With a long royal history, it is no surprise that you will find magnificent castles in all shapes and sizes dotted all across England. Here you can delight in learning about the rich history, battles, murders and mysteries, and possible ghosts that still haunt Britain’s castles.
Castles first appeared in England in the 11th century and continued to be built well into the 18th century. They were initially built for military and defence purposes, but they were soon also used as private fortified residences for feudal lords and were eventually built more for show than fortification.
Of the earliest castles, a few of the important ones like the White Tower in the Tower of London were built of stone, but most of the early castles were motte-and-bailey castles made with earthwork and timbers because they could be built quickly. Some of these were later rebuilt with stone, but there are still many castle sites in England where all that is visible are the traces of the earthworks.
In 1083, the Castellarium Anglicanum, an authoritative index of castles located in England and Wales revealed over 1500 castle sites in England. Today a significant number of these castles have fallen into ruins or vanished altogether. There are, however, still many wonderful castles to explore in England that have been restored to offer visitors a chance to see how life in a real castle compares to the storybook tales of towers and turrets.
With literally hundreds of castles or castle ruins to explore, there is no shortage of options for an enthusiastic castle lover to visit and it would be impossible to narrow it down to the ‘best’ castles to visit in England. So instead, we’ve rounded up recommendations of some of England’s most beautiful and historic castles from fellow travel bloggers and us that you’ll want to add to your own trip to England.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Dramatically perched on a rocky volcanic outcrop above a sandy stretch of pristine beach, Bamburgh Castle is one of the most popular attractions to visit on a weekend in Northumberland. This strong defensive site has been occupied since prehistoric times, bearing witness to Viking raids, the Norman invasion, and countless kings. Today it’s one of the largest inhabited castles in the UK, now owned by the Armstrong family, with much of what remains dating back to the 19th century.
The castle is open for visitors who wish to explore the magnificent staterooms, medieval kitchen, armoury and grand Victorian hall. As you wander through the castle, you might recognise parts of it from the big screen, as it was used in the filming of movies such as Macbeth, Elizabeth and Ivanhoe, amongst others.
The castle is a splendid vantage point to take in the incredible views out over the North Sea and the iconic Northumberland coastline, which stretches up towards the holy island of Lindisfarne. There’s a fascinating aviation museum on site too, with a collection of artefacts that include the wreckage of a spitfire, whilst during the summer the stables display works of local artists, often inspired by the surrounding countryside. You could spend an entire day at Bamburgh, and it will be the highlight of any holiday to Northumberland.
Contribution and Photo from Heather of Conversant Traveller
Reviews of BamburghCastle | Bamburgh, Northumberland, NE69 7DF, England
Framlingham Castle is located in Framlingham, a beautiful market town in the rural county of Suffolk. It enjoys a prominent position in the town, sitting on a bluff with beautiful views across the mere towards Framlingham College, a very picturesque Victorian school.
The castle dates back to the 12th Century and was originally built as a simple Motte and Bailey castle. This version was destroyed by Henry II in 1173 after an unsuccessful attempt to overthrow him and was replaced with a much more formidable curtain wall structure with 13 mural towers which is what we can see today.
It is well known that Mary Tudor was crowned the first Queen of England here in 1553 but a lesser-known fact is that Ed Sheeran’s song ‘Castle on the Hill’ is based on Framlingham Castle as he grew up in Framlingham.
Visitors to the castle can walk along the top of the curtain walls and enjoy beautiful views across the mere and surrounding countryside. The Tudor chimneys along the walls are the oldest surviving examples of Tudor chimneys in the country.
If you’re visiting Suffolk with kids, Framlingham Castle is a great place to spend a few hours. There are great activities for families to enjoy and once you’ve finished your visit, you can enjoy a picnic on the field and let the kids burn off some energy by running up and down the bluff and around the moat.
Contribution from Jacquie of Flashpacking Family
Reviews of Framlingham Castle | Church Street, Framlingham, IP13 9BP, England
Anne Boleyn’s childhood home is bursting at the seams with history. You enter the castle via a drawbridge over the moat and enthuse at the immaculately preserved interior.
