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Gillette Castle State Park

Gillette Castle State Park

Gillette Castle State Park
4.5
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
This 24-room mansion has undergone extensive renovations.
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  • drwatson32
    Shawnee, Oklahoma1,517 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Clever!
    We rode the ferry to and from the state park to see the castle. The ferry is $5 each way. The house is truly a feat of engineering and worth a stop. I didn't know much about Mr. Gillette before this visit, so I learned some things as well.
    Visited June 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written June 4, 2024
  • Douglas A
    6 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Elementary My Dear Watson
    Eccentric abode of famous stage actor. A very reasonably priced tour (a fair portion of which was self-tour). If crossing the river at the nearby swing bridge, be sure to factor that in your travels - my wife and I were a few minutes late for our scheduled tour as we waited to cross the bridge.
    Visited June 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written June 25, 2024
  • magill1986
    East Greenwich, Rhode Island184 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    great value for your $6
    My top location for taking visitors, a quirky place with a great back story. And at $6, well worth it. The site and parking are free, but to access the castle, a ticket is required, in groups of 12 every 15 minutes. Depending on the day, the tickets can run out fast. The last time, arriving at 10:30 we got 1:30 tickets, but you have the trails, the bridge, and the outdoor area to explore with great views, as well as down to the riverside if you want to tackle the slope. You also have a great introductory video at the visitor center that is well worth watching and gives a lot of the context to the castle and Mr. Gillette. You can get tickets online, so that might be advised if you have other plans for the day and don't want to wait around. The castle staff can vary in quality of the info you get, students tend to give less detail, but through the several floors you aren't rushed and generally can ask as many questions as you like. You go through the castle at your own pace with staff placed at the entrance, and on the main and third floors, so you can take your time. There is a miniscule gift shop, and I have never seen the restaurant open. Trail maps aren't great if they exist at all, but there is one posted outside the door from the gift shop.
    Visited August 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written August 14, 2024
  • Cynthia K
    Westville, Indiana4,514 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Loved it!
    I talked him into going. He's mobility challenged, but can walk with a cane. The visitor center is the place to start. You can't miss it - it's the big building you walk to from the parking lot! You get a film about William Gillette - who he was & how the castle came to be built. There's a lot of memorabilia to look over. Tickets for the tour are purchased in the visitor center. Tours are from 10am to 4pm. We were there fairly early & got tickets right away for a tour that began in 15 minutes. That gave us time to walk up to the castle. Wow! gothic looking & unique. Even physically challenged, we made our tour time. A short walk to get to the castle. You get a brief talk in the foyer, then move on to the living room. I didn't feel rushed in any way. Another docent gave a talk in the living room, in the bar room & upstairs. You can only go forward. If you leave at any point, you can't go back. There's a lot of hiking trails on the grounds & picnic tables. The grounds are free if you don't want a tour of the inside of the castle. We enjoyed this tour a lot!
    Visited August 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written August 30, 2024
  • Michelle C
    New Bedford, Massachusetts135 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Gorgeous views!!
    What a gorgeous park to visit with family and friends or even by urself!!! Immaculate grounds!! Gorgeous views of the Ct river!! Our only disappointment was we arrived at 1pm and the tickets to tour the castle were sold out for the day which end at 6pm. Not sure if u can purchase tickets online.
    Visited September 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written September 3, 2024
  • ZoĂ©
    Utica, New York70 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Worth it
    The reviews are true, it’s more exciting than you would think. We are usually those people that get bored easy but this tour of the castle is worth the few dollars per person. Just note: the guides inside can differ. We were lucky with the downstairs guide, he was very informative and interesting, the top floor guide did not seem like she wanted to be there and answered questions quickly and snippy to get back to her book. In any case, it was worth it. We also did a little hiking on the property and that was beautiful. I think 2 hours is a reasonable time to spend on the property
    Visited August 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written September 3, 2024
  • Leem921
    North River, New York58 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A MUST SEE when in CT!
    This is a must see if you are wishing 90 minutes of Lyme, CT. Lyme is a beautiful town in its own right. But Gillette Castle so far exceeded my expectations! We spent about an hour on the grounds and an hour in the house. The woodwork, design, cool devices, and layout - inside and out - are fascinating and amazing. The staff and docents were super nice and knowledgable. And the views of the Connecticut River - spectacular! A couple tips: inside tours sell out fast - get your tickets ahead of time online. The grill was closed on Labor Day, so there was no food around. And take the Ferry one way of the other - coming or going - Just follow the Historic Ferry signs. It's fun and a good way to see the house from the water.
    Visited September 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written September 3, 2024
  • nataly02
    Columbus, Ohio247 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Really interesting stop. Happy we did it
    We stopped here on our way to RI. So glad we did. When you think Gillette you think razor so wrong. The castle was so beautiful and Wm. Gillette was a very ingenious man. So glad we stopped. Worth the time and it was only $6.00 per person.
    Visited September 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written September 26, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles801 reviews
Excellent
552
Very good
209
Average
29
Poor
5
Terrible
6

Brandon B
Baton Rouge, LA73 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2020 • Couples
The inside of the castle was closed when we visited due to COVID but the grounds were open until sunset. We were able to walk up to and all around the castle and there are even some trails that take you around behind and below the building. Views of the Connecticut river are incredible.
Written October 20, 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.

