Mount Stuart
Mount Stuart
4.5
11:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
11:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
11:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
11:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
11:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
11:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
11:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
11:30 AM - 4:00 PM
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

See what travelers are saying

  • Solway73
    Carlisle, United Kingdom94 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Well worth a visit to one of Scotlands great houses
    Visited on a warm and sunny May day . First impressions were of a large and well kept estate with a wonderful selection of shrubs and trees. Staff at entry were very helpful. A lift service is available for those in need. The entrance hall is very imposing with a generous use of expensive marble and stained glass. The drawing room must be one of the best in Scotland. Upstairs a selection of bedrooms are on display which include a 1930s style en suite. Only negative comment on the house is the lack of family memorabilia on display. Sadly the house is no longer lived in ,and does have a bit of a museum atmosphere! Surely this could be resolved with a little imagination. Also no mention at all of the former servants , who must have played a major role in running such a large house. A good cafe is available, with a pleasant area for outdoor eating. The estate has some fine walks ,which include some loops which take in a very attractive foreshore. Well worth a visit to one of Scotlands great houses.
    Visited May 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written May 15, 2024
  • LaurenSCO
    Scotland, United Kingdom103 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The most beautiful house!
    Mount Stuart is absolutely beautiful! Every room we went into was more beautiful than the other. Drew was extremely knowledgable and gave us some great history on the house! He was fantastic! We had an amazing time and even the pouring rain couldn’t spoil the day! It is a must see for everyone!
    Visited May 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written May 23, 2024
  • LauraB495
    Birmingham, United Kingdom8 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Stunning house
    This is a jaw-dropping house with so much detailed craftsmanship inside, what a stunner! We had a private tour and Margaret and Liam were very knowledgeable, while also accommodating my mum in a wheelchair. We can't thank them enough for making our visit to this special place even more special. It would be great to be able to use a buggy or borrow a wheelchair outside so my mum could see the extensive grounds.
    Visited May 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written May 27, 2024
  • chrisandmike_10
    Morpeth, United Kingdom125 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Give yourself some time for this- it is worth it
    Brilliant hidden gem. The house is fantastic to look at outside but wait till you go inside!! Stunning. The gardens are also worth taking time to walk around - better if you can go when weather has been fine as some walks are through woods. It was a very rainy day so we did not get to see all we could have but if we are around that way again we will go in for sure.
    Visited May 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written May 27, 2024
  • Jenni G
    3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Well worth a visit
    I am not really one for stately homes, but I am so glad I went here! I thought I would spend an hour or 2 here, but spent 4 hours - mostly looking round the gardens and eating my picnic on the beach area. It is a wonderful place where you will say "wow" at almost every turn
    Visited June 2024
    Traveled solo
    Written June 16, 2024
  • RuthyGlasgow
    833 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Just love love this place!
    Great history of the Stuarts and their link to our Royal Family. Amazing building, just loving the beautiful white marble chapel and the atrium looking up to the beautiful ceiling showing the constellation of the stars. Love the bedroom of the 3rd Marquis of Bute with his conservatory next to the pillars and beautiful doors, though there was not a lot of plants from my last visit and there were some plastic plants? Wonder what the 3rd Marquis would say to that?This is my second time here now but would so love for other rooms to be opened. I'm sorry but we did not like or appreciate the modern art by Alberta Whittle, sitting right in the atrium as soon as you walk into the house. Old doors?? It just took the look and feel away from the beautiful pillars etc. For us it all should have been in another room away from the grandeur of the house, not stuck in our faces as soon as we entered? It was great to walk around the estate and lucky enough that it was not raining. Not a lot of flowers though. Cute little shop with souvenirs and the carrot cake in the cafe was delicious. A very good place to while away a few hours. We are lucky to have it.
    Visited June 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written July 2, 2024
  • CLE68
    Perth and Kinross, United Kingdom486 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Spectacular!
    Lovely visit to Mount Stuart. A very impressive stately home set in beautiful gardens. The grandeur and decor is breathtaking- such opulence. Knowledgeable guides in the rooms who are happy to answer questions.The gardens are also spectacular especially the rock garden. Easy to purchase tickets online. Definitely a highlight of our trip to Bute.
    Visited July 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written July 2, 2024
  • Lewis S
    38 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Out of this world!
    Everyone who visits Bute should definitely visit Mount Stuart. One of the most stunning buildings I have ever seen, and one of the best examples of Victorian Gothic architecture. I won't mention everything that can be seen in the house, but two of my favourites were the marble chapel and the 12 stained glass windows depicting the zodiac signs in the style of Greek Mythology. The staff within the house are highly knowledgeable and will answer all your questions. Staff at ticket office and café were lovely as well. In addition to the house, the grounds are also beautiful and are well worth a look on a nice day. The grounds are also perfect for people with dogs and cyclists. The house combined with the gardens can easily take yo a whole day and is a great trip for people of all ages to enjoy
    Visited July 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written July 12, 2024
  • Viv
    Edinburgh, United Kingdom12 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Mount Stuart - a must see !!
    Outstanding. Takes your breath away. Each room better than the next. A must. If you are on Bute book a visit you won’t be disappointed. The guides in each room are so warm and knowledgeable they bring the house to life. With the beautiful house and gardens and excellent wee cafe you can spend the full day xx
    Visited July 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written July 16, 2024
  • Pandabuddie
    United Kingdom1,662 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful
    A beautiful house in lovely grounds. Had a lovely few hours looking about and enjoyed the history of the house. The attention to detail on the ceilings is just stunning and the marble is gorgeous. All staff very informative as well. Would recommend a visit.
    Visited August 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written August 13, 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.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles1,313 reviews
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222
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vickiebypass
Stamford, CT297 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022
I've wanted to visit this stately home & garden for years but never made it to Bute. This was the trip! I was there on a day of pelting rain, so didn't do the gardens but the house was well worth the entry fee. It's a self-guided tour and they provide a floor map but encourage you to ask the room guides questions (and they volunteer info about each room as you enter). I like to buy the guide book before I go through, so I can read it and look for the details they mention in each room. Their book is £3 and is available in the round ticket house or the cafe.