Inside, you can also enjoy the museum and remind yourself of England’s fascinating Tudor past while walking in the footsteps of Henry VIII. The grounds and lake are also beautifully maintained. Feeling hungry after your stroll through history? Head to the aptly named Henry VIII pub, about a 10-minute walk away, and enjoy a hearty dinner by the open fire before your train home.
If you have time to make it a weekend stay and fancy spending a night in a real-life castle, here’s the place to do it. Who doesn’t want to see Anne Boleyn’s ghost from their bedroom window? Here you can expect 5-star luxury. The price includes a gorgeous breakfast menu plus entry to the castle and grounds. On certain mornings, a private tour of the castle is also included with the other guests.
This is the perfect day trip from London for history enthusiasts and shrewd queen-consorts. Hever Castle is just one hour by train from London Waterloo each way or one to two hours by car, making it a great option for busy Londoners too.
Contribution from Cassie of cassiethehag
Reviews of Hever Castle | Edenbridge, Hever, TN8 7NG, England
Alnwick Castle is located in Northumberland and has been the Percy family home for the past 700+ years. Initially bought and restructured as a border fortress, the castle has taken on both battle and aesthetic transformations over the centuries.
The second-largest inhabited castle in the country, Alnwick is a huge tourist attraction along with the neighboring Alnwick Garden, which features a nationally famous poison garden. Alnwick’s claim to fame is that it was the filming location for several Harry Potter scenes! They capitalize off of this by hosting free “broomstick training” classes for Potterheads of all ages. It has also been used in scenes for Downton Abbey and has a small exhibit showing off some of the costumes and scenes from the film.
Visitors to the castle can tour the ornate staterooms, participate in free demonstrations in the artisan’s courtyard, and conquer a foe in the digitally enhanced ‘Dragon Quest’ adventure. Simply wandering the grounds is entertainment as well, with cannons, pastoral views, and interesting architecture in every direction that you look. Kids will love to borrow the free royalty costumes and adults will enjoy trying out the old school bow and arrow target practice; it’s easy to spend a full day between the castle and garden! Read more tips about visiting Alnwick Castle here.
Contribution and Photo from Stephanie of Explore More Clean Less
Reviews of Alnwick Castle | Greenwell Lane, Alnwick, NE66 1NQ, England
Set close to the south coast and an easy day trip away from Brighton (the nearest city), Arundel Castle has a real fairytale feel and charming surroundings which make it very popular. It’s tucked into a cute Sussex town, set along the River Arun and home to an annual rubber duck race – which you definitely also need to see!
The castle combines interesting historic exhibits with sweeping views, luxurious grounds and some great places to grab a bite to eat. It dates all the way back to medieval times, so there’s no shortage of intrigue from past centuries but has been restored and remodelled into the majestic building you see today. Henry I initially oversaw control of the castle and it later played a part in the English Civil War conflict.
A big highlight for many visitors is the annual Tulip Festival which is great for budding photographers or bringing the family for a session of feasting and fearsome jousting in the summer holidays.
Home to a local museum, ornamental grounds and an ancient chapel, the castle also has lots to see at any time of year – all included in your entry ticket. Of course, flocks of school children and tour groups browse the castle in the summer, but it actually opens for a long season from April to November, giving you a chance to visit without crowds too.
Contribution and Photo from Danni of Live in 10 Countries
Reviews of Arundel Castle | Mill Road, Arundel, NB18 9PA, England
Tintagel Castle in North Cornwall might be considered something of a hidden gem in England – but it’s definitely one for your bucket list!
This clifftop castle has been linked to the legendary King Arthur as far back as the 12th century when the popular British cleric, Geoffrey of Monmouth, said it was where King Uther Pendragon and Queen Igerna conceived him. And then again, within the 15th century, Tintagel Castle was also named King Arthur’s birthplace. There’s even a bronze statue of Arthur and his sword on the cliffs above the castle to commemorate these legends!
Understandably, the castle is now mostly in ruins but the English Heritage has done a fantastic job of bringing the castle to life with information boards to explain what each of the rooms is and how they may once have looked.
