Bantony Castle — Attraction in Himachal Pradesh

I recently visited Bantony Castle, and it was one of the most memorable parts of my Shimla trip. This heritage site is located near Mall Road, just a short walk from Scandal Point, yet it feels peaceful and away from the busy crowds.

🏰 History & Architecture

Bantony Castle was built in the 1880s in classic Tudor (chalet-style) architecture — with wooden frames, sloped roofs, and old-world charm. It was originally the summer palace of the Maharaja of Sirmaur and later used by the British, then by the Himachal Police Department. Over time, it fell into disrepair, but thankfully the Himachal Pradesh government bought and restored it, opening it to the public in 2023 as a heritage and cultural center.

The restoration has kept the building’s colonial-era character intact while adding modern touches like a digital museum and beautiful landscaped lawns.

🖼️ Museum Experience

Inside the castle is a modern digital museum that walks you through the history of Shimla — from its early days, through the British Raj, the freedom movement, and into present times. The exhibits are very well done, with touchscreen displays, 3D models, and audio guides. I particularly liked the sections on: • Mahatma Gandhi’s visits to Shimla • Dr. Y.S. Parmar and Himachal’s statehood journey • The story of Satyanand Stokes and apple farming • Photos and maps of old Shimla

It’s not a huge museum, but it’s compact, clean, and thoughtfully curated.

🎆 Light & Sound Show

The light and sound show in the evening is a must-watch! It’s projected right on the castle building and beautifully narrates Shimla’s journey through time, with visuals, music, and narration by Anupam Kher (in both English and Hindi). It’s around 30 minutes long and gives you goosebumps with its storytelling. The sound and visuals are crisp, and the open-air setting adds to the charm.

🌿 Surroundings & Facilities • The castle is surrounded by well-maintained gardens and open spaces, perfect for a quiet walk or photos. • There’s seating outside, a small amphitheatre, and a food kiosk being planned soon. • Clean washrooms and drinking water available on-site. • Security and staff were polite and helpful.

💵 Visitor Information • Entry fee: ₹50 for the museum, ₹100 for the light & sound show (totally worth it) • Timings: 10 AM to 5 PM (museum); show starts in the evening (summer: after 8 PM) • Closed on Mondays • Easily accessible by car or a short walk from Mall Road/Kali Bari temple area

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✅ What I loved: • Historical architecture combined with modern presentation • Calm, open environment with no crowds • Insightful and engaging exhibits • Great for families, students, and history lovers • Very affordable and well-managed

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Final Verdict:

Bantony Castle is a shining example of heritage preservation done right. It’s educational, peaceful, and visually stunning. I highly recommend this place to anyone visiting Shimla — especially if you want to go beyond the usual tourist spots and connect with the city’s past in...

My wife and I stumbled upon a sign for a sound and light show while wandering along Mall Road, and it led us to the enchanting Bantony Castle, just a short 400 meters away. Little did we know what awaited us inside.

From the moment we laid eyes on the recently renovated Bantony Castle, we were captivated by its beauty. The intricate Victorian-style architecture, adorned with ornate balconies and arched windows, was simply breathtaking. As we ventured inside, we were treated to a glimpse of the exquisite trusses, adding to the castle's charm.

Originally built as a residence for a British aristocrat in the late 19th century, Bantony Castle has evolved over time to serve various purposes, from housing government offices to hosting cultural events. Its fusion of colonial elegance and Indian influences renders it a truly remarkable landmark against the backdrop of the majestic Himalayas.

The highlight of our visit was undoubtedly the mesmerizing sound and light show. We understood it was bit late for us to visit the museum. However, we were all set for the light and sound show. Set against the backdrop of the castle facade, the show, narrated by the esteemed Anupam Kher, offered a captivating journey through the history of Shimla. We were particularly impressed by the unique narration style, as if the castle itself was recounting its storied past. The stunning visuals and animations, seamlessly integrated with the castle facade, transported us back in time.

Overall, the sound and light show was the perfect complement to our visit to Bantony Castle. It's an experience not to be missed when exploring Shimla. We highly recommend adding it to your itinerary for a truly unforgettable visit to this charming...

As a professional review these days just going to see a quick review about this location one thing I would like to tell you that you are not allowed to go in just take photos from outside its like completely the only place from outside and remember taxis won't work here not because they don't want to but because they are not allowed by the government of Himachal Pradesh you can go there by walking if you are on the Mall Road it's so close have a little bit of what it's good for health to rest I would hardly say you if you are going to extend your plan one day Mall just for visiting this location it's not worth it only see this place while you are getting around 2 Indian institute of advanced studies which is on the same day and opposite 28 there is a bird sanctuary you can also go there so thank you for reading my review this was all about castle. Additional I am also adding the photos opposite to it have...