Tudor Castle

Tudor Castle is one of the youngest manor houses in the Bruges hinterland, tucked among woods and gardens in the Sint-Andries district. This neo-Gothic estate, raised at the start of the 20th century, takes its name from the architectural style that shaped it — English Gothic of the Tudor period — which explains its turrets, crenellated parapets and brick facades that feel more at home in the English countryside than in West Flanders.

Who built the castle, and why?

The estate was commissioned in 1904 by knight Stanislas van Outryve d'Ydewalle. The design of the building, its interior decoration and the surrounding French garden were all entrusted to Baron Kervyn de Lettenhove. Their collaboration produced a structure that Belgium's heritage commission for monuments and landscapes later singled out as a rare and fairly pure 20th-century interpretation of Tudor-style architecture — a style that had developed mainly on British soil, making its appearance near Bruges an exception rather than a common trend.

How did ownership change over time?

The property's history traces a broader pattern seen with historic estates across Belgium. In 1980, the city of Bruges purchased both the castle and its surrounding grounds, taking on responsibility for their upkeep. At the start of the 2000s, the castle building itself passed into private hands, while the park, ornamental garden, herb garden and woodland remained under municipal ownership. This split means visitors today can wander freely through the green spaces while access to the historic interior is more limited, since the building now serves a different purpose.

What can visitors see on site today?

The estate spans a castle forest, a landscaped park, an ornamental garden and a herb garden — the latter valued for its educational role and popular with visitors interested in medicinal plants. The castle building itself, while not open as a historic house museum, now contains function rooms, a restaurant and a bar, offering a partial glimpse of the interior during dining events or private functions.

Where exactly is the castle located?

Tudor Castle stands at Zeeweg 147 in Sint-Andries, on the outskirts of Bruges. Its location makes it an easy addition to a visit centred on the historic city core — a walk through the castle grounds offers a quieter counterpoint to Bruges' busier medieval streets.

Frequently asked questions

Can visitors enter Tudor Castle? The historic building itself is privately owned and houses a restaurant, bar and function rooms, so interior access is mainly tied to dining events, while the surrounding park, gardens and woodland remain open to the public.

Why is a Belgian castle named "Tudor"? The name refers to the architectural style — English Gothic of the Tudor era — that inspired its design, not to any historical link with England itself.

Who designed the castle? Baron Kervyn de Lettenhove created the design in 1904, commissioned by knight Stanislas van Outryve d'Ydewalle.

Is entry to the grounds free? The park, ornamental garden and herb garden belong to the city of Bruges and function as public green space, open to visitors at no charge.