The castle also overlooks a small pebble and shingle beach known as Castle Cove. When the tide is out, you can venture inside a 330-foot-long sea cave, which is aptly named Merlin’s Cave. It’s believed that this cave was once the home of the infamous wizard.
History and legends aside though, Tintagel is such a magical castle to visit as it stands on the edge of a cliff facing the Atlantic. You can climb to the top of these cliffs from the castle with little effort to be rewarded with epic views across the ocean and surrounding countryside.
Contribution and Photo from Justine of Wanderers of the World
Reviews of Tintagel Castle | Castle Road, Tintagel, PL34 0HE, England
READ MORE: Visiting Cornwall? Check out more great things to do in Cornwall!
Barnard Castle was built in the 12th century, taking its name from the founder, Bernard de Baliol. The town that surrounds the castle has the same name. Barnard Castle is on the edge of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, in the northeast of England.
The castle is located high above the River Tees, affording it stunning views over the river and surrounding areas. Managed by English Heritage today, the castle once belonged to Richard III, and you can spot his emblem carved into a stone in the castle. Today the castle is ruined, but forms the centre point for many of the events the town hosts – you’ll find events here for the annual ‘Meet Weekend’ and the popular 1940s weekend, usually held at the end of June.
Over the years, businesses have been built into the walls of the castle and there’s nothing better than visiting one of the local pubs whose beer gardens are literally in the castle walls – the ‘Old Well on the Bank’ is particularly nice for the sunset!
Contribution and Photo from Sarah of A Social Nomad
Reviews of Barnard Castle | Scar Top, Barnard Castle, DL12 8PR, England
Warwick Castle is set among the medieval villages of the Cotswolds on a sandstone cliff alongside the River Avon. The castle was originally a wooden fort but was then turned into a motte-and-bailey castle by William the Conqueror in 1068. During the Hundred Year’s War, it was then built into a huge stone fortress in a stone keep-style and is now one of the most famous military fortifications. It was later passed onto the Dukes of Warwick, one of whom was known as the Kingmaker for his actions in the War of the Roses.
Recently the castle has been bought by an entertainment company. The result is a completely restored castle complete with dungeons, moats, and entertainment. You can even stay in the rooms in the Knight’s Village on the grounds. It may be the most expensive castle to visit in England, but you can experience everything you want from a castle including a scary tour of the dungeons, firing weapons, interactive history lessons and birds of prey shows. It also has the world’s largest trebuchet and hosts jousts. Warwick Castle is a perfect stop during your exploration of southeastern England.
Contribution and Photo from Jamie of The Daily Adventures of Me
Reviews of Warwick Castle | Castle Lane, Warwick, CV34 4QU, England
Herstmonceux Castle, near Hailsham, in East Sussex sits just a few miles from the English Channel. The beautiful moated castle dates back to the fifteenth century and is surrounded by 550 acres of beautiful Sussex woodland. The castle is unusual in that it’s built with brick.
The castle was built in 1441 and has a potted history. As well as being the largest private home in fifteenth-century England it’s been an ivy-clad gothic ruin and was home to the Royal Greenwich Observatory for 43 years. There’s a turret in the castle where the first Royal Astronomer, Sir John Flamsteed, installed his telescope and explored the night skies. The castle is now the Sussex part of Queens University, Canada and is the oldest brick-built structure of any significance in the British Isles.
As well as a beautiful-looking castle there are seven formal gardens to explore on the grounds. Each has a different character and includes the Elizabethan garden, the apothecary garden and the Shakespeare garden. There’s also a beautiful rose garden and woodland walk.
Guided tours of the inside of the castle operate although not on a regular basis so check beforehand. You’ll learn about the history of the castle, how it came to be built and how it was on the brink of being demolished. You’ll also hear tales of local smuggling gangs, underground tunnels and ghostly figures.
Contribution and Photo from Suzanne of Sussex Bloggers
Reviews of Herstmonceux Castle | Wartling Road Entrance, Hailsham, BN27 1RN, England
First-time visitors to London often don’t realize that the Tower of London is much more than just a single tower. The official name, which is “Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London”, is a much more accurate description.
