The visitor centre is open every weekend. It will also be open on Fridays from March.
To make the most of your visit we recommend starting at the Visitor Centre (see below for opening times). Situated opposite the cafe, this listed Victorian building was in use as Clare station’s south platform waiting room until the 1960s. The open fire and porters’ trolleys no longer exist, but you will find:
- A warm welcome from our knowledgeable volunteers
- Information about the history of the Park, including the railway and castle, with old photos of the station
- A video playing on a TV screen which tells the story of the Park and railway, spoken among others by residents who worked and travelled on the railway in the 1950s and 60s (see below for more details)
- A model railway in “N gauge” which is a scale recreation of the station at Clare in the 1950s
- A selection of railway workers’ caps to try on for size
- Our free Otto children’s sticker trail
- Details of our explorer, accessible, nature and trim trails
- Leaflets detailing 2 to 8.5 mile walks from the Park
- Fun dog spotter sheets
- Information about the historic town of Clare and the atmospheric Augustinian Priory adjoining the Park, in ‘Town Trail’ booklet and audio form, together with pamphlets about specific aspects of Clare’s history
- A carefully selected range of products, including honey from Clare beehives, cards made from real sheep’s wool and a range of pocket money toys for children.
For much of the year the Visitor Centre is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to 3pm. During the winter it is closed on Fridays. To check opening times please email info@clarecastlecountrypark.co.uk or call us on 01787 277902.
Do come and see us in the visitor centre to discover everything the Park has to offer.
As a charity which receives no government or local authority funding, we rely on the support of volunteers to maintain a thriving visitor centre. If you’d like to find out more about joining this friendly group and could commit to a minimum of one 2.5 hour shift a month, please let us know.