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Full of secrets and scandals, Britain’s castles are full of stories. Marking where battles were won and dynasties were upheld, these royal residences come battle forts mark history’s most famous moments.

Beyond tours and exhibitions, there are lots of new ways to get hands-on with history. Witness a sword-clashing skirmish between medieval knights, sleep in the childhood home of a former queen, or party in the real-life Downton Abbey? Here are just some of our most treasured castles, along with the one-of-a-kind experiences you can find…

Visit some of England’s favourite castles

Windsor

Walk through 1,000 years of history at Windsor Castle, exploring its opulent state rooms and superb royal artefacts.

Royal Collection Trust / © His Majesty King Charles III 2022

Visitors with ice cream, Windsor Castle
Warwick

Spectacular shows and attractions, spellbinding storytelling and exhilarating experiences make Warwick Castle one for bringing history alive.

gary718/Shutterstock

Warwick, England

A hot air balloon floats over Warwick Castle in Warwickshire, England.
London

Get hands-on with history at this former palace and prison. It’s full of tales and treasures, including the Crown Jewels.

Visit Britain/George Johnson

Beefeater walking by the, Tower of London on a sunny day
Highclere Castle

Step inside the real Downton Abbey.

VisitBritain/Anastasia Ustenikova

Food truck and direction signs at a festival at Highclere Castle with house behind
Hever Castle

Hever Castle was the childhood home Henry VIII’s second wife, Anne Boleyn, who later became queen of England for just 1,000 days.

VisitBritain/Pete Seaward

A man and woman in a rowing boat, rowing in still waters
Alnwick Castle

A really magical day - the setting of wizarding schools for Harry Potter, Alnwick Castle even offers magic performances and wand-making workshops.

VisitBritain

Young woman hovering on a broomstick in the Outer Bailey of Alnwick Castle
Bamburgh, United Kingdom

Overlooking the golden sands of Bamburgh beach, this magnificent fortress is one of Britain’s biggest inhabited castles.

VisitBritain/Chris Ceasar

View from a distance of a castle on hill near a beach
Leeds Castle

Leeds Castle is jam-packed with things to do: from an adventure golf course and mind-boggling maze, to a Bird of Prey Centre and outdoor art sculptures.

VisitBritain/Ben Selway

Woman in a punt on the moat looking towards castle

The best castles in Scotland

Edinburgh, Scotland

Discover this dramatic fortress, perched on top of an extinct volcano at the top of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile.

VisitBritain/Steven Oates

Edinburgh

Green and red deck chairs laid out on grass in a park
Craigievar Castle

A striking fairytale castle that hosts anything from Shakespeare plays to wilderness survival skill workshops.

VisitBritain/Ramona Jones

Woman walking on a path between grass, towards a castle
Stirling Castle

Venture into Stirling Castle’s Palace Vaults, stroll the Queen Anne gardens, and experience the opulence of royal life in the 1500s.

valentynagretchyn

A woman posing in front of Stirling Castle, Scotland
Eilean Donan Castle

Immerse yourself in Scottish heritage. Eilean Donan sits in an incredible setting: the castle’s stone turrets are surrounded by rugged peaks, and it sits at the meeting point of three west coast lochs – Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh.

VisitBritain/Guy Richardson

Aerial view of castle and surrounding countryside
Urquhart Castle

Visitors to Urquhart Castle have recorded many Loch Ness Monster sightings over the years, and it even features in a 1955 photo of Nessie.

Inverness & Loch Ness

A view from above Urquhart Castle on the banks of Loch Ness in Scotland.
Dunrobin Castle

Dunrobin Castle is the most northerly of Scotland's great houses, and the biggest in the Northern Highlands – with an incredible 189 rooms.

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A view from below Dunrobin Castle, Scotland
Culzean

This is no ordinary castle: Culzean has its very own beach, country park, Adventure Cove – and much more.

VisitScotland/Kenny Lam

Culzean Castle and Country Park
Drummond Castle Gardens

One for nature lovers, Drummond Castle Gardens offer everything from snowy splendour in winter, to a summertime riot of colour.

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Drummond Castle Gardens

The best castles in Wales

Cardiff, Wales

Step into history at Caerphilly Castle which dates back to the 13th-century.

VisitWales

Cardiff, Wales

A woman in sunglasses looking out across Caerphilly Castle
Castell Coch

Almost plucked straight from a fairytale, Castell Coch is a Medieval style castle built by Victorians, and is surrounded by woodland idyl.

Cadw Photographic Library

Wales

A juggler in costume juggling balls at Castell Coch in Wales
Raglan Castle

Cutting a megalithic figure on the Monmouthshire countryside, Raglan Castle features turrets, moats and a Tudor tours and falconry days.

Tom Martin/WALES NEWS SERVICE

SVW-C47-1617-0003
Harlech Castle

Explore dramatic ruins of Harlech Castle through immersive storytelling, Knight School and staged battles all with a backdrop of Snowdonia.