It’s a large castle adorned with crenellated walls, gates and, yes, towers. The oldest of these is the White Tower, built in the 11th century by William I the Conqueror. Many more have been added over the years since then, and the original White Tower is now surrounded by a curtain of 13 other towers. Each of these has a name of its own, some of which describe their function (e.g. Bell Tower), while others were named in light of historic events that took place there. For example, Bloody Tower is where two princes are believed to have been murdered in the 15th century.
While touring the grounds, you may come across the half-dozen ravens who call the castle home. Legend says that if the ravens ever leave, not only the tower but the whole kingdom will fall. They are well looked after by a specialist Ravenmaster. The Tower of London sits on the north bank of the River Thames right in the heart of London. And of course, crossing the river right in front of the castle is Tower Bridge, the most iconic bridge in London and a popular stop on Harry Potter tours of the city.
Contribution from Wendy of The Nomadic Vegan
Reviews of Tower of London | St Katharine’s and Wapping, London, EC3N 4AB, England
READ MORE: Complete Guide to Visiting the Tower of London
Photo Credit: Peter Jeffery / CC BY-SA 2.0
Located in West Sussex, Amberley Castle is just a one-hour train ride from London. When I visited, the train station was deserted, and we were delighted to be picked up by the owner’s Land Rover.
Built in the 14th century, Amberley Castle has been home to bishops and was once owned by Queen Elizabeth I. It is beautifully restored, and now peacocks roam the grounds and the now-dry moat is covered with grass and welcomes games of croquet.
Plan to stay at least two nights here, which permits time to dine in the barrel-vaulted restaurant, where guests dine off Wedgwood china and drink from Dartington crystal. We dined one night in an atmospheric pub in the tiny village just outside the castle walls.
On our full day at the castle, we took a cab into adjacent Arundel to tour majestic Arundel Castle, which is the ancestral home of the Dukes of Norfolk. My favorite part of that excursion was taking tea with oatcakes at Belinda’s tea room, where I wouldn’t have been surprised if Miss Marple had walked in. After, we returned to “our” castle and a marble bathroom with a Jacuzzi tub, a four-poster bed, and a cacophony of birdsong as our wake-up call in the morning.
Contribution from Carole of Berkeley and Beyond
Reviews of Amberley Castle | West Sussex, BN18 9LT, England
Norwich Castle can be found in the English county of Norfolk in the city of Norwich. Once a medieval fortification, this castle is now a prominent museum. It houses an extensive collection of architectural styles, archaeology, fine art, and natural history. The history of the Norman keep is brought to life through models, videos, computer animations, and audio recordings.
Norwich Castle was built over the top of a Saxon settlement, including their cemetery after the Normans invaded and conquered the region around 1067. The original structure was made of timber wood, but around 1095, King Henry 1 built a stone keep and fortified the entire site with Caen stone.
Norwich Castle has seen much over the last century. Shortly after being built, Ralph de Gael, Earl of Norfolk, laid siege to the castle but was unable to conquer it. In 1173, Henry II’s sons started a civil war known as the Revolt of 1173-1174 and took control of the castle for several months. 1190 brought a time when the castle was used for refuge when widespread violence against the Jewish population led to the deaths of hundreds of Jews who were not able to make it into the castle.
By 1220, the structure was no longer used as a castle but was converted into a prison for debtors and felons. Buildings to house those incarcerated at Norwich Castle were constructed next to the keep. In 1887, the site’s use as a prison ended and the castle was converted into a museum that opened in 1895. Many of the first exhibits inside this museum still exist today, as well as many recent additions.
Contribution from Erin of Traveling Thru History
Reviews of Norwich Castle | 24 Castle Meadow, Norwich, NR1 3JU, England
Medieval, dreamy, romantic, and surrounded by a wide, glistening moat like a sandcastle – Bodiam Castle is indeed an English castle worth visiting.
This late 14th-century castle was originally thought to have been built as a defence against French invasion but after further investigation, and its distance from the coastline, it is now believed to have been intended as a home for a Sussex knight.
Despite this, a wander around the castle will reveal many of the defensive features built into it such as the crenels along the tops of the towers for shooting through, the moat to keep attackers from gaining access to the walls, and the gatehouse with its ‘murder holes where guards would drop all kinds of terrible things (like rats and boiling water) on attackers to get them to turn back.