I loved meandering through the rooms and asking the room docents questions. They were fountains of information and I learned so much more than what I had asked. When I mentioned my sore knee, one docent suggested that I use a portable seat (those foldable seats) which was very helpful in each room.

Such amazing decoration (walls, ceilings and furnishings) in each room/area - each was a surprise. Lots of little details to appreciate, like carved acorns in moldings; birds & fruit on tapestry border; zodiac references throughout; ceiling decor; friezes; and more. I spent almost 3 hours. The cafe was a nice treat on a rainy day - several options including hot soup.

Bus goes from central square to Mount Stuart, but only once an hour so you need to plan your arrival, ticket time and departure around the bus schedule.
Written May 21, 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.
Hi vickiebypass Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback on your visit. I am pleased to hear that you enjoyed your visit to the house and the café. We hope to welcome you here at Mount Stuart again and you can enjoy exploring the gardens Kind regards Marina
Written September 21, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

OH_traveller
Perth, UK22 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2022 • Couples
I’ve been kayaking past this place for over 20 years, always meant to come and visit, so when the weather destroyed this year’s kayak trip I thought I’d play tourist.

Wow. I’m so pleased I did. What a fabulous place, both historically and architecturally. It absolutely oozes class and refinement, and as each key space has a highly informed guide, you get a story about the room. And they have the knowledge to answer questions and engage in discussion.

The gardens and policies are outstanding as well, and the cafeteria/coffee shop serves excellent soup, light snacks and sandwiches. Even at 16:00. Unlike other ‘castles ‘ in the geographic area!

Very, very impressive place. I thoroughly recommend a visit.
Written October 24, 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.
Dear OH_traveller, Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback on your recent visit to Mount Stuart. I am glad that you were impressed by your visit to the house, our guides are very passionate and really add to the overall experience! I am delighted that you enjoyed the gardens and cafe too. We hope to welcome you again soon to Mount Stuart. Kind regards, Marina
Written December 20, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

ERICA1104
36 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021 • Couples
Such an amazing place, the stories in the detail of the interior us do interesting. And if that doesn't float your boat it's still stunning to look at. The guides are so knowledable and passionate and it certainly rubs off.
I'd say there covid set up is a wee bit disappointing considering I've been on full tour. Not as much information given and you have to make your own way round the space.
Disappointed the shop wasn't open. Not really an excuse. And no hot food. Hopefully normal will return soon.
I would recommend a walk to the beach as we saw seals sunning themselves on the rocks.
Written September 22, 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.
Dear Ericaelle16 Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback on your visit and I'm delighted that you enjoyed speaking with our guides. Self-guided admission is a great way to view the house as it gives visitors the flexibility to explore at their own pace. It's something that we offer in a normal year and is not related to Covid-19. We are however, still facing a number of operational challenges which have led to the temporary closure of our shop and reduced menu at our cafe. We hope to return to normal operations in 2022 and thank you for your patience and understanding. Once again thank you for taking the time to provide feedback on your visit and we look forward to welcoming you back to Mount Stuart in the future. Kind regards Louisa
Written October 11, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Alison K
28 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023 • Solo
Did a guided tour of the house. So much information which was great. Guide was very knowledgeable but kept asking why we were so quiet. It was mostly due to everyone being very interested but also no time to ask any questions due to being given so much info. It would have been nice to have some time at the end to ask questions but the next group were waiting so this wasn’t possible. The gardens are huge and spectacular. It’s easy to spend a whole day there. Only one recommendation and that would be to have a summerhouse or small sheltered seating here and there for rainy days or elderly who need to rest out of the sun. I need to go again as I couldn’t do it justice in one day.
Written May 8, 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.

