will definitely want to have your cameras at the ready during your visit – with over 5,000 acres of land you never know when you’ll see interesting wildlife! In the past year, we’ve spotted multiple black bears, deer with fawns, moose, and a bobcat.
For the comfort of all guests and to protect the collections, tripods, monopods, and selfie sticks are prohibited inside the mansion. Otherwise, non-flash photography for personal use is welcome inside the house.
Please note that drones are not allowed on the property except with permission from the Executive Director of Castle in the Clouds. To request permission to utilize a drone for photography, please submit an inquiry on our Contact Us form.
All ticket sales are final. In the event that a ticketed public program or fundraiser is canceled by Castle in the Clouds due to extreme weather or extenuating circumstances, refunds will be issued.