These days, instead of being greeted with rats dropped on your head at the gate, visitors are welcome to stroll the grounds and encouraged to explore the remains of the castle. There are lots of neat little nooks and crannies among the chambers, a water well, and then stairs to allow you to climb the towers for wonderful views of the surrounding countryside from the roof.
To really make your visit to Bodiam Castle special, we recommend you take a steam engine from Tenterden to the castle on the Kent & East Sussex Railway. The coaches and locomotives date back to Victorian times and chug along past little towns and farms on the way to the castle with wonderful scenic views of the English countryside.
Reviews of Bodiam Castle | Robertsbridge, Bodiam, TN32 5UA, England
Sitting atop the famous white cliffs of Dover the formidable Dover Castle is known as the ‘Key to England’ and there is so much more to Dover Castle than just the castle itself.
Highlights of the castle complex include a 2,000-year-old Roman lighthouse which is in reasonably good condition considering its age. Sitting next to it is the pretty little St Mary in Castro Church built by the Saxons around 1000 AD.
You can tour the Great Tower which has been set up to look as it would have in the 12th century. You can wander through dining halls, long damp passageways, cosy bedchambers with roaring fires in their great fireplaces, and then up to the roof for spectacular views of the castle grounds, the town of Dover, and out across the English Channel.
For something unexpected, visit the secret wartime tunnels which were started in the Middle Ages and expanded upon during the Napoleonic Wars. The tunnels were then used as the command centre for Operation Dynamo during WWII when 338,000 troops were evacuated from the beaches of Dunkirk. Other parts of the tunnels were converted into a hospital during WWII and you can take a guided tour of the kitchens, operating areas, and dormitories.
There is so much to see and do at Dover Castle you could easily spend a whole day exploring its grounds. Be sure to leave time for lunch or afternoon tea on your visit as both are delicious!
Reviews of Dover Castle | Castle Hill, Dover, CT16 1HU, England
READ MORE: Complete Guide to Visiting Dover Castle
If you’d like to walk in the footsteps of modern royalty a visit to Windsor Castle is a must. As the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, it is the only royal residence in continuous use by the Royal Family and has been since the Middle Ages with the current Queen, Elizabeth II, spending her private weekends here.
William the Conqueror began work on the castle in the 11th century and many of the other 39 monarchs that have called this castle home have also left their mark on it over the centuries. Edward III modified and extended it in the 1300s with the largest contribution being the distinctive Round Tower. In the 1800s George IV updated the essentially medieval castle into the fortified royal palace you see today.
Be sure to visit St. George’s Chapel with its elegant stained-glass windows, high vaulted ceilings, and intricately carved choir stalls. It is also here that ten of the kings of England, including Henry VIII, have been laid to rest.
In 1992 some of the State Rooms were destroyed in a fire, but they have been restored to their former beauty and touring the Grand Reception Room, Green and Crimson Drawing Rooms, and the Octagonal Dining Room will allow you to see their priceless furniture, paintings by great masters, and stunning design and architecture.
You can also visit the pretty East Terrace Garden that was created for King George IV in the 1820s or Queen Mary’s Doll House which is a perfect miniature Georgian palace-within-a-palace created in 1923.
Visiting the castle is a wonderful day trip from London, especially if you include afternoon tea and a stroll along some of the lovely streets of Windsor around the castle.
Reviews of Windsor Castle | Castle Hill, Windsor, SL4 1PD, England
Looking for more information to plan your visit to England? You may find these articles helpful.
RESOURCES | PLAN YOUR TRIP TO ENGLAND
- Can’t get enough castles? Check out The Complete Illustrated Guide to Castles, Palaces, and Stately House of Britain and Ireland and you’re sure to find plenty to explore!
- The Most Amazing Royal Places in Britain brings British heritage to life with hundreds of ideas for days out to discover castles, grand estates, and the secret hideaways of kings and queens.
- For all things England, you can’t go wrong with Rick Steves! Check out his England travel guide, full episodes of his TV show, or download his app for excellent audio tours.
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