saniyan
London, UK41 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022
The house isn't very old (1870s) but my word the architecture and attention to detail is simply stunning. Website suggested a 2 hour visit to the house but that is way too short if you want to admire everything, down to intricately carved light switches, door handles and hinges. What made our visit that bit extra special was the staff who were on hand in every room to explain the history and architecture, without ever getting in the way. The cafe was reasonably priced and served nice food. We didn't explore the gardens given time constraints but if the house is anything to go by the gardens will be stunning too.
Written September 6, 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.
Dear saniyan, Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback on your visit to Mount Stuart. I am delighted that you found your visit to the house enjoyable and that our guides added to your overall experience. Like you say its quite detailed and the grounds are quite extensive so a full day or return visit is needed to really enjoy both! We look forward to welcoming you again soon to Mount Stuart House and Gardens. Kind regards, Marina
Written December 20, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

John S
Bristol, UK372 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022
Going round room by room was quite an experience, with each room displaying beautiful craftsmanship, amazing pictures, interesting furniture. All the guides were extremely knowledgeable and keen to share it with you. Occasionally it was a bit overpowering but all in all this was well worth the money.
Written August 18, 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.
Dear John S, Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback for your visit to Mount Stuart House! I am glad that you enjoyed viewing the wonderful objects the house has to offer. Our guides are very passionate which I hope added to your overall experience. We look forward to welcoming you again to Mount Stuart soon. Kind regards, Marina
Written December 20, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

lindsey h
28 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Couples
We visited along with my parents in early July. The house is beautiful, and after and early lunch in the cafe ( very nice and good value) we toured the house. This was a self tour and we were given a map and met by knowledgable and friendly guides in each room . The Elderly gentleman in the drawing room was one of our highlights and we could have chatted to him all day!
Amazing interior, fascinating history of the family but we were left disappointed that you didn’t get to see more as the house is clearly huge and had lots of other areas we wanted to see and we had read about that weren’t on the self tour - no smoking room, swimming pool, billiard room etc. at £16.50 for entry we saw the house in around 90 mins and wandered through the gardens - it’s pretty expensive for what you have access to. I believe you maybe see more on the guided tours but at £40pp we felt that was a bit steep!
Worth a visit, go on a nice day to enjoy the gardens and beach and visit the cafe for lunch or a coffee.
Written July 5, 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.

1999misha
Edinburgh, UK30 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022
An amazing place. So beautiful. The people are so friendly and proud of the place and are willing to answer all of your questions.

Paid extra to see the exhibition too and it was highly interesting fantasy to fabrication which showed how the designers and architects came up with ideas and the progression through to reality.

A beautiful place and may it long be open to the public and admired by all.

There is so much to see and do and well worth the money. There is a good cafe serving a wide selection of food hot and cold and a gift shop.

Besides the house there are beautiful gardens and walks and one walk takes you to the beach.

On a beautiful day you could spend all day here.
Written June 11, 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.
Dear 1999misha, Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback on your visit to Mount Stuart. I am delighted that our guides provided you with answers to all your questions and to hear you found the exhibition so interesting! We look forward to welcoming you back to Mount Stuart in the future! Kind regards, Marina
Written October 3, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Hillary S
Wigan, UK265 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2021
Already a great fan of Castel Coch, just outside Cardiff in Wales, visiting Mount Stuart was even more jaw dropping. The interiors of this neo-gothic mansion were mind blowing with so much attention to detail in every surface, corner, window, ceiling.
Our visit was only let down by the cafe not running to its full service (by reputation, one of the best on the island) and the shop not being open to browse in for momentos of our visit.
Written October 12, 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.
Dear Hillary S Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback on your visit. I'm pleased to confirm that our cafe and shop have returned to regular service following the removal of Covid restrictions. We look forward to welcoming you back to Mount Stuart soon. Kind regards Louisa
Written April 27, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Mike C
Guildford, UK1,078 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2021
The most remarkable interior, pure opulence

The outside of the building is gothic, other than the part remaining from the burnt down previous building, and its austere look is a total contract to what you will find inside.

Walking through what might be considered the front door, even though it is at the back, you quickly enter a very impressive hallway with columns, balconies and amazing decoration.

The house reflects the sheer wealth of the Marquesses of Bute that built and developed the house. The rooms are set out with remarkable decoration, furniture and artefacts.

There is no point in trying to do it justice other than to say this is a must if you are near Bute, an Island reached by ferry.
Written September 26, 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.
Dear Mike C Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback on your visit and we look forward to welcoming you back to Mount Stuart soon. Kind regards Louisa
Written October 11, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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Mount Stuart - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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