Stephen P
East Meadow, NY130 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2021
This is a "must see!" What a true gem in East Haddam, CT. My wife and I were staying near by at a B&B and decided last minute to come visit Glllette Castle. It is truly an amazing and historical piece of architecture! The grounds, exterior of the castle, and the incredible interior designs were all spectacular. The fee for the interior castle tour was only $6. There are 3 floors. On each floor there are guides to give you background details of the designs of the castle as well as William Gillette's own interesting life. Don't miss this one!
Written June 14, 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.

Bev M
Weatogue, CT185 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021
Spend 30 minutes are so to immerse yourself in the character, Sherlock Holmes/William Gillette as portrayed in radio drama acted out by the members of the East Haddam Stage Co. This gem of an experience is free Sat & Sun performed at 1 & 3PM july 3 though Aug 8, 2021 on the outdoor stage. Bring an umbrella for the sun, it is summer. Wonderful people , they are wonderful actors.

To tour the castle after, there is a modest fee. it is best to buy your tickets online, They can sell out. If you prefer to hike the grounds there are plenty of trails. Great views of the river. The snack shake is open.

Have fun!
Written July 6, 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.

Jack L
East Syracuse, NY788 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2021
My visit was on September 13, 2021, a Monday, the day before I viewed the castle from below on the Connecticut River, while on the river boat off the Essex Train ride. I didn't realize the castle was in my future. Only after arrival did learn the visitor center was closed. I don't know if the castle itself can be toured. For the late season visit I would suggest a direct phone call for time & what can be toured.

Was able to photograph much of the castle's out side. The castle is quite the structure and about 200 yards above the Connecticut River. The castle was designed, owned & lived i by American stage actor William Gillette , who portrayed Sherlock Homes. William lived in the castle from 1919-1937. The castle is a three story plus tower structure, with 22 rooms, built of wood, cement & Connecticut field stones. Plenty of free parking.

If a person has an interest in type of medieval structure, this castle should not disappoint. This was my first castle & enjoyed the structure. The only thing missing was the drawbridge. A visit is recommended.
Written January 22, 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.

Adventure Diva
Manchester, CT2,789 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2021 • Friends
After 17 months of being closed, Gillette Castle is now open to the public. From a distance, it looks like a medieval sand castle. When you're up close, there are crooked lines and unmatched stones which is different than what you would expect. William Gillette took 25 years to complete the mansion. This is an out of the ordinary fortress that is worth checking out.

In addition to seeing the fortress, don't miss out on the grounds. You can see scenic views of the CT River and there are hiking trails and picnic spots for your enjoyment. If you follow the trail, it will lead you down to the river where you can catch the Chester-Hadlyme ferry. They recently reopened in April.
Written May 31, 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.

Old Mill
Lancaster, PA8 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2021
This remarkable place is the product of the actor who, in the 1890's, created our image of Sherlock Holmes. It was designed by him with great attention to detail. It's a monument to him AND to the local craftsmen who built it and decorated the interior. There are something like 28 hand 'carved' wooden doors - each one is different.
Written November 4, 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.

Gene R J
Silver Spring, MD10,794 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2021
My wife and I visited the private home of William Gillette, a stage performer who played Sherlock Holmes. He lived in this 3-story, 24-room, 14,000 sq ft castle from 1929-1937. Built of local fieldstone and supported by a steel frame, it is now undergoing a major restoration. The wikipedia article states that some of his notable guests included Charlie Chaplin and Albert Einstein.
We enjoyed its perch high above the Connecticut River and watching the small car ferry below. The estate is now a 122 acre state park.
Written May 25, 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.

Tracy J
1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Family
My family and I got here at 3:55pm to buy a ticket and the cashier told us to go around the bend to get the tickets. By the time we could find where to get the tickets it was 4:00 and they told us we can’t buy tickets after 4:00. Horrible service and horrible people running the place. Would not recommend.
Written July 11, 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.

WiseInTexas
The Woodlands, TX17 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2021 • Couples
If you’re into history, architecture, hiking, nature, and scenic vistas, this is a must visit! Gillette was as much of an inventor as an actor. The park employees do an excellent job of explaining the history and details of the castle. Before you visit, call and/or go to the state park website to determine the hours of operation, as they vary depending on the season. The park itself is always open from 8 AM till local sunset, so you can always view the exterior of the castle and the park grounds. If you want to tour the interior of the castle, check the days and hours of operation before visiting. To avoid a long wait, reserve a time slot over the phone before you visit.
Written November 19, 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.

SuperAdventure
Williamsburg, VA109 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2021
We stopped here on a road trip through the northeast. It was a really nice stop and we enjoyed our time visiting the castle. I wasn't sure that my kids 7 and 10 would appreciate it, but they both said it was better than they expected. We paid to do the tour of the inside and it was really neat and different to see the inside of the castle. I think there is like 42 doors in the castle and none of them are the same. There is 3 floors to see inside. They are currently working on the outside of the front of the castle so the view from the front is blocked by workers and trucks. The grounds around the castle had people hiking. Nice place to stop and reasonable price to get in. The workers were nice and informative.
Written June 27, 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.

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Gillette Castle State Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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