Loved this site, enjoyed it more than Stonehenge. Arrived early, just after 10am. Best time is usually early, it was starting to get busier by time we left around 11.30.

The car park is just at the end of the path to the grounds, 1 minute walk, free for EH members too. You pass the shop first - even if you pre-booked tickets you need to go check in at the shop (there wasn’t a sign for that so we didn’t, and found out further along we needed to go back to check in). Takes a minute, super quick. Then you reach the site entrance where an EH staff member gives you a map and tells you a couple of highlights about the site - nice, very helpful, smiling and not pushy. We didn’t opt for the audio tour. Then you’re free to roam about. There’s so much history at this site and the ruins are amazing - incredibly big with great intact parts, key features still preserved and explained, lots of signage to explain what you’re looking at etc. In one area, by the Elizabethan bed chamber, there was another staff member who was really nice and directed us through without being forceful or trying to interact too much. Your imagine runs wild thinking what this place would have been like in full swing back when it was at its prime with its stone spiral staircases, the gardens, the big fireplaces and huge windows; this place felt magical and almost unreal. If you’re into history, architecture, fantasy or old-fashioned romance you’ll love this site. We didn’t try the cafe but it looked pretty nice, but as we arrived before the site opened we got breakfast locally - there is a great little cafe around the corner called Morning Sunshine which does amazing food and is really well priced. The shop was a little small, but probably the right size for the site, the product was reasonably priced and an interesting array, though we did not buy anything. All in all a really nice site and will probably visit again.