VisitBritain/Lee Beel

Castle standing on a grassy hilltop. Blue skies and clouds
Caernarfon Castle

More than 700 years old, Caernarfon Castle towers over the River Seiont in North Wales and among its turrets and settings is ram-packed with events.

VisitBritain/Lee Beel

Row boats in a moat surrounding a castle
Conwy, North Wales

Standing tall for more than 700 years, this Medieval fortress overlooks the pretty town of Conwy – both a joy to explore.

VisitBritain/David Angel

North Wales

A castle lit up at night in winter snow near harbour
Beaumaris Castle

Explore the packed events of the near-finished Beaumaris Castle - the last to be built by King Edward I in North Wales.

Cadw Photographic Library

Man in costume carrying crossbow during a show at Beaumaris Castle, Wales
Laugharne Castle

This part castle, part Tudor mansion see Laugharne Castle - the place that inspired famous Welsh poet Dylan Thomas.

Crown Copyright (2022) Cadw

View from the outside of Laugharne Castle

British castles you can stay in

Warwick Castle, Warwickshire

Fancy staying in a medieval castle? Built by William the Conqueror in 1068, the imposing Warwick Castle holds two hidden gems within the 14th-century Caesar’s Tower. Fit for royalty, you can choose from two private chambers to spend the night in this British castle. The suites are decorated in traditional medieval style complete with four-poster beds and dark wooden furniture. Each booking includes the full VIP service with two-day Warwick Castle entry tickets, champagne on arrival, a concierge service, breakfast, a private tour of the castle, afternoon tea and more.

gary718/Shutterstock

Warwick Castle

A hot air balloon floats over Warwick Castle in Warwickshire, England.

Langley Castle, Northumberland

For a dramatic building that makes a statement, Langley castle ticks the boxes. This 14th-century castle hotel has a rich history of Lords and Ladies. There are nine opulently designed rooms within the castle with original features dotted throughout. The castle is a popular stop-off point between England and Scotland, Hadrian’s Wall is close by and the Lake District is around a one hour drive.

Peckforton Castle, Cheshire

Built around 1850, this medieval-style castle was given Grade I listed status in 1952. At Peckforton Castle you can expect a luxurious stay with mod-cons including underfloor heating and 24-hour in-room dining, all set within the original features of the hotel. With accessible bedrooms available and a choice of fine dining, you can expect turrets, towers and four-poster beds.

Roch Castle, Pembrokeshire

With a domineering position high on a rocky outcrop, at stay in Roch Castle provides renovated  modern luxury within the walls of this 12th-century stronghold. The castle, built by the Norman Knight Adam de Rupe, boasts 360 degree views of the Pembrokeshire coastline and surrounding countryside and offers bed and Welsh breakfast.

Planet Wales

The sun setting behind Roch Castle in Wales.

Thornbury Castle, Gloucestershire  

Wander in the footsteps of kings and queens at Thornbury Castle. Once owned by King Henry VIII and Queen Mary I, choose from a number of bedchambers, with tapestries, fabrics and period furniture taking you on a journey back to Tudor Britain. You can even sleep in the Henry VIII Suite, where the king himself stayed in 1535 with his wife at the time, Anne Boleyn.

Inverlochy Castle, Fort William

The 19th-century castle in the Scottish Highlands once received high praise from Queen Victoria, who spent a week at Inverlochy Castle in 1873 while on a trip to Balmoral, declaring: “I never saw a lovelier or more romantic spot”. Inside the castle hotel, bedrooms are warm and inviting and there are three dining rooms to choose from, overseen by world-renowned chef Michel Roux Jr. Dining here is high end yet inclusive, with separate vegan and vegetarian menus, afternoon tea and a suitably mammoth whisky list.

Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland

Make the famous walls of Bamburgh Castle your home with a stay at The Clock Tower, a luxurious yet cosy apartment built into the 13th century tower and turret of the castle walls. Offering striking views over some of Northumberland’s most impressive scenery, you’ll get exclusive access to the castle grounds, as well as the state rooms when the castle is open. The quirky three-bedroom accommodation offers a delightful mix of antique furniture, stylish heritage décor and the latest modern appliances. 

VisitBritain

Rear view of man standing in a landscape looking at a castle

Sherbrooke Castle, Glasgow

Sherbrook Castle Hotel is a baronial building crafted in rich red sandstone. Offering not only rooms within the walls of the castle itself, you can also book cottage and garden suites. The luxurious bedrooms are the ideal place to relax after an action-packed day exploring Glasgow. Sherbrooke Castle Hotel is located on the south side of the city in the peaceful surroundings of Pollokshields.

Hedingham Castle, Essex

Fit for a king or a queen, The Royal Chamber at Hedingham Castle offers a grand four poster bed so you can experience the royal treatment in the heights of the castle. While guests had previously been able to stay in properties located around the castle’s medieval park, you can now spend the night inside the 900-year-old building itself. Soak up the room’s majesty in the spacious double bath before venturing out to explore the surrounding Essex countryside.