August 2, 2024
9 mins
Destination: United Kingdom
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10 of the Best Castles in the UK
Who doesn’t love visiting a castle to step back in time to a world of brave knights, royal banquets, and epic battles? There are castles in every corner of the UK, steeped in history, with towering turrets and centuries of secrets, they make for a wonderful day out.
Many castles have succumbed to ruin across the years whilst others have been restored to their former glory and invite millions of visitors each year to walk amongst the corridors and marvel at the walls once graced by former kings and queens.
Below we delve into 10 of the best castles in the UK that we feel are worth visiting.
Map of 10 best UK castles
Warwick Castle
Over 1000 years in the making, Warwick Castle is a magnificent castle offering a year-round historical experience. It is a fantastic example of an original motte-and-bailey castle subsquently rebuilt in stone during the 12th century. You can tour the castle, visiting areas from grand banqueting halls to the beautiful castle grounds. A range of family-focused events to history and even ghost tours are also available to book.
Active England tip: Check out the list of events that Warwick Castle run throughout the year. From music festivals to jousting and children’s entertainment there is lots to see and do at this castle.
Address: Warwick Castle, Castle Lane, Warwick, CV34 4QU
Windsor Castle
World famous, Windsor Castle has played host to royalty for over 1000 years. Built by William the Conqueror it is one of Britain’s finest castles with magnificent state rooms, the iconic Long Walk and grand banqueting halls. It has hosted many Royal events over the centuries with the most recent jubilant weddings of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle and Princess Eugine to Jack Brooksbank at St George’s Chapel in Windsor. Famously, in 1992 part of the castle was destroyed in a fire, but it was restored over the following 5 years. You can visit the castle throughout the year and at certain times there are special tours of areas such as the Kitchen and the Towers.
Active England tip: The Long Walk and Deer Park are free to the public to explore and offer a wonderful outdoor space to explore with the castle in view.
Address: Windsor Castle, Castle Hill, Windsor SL4 1PE
Alnwick Castle
Northumberland is home to several castles and ruins, with Alnwick Castle being a standout, must-visit castle. Dating back to 1309 the castle is the second largest inhabited castle in the UK. It is home to the Percy family which has been resident for over 700 years. Unlike Bamburgh Castle, which was left to ruin, Alnwick Castle has been maintained and is now a wonderful attraction to visit. You can visit Alnwick Castle as part of our Northumberland tours.
Active England tip: Spot areas of the castle and grounds that are used as a filming location, appearing in the likes of Downton Abbey and Harry Potter.
Address: Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, NE66 1NQ
Sudeley Castle
Sudeley Castle is a fantastic place to visit for all ages. The Castle offers plenty of engaging activities and events throughout the year for little ones as well as a fantastic castle themed play area. Unsurprisingly, the castle is steeped in history, with connections to the Royal family spanning 1000 years. Queen Katherine Parr the last and surviving wife of King Henry VIII lived and died in the castle. Discover more about the Henry VIII and Tudor era as you explore the castle walls. You can visit Sudeley castle as part of our Cotswold tours.
Active England tip: Take the family, as Sudeley Castle has a wonderful fortress style play area as well as other family friendly events throughout the year.
Address: Sudeley Castle & Gardens, Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, GL54 5JD
Caernarfon Castle
This fortress-palace on the banks of the River Seiont is grouped with Edward I’s other castles at Conwy, Beaumaris and Harlech as a World Heritage Site. But for sheer scale and architectural drama Caernarfon stands alone. It is a castle born out of a bitter war – much of the architecture is designed in such a way to withstand attacks and to warn off enemies. With the imposing King’s Gate and immense curtain walls it is certainly what you might imagine when you picture a classic castle. You can visit year-round and it is the perfect place to absorb the history of the Prince of Wales’s legacy.
Active England tip: Look out for the medieval re-enactors day for fun and entertainment! Experience medieval life within the walls of Castell Caernarfon, with combat displays, archery, dancing and demonstrations.
Address: Castell Caernarfon, Castle Ditch, Caernarfon, LL55 2AY
https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/castell-caernarfon
Chillingham Castle
Holding the title of Britain’s most haunted historic castle Chillingham is another Northern treasure. This castle can be traced in history books to royalty and Shakespeare. Today the medieval castle remains as it was, with just a few adjustments during the Tudor period and the walls and architectural detail retain the castle’s character.
Active England tip: Unique to Chillingham, are the cattle with the same name as the castle. Chillingham Cattle are the only surviving wild cattle in the world and are a reminder of the herds that once roamed the forests of Britain. You can join a cattle tour along with a castle tour to learn more.
Address: Chillingham Castle, Chillingham, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 5NJ
Bamburgh Castle
Towering over the North Sea, poised on the edge of Bamburgh beach, is the magnificent Bamburgh Castle. With records dating back to AD547, the numerous castle key holders over the centuries have left a wealth of fascinating artefacts and heirlooms. Walk through the years of history, left by royals, politicians and military alike. The castle was fundamental in the Anglo-Saxon era, laying the foundations for Bamburgh and Lindisfarne being one of the most important centres in early Christianity. Today you can enjoy the interior rooms as well as the exterior of the castle walls and archaeology.
Active England tip: Walk down onto the beach to admire the castle in its full glory. There is rugged sand dunes and a picturesque beach to explore.
Address: Bamburgh Castle, Bamburgh, Northumberland, NE69 7DF
Dunrobin Castle
The most northerly of Scotland’s great houses, it is referred to as the ‘jewel in the crown of the highlands’. Resembling a French Chateau the castle was re-modelled in 1845 by Sir Charles Barry in who designed London’s Houses of Parliament. Originally the castle has records dating back to 1235 where it is believed to have originally been an early medieval fort. In recent history, the castle was used as a naval hospital during the First World War and as a boy’s boarding school from 1965 – 1972. Perched on a high terrace about a walled garden, Dunrobin is a fairytale castle worth exploring. It is open to the public from April through until the end of October, annually.
Active England tip: The falconry experience is not to be missed as verified by our Marketing Manager, Lawrence. The resident falconer demonstrates and explains the different hunting methods used by owls, hawks and falcons in a series of fascinating aerobatic displays. Every show creates superb photographic opportunities.
Address: Dunrobin Castle, Golspie, Sutherland, Scotland, KW10 6SF
Tintagel Castle
Linked with the legend of King Arthur, Tintagel Castle is built on half the mainland and half the jagged headland projecting into the Cornish Sea. History and legend are intertwined at this castle with records of the Cornish stronghold dating back as far as the 5th century AD. The remains visible at Tintagel today belong to a 13th-century castle built for the hugely rich and ambitious Richard, Earl of Cornwall, brother of King Henry III.
Before entering the castle, you are greeted with dramatic, cliff-top views as you then cross the footbridge to the island as Tintagel’s medieval inhabitants would have once done.
Active England tip: Along with the ruins and the castle, take time to explore the island, and beach and enjoy locally produced food at the beach café.
Address: Castle Rd, Tintagel PL34 0HE
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/tintagel-castle/
Edinburgh Castle
The famous landmark in Scotland’s capital city needs little introduction. It will capture your imagination and take your breath away with the dramatic scenery and architecture that is now part of the Edinburgh World Heritage Site. The castle has been linked to military and royalty for centuries. The strategic advantage is clear with the hilltop positioning, the castle has suffered many sieges and has changed hands many times. Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to James VI in the then Royal Palace in 1566 and he later united the crowns of Scotland and England. You can now enjoy many aspects of the Castle at your leisure with an audio guide to show you around.
Active England tip: For an indulgent treat, visit The Tea Rooms, nestled at the top of the castle in the Crown Square. Offering Afternoon Tea or a selection of other meals and snacks it is a great place to rest your legs after walking the castle and surrounds.
Address: Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NG
How many Castles are there in the UK?
There are approximately 4000 castles across the UK with Wales being hailed as the ‘land of castles’ housing 427 of them. The definition of a castle is what gives the disparity on a final number. Many of the former Roman forts were left to fall to ruin and therefore are classified as ‘Castle ruins’. There are approximately 300 castles in the UK that still have some form of standing structure.
What is the oldest castle in the UK?
There are differing opinions on which castle in the UK is technically the oldest. It is generally accepted that Windsor Castle in Berkshire is the oldest castle in Britain, with William the Conqueror starting building around 1070. Although it took approximately 16 years to complete. It is certainly the oldest inhabited castle and is still used by the British Royal Family today. The building of Norwich Castle and Lincoln Castle were also started around the same time.
Pevensey Castle in East Sussex could arguably be the oldest castle in the UK but there is no solid evidence except for coins found on the site that date it to after AD 268. The castle started as a Roman fort built approximately AD 285 and 290. The former medieval castle was then gradually built up over the 3rd century to meet the threat of the Saxon pirates who were raiding the south coast of Roman Britain at the time.
What is the largest castle in the UK?
This fact is also debated. Windsor Castle is the largest inhabited castle in the UK whilst Dover Castle occupies a larger land mass with the boundary wall occupying 30 acres versus 19 acres at Windsor Castle.
As well as the historical significance and archaeological masterpieces, many castles host exhibitions, reenactments, and events that celebrate the UK’s cultural heritage. Visitors can experience traditional music, dance, and festivals, deepening their understanding of the local culture and traditions.
By visiting castles, you can contribute to the preservation and maintenance of these historical sites. Entrance fees and donations help fund restoration projects and ensure that future generations can also enjoy these magnificent structures.
Many of these Castles are near to where our walking or cycling tours visit. Check out our tour destinations for inspiration on your next UK trip.
