Top 15 Most Beautiful Castles to Visit in England


 

1. Corfe Castle, Dorset

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While not the oldest castle on our list, Corfe Castle in Dorset is steeped in fascinating history from the English Civil War and beyond. Setting an imposing figure atop a towering cliff, the castle is reached across a long bridge spanning a gorge, which provides impressive views of the well preserved purbeck limestone tower.

In the 17th century the castle was twice besieged by the Roundheads as its owners stood fast to support King Charles I and the Cavaliers. Not long after, its destruction was ordered by Parliament, causing the dramatic broken arches and ruins that you can still see to this day.

The castle came into the care of the National Trust in 1982, meaning it can be enjoyed by the public for generations to come.

2. Warwick Castle, Warwickshire

Warwick is easily one of England’s most famous castles, and for good reason. The thousand year old castle is one of the largest and most complete of its time, with an enormous gatehouse, original stained glass windows and a working trebuchet.

Originally built by William the Conqueror in 1068, the castle has passed through dozens of families and owners, some as young as two. It was a significant point of fortification during the Hundred Years War and much of its original architecture is still intact.

Today, it is one of the area’s most popular tourist attractions, with visitors pouring in all year round to experience jousting recreations, children’s activities and beautiful manicured gardens.

3. Tintagel, Cornwall

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Tintagel Castle is best known as the birthplace of one of England’s most famous legendary kings – King Arthur. Perched on a windswept cliffside on the north Cornish coast, there is evidence of settlement on the site dating back to the Roman era, and the castle is named as the place of Arthur’s birth in the works of Geoffrey of Monmouth.

While there is little historical evidence to support this claim, the castle is nonetheless a magical place to visit, and imagine it during the glory days of King Arthur’s reign. Today it is open to the public and taken care of by English Heritage.

4. Bodiam Castle, East Sussex

East Sussex’s Bodiam Castle was built in the 13th century, and still boasts an impressively intact exterior to this day – with turrets and large moats all still visible. It served as the ancestral seat of the Dalyngrigge family for generations, and was an essential structure during many domestic conflicts.

It was built to help protect the country against French invasion during the Hundred Years War, and was besieged many times throughout history.

You can visit it in 2020 thanks to the National Trust, which has been preserving the castle for nearly 100 years.

5. Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire

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Smaller and lesser known than its nearby cousin Warwick Castle, Kenilworth Castle is no less special in its own way. A significant royal castle, in its heyday it enjoyed visits from King Edward II to Queen Elizabeth I. In later years it was expanded from a traditional medieval fortress to an elegant Renaissance palace, and owes its distinctive look to the iconic red sandstone from which it is almost entirely built.

Today you can enjoy a stroll through the palace’s famous Elizabethan gardens, lovingly recreated from the Tudor era and featuring a marble fountain, an ornate bird cage and fragrant flowers.

6. Portchester Castle, Hampshire

Portchester Castle itself dates back to the late 11th century, but even before that the site was home to a Roman fort, meaning it has likely been inhabited for more than 2000 years.

Located near Portsmouth Harbour, throughout history it has been most famous as a favourite hunting lodge for King John during his reign in the 1200s. Later, it became a significant location in William Shakespeare’s play “Henry V”, as the place where a plot to overthrow the King was discovered.

These days you can visit it year round thanks to English Heritage.

7. Dunstanburgh Castle, Northumberland

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Located on a remote and bleak headland in Northumberland, Dunstanburgh Castle is nonetheless a fascinating site to visit and learn about. Built in 1313 as a symbol of rebellion by the Earl of Lancaster against King Edward II, it served as a significant stronghold during the peasant uprisings of 1381 and later during the Wars of the Roses.

Today the castle stands in partial ruin, but the magnificent double towered keep still casts an impressive shadow over visitors. If you want to fully appreciate the dramatic surroundings, you can take a walk along the coastal path which takes you up to the castle from the nearby village of Craster. You’ll be walking in the footsteps of kings and earls!

8. Beeston Castle, Cheshire

Another formerly Royal castle, Beeston was built following the Crusades and was taken over by King Henry III. It stayed in the Royal Family for over 300 years, before being partially demolished in 1646 on the orders of Thomas Cromwell.

It is perched on a rocky sandstone crag overlooking the Cheshire Plain, on a site which has archeological evidence of a Bronze Age settlement as far back as the Neolithic period.

Legend has it that the vast royal treasure of King Richard II is buried somewhere in the castle grounds, but to this day the trove has not been found.

9. Windsor Castle

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You may recognise this magnificent royal castle from the recent wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle, and Windsor Castle is indeed something special.

Boasting the honour of being both the oldest and the largest continually occupied castle in the entire world, it is the preferred weekend residence of Queen Elizabeth II, and has been in the Royal Family since it was first built by William the Conqueror in the late 11th century. It has survived the dissolution and restoration of the British monarchy, two world wars and countless battles.

It is now a tourism draw for visitors from all over the world.

10. Colchester Castle, Essex

This Norman castle dates back to the time of William the Conqueror, and even has evidence of Roman occupation before that. It’s mostly intact keep is the largest of its kind in Europe.

During the 17th century, the castle took on a terrifying new role as the prison of Witchfinder General Matthew Hopkins, where he imprisoned hundreds of people on suspicion of practicing witchcraft and black magic.

Today the castle is the home of the Colchester Museum, which has exhibits of Roman artifacts as well as more recent finds.

11. Sudeley Castle, Gloucestershire

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Although the original Sudeley Castle may have been built around the 12th century, the current impressive building dates back to the 15th century, and has passed through several royal hands.

It was a significant location during the Tudor era, and was visited by King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn in 1535. The chapel of the castle is also the burial place of Queen Catherine Parr, the sixth wife of King Henry VIII.

Queen Elizabeth I is said to have held several gatherings there, and the castle is consistently praised for its beauty and surroundings.

12. Dover Castle, Kent

The title of ‘the largest castle in England’ goes to Dover Castle, an 11th century medieval stronghold known as the ‘Key to England.’ This is thanks to the castle’s unique strategic position which has made it a vital point of the country’s defense throughout history.

From its humble beginning as a site for a Roman era lighthouse, the castle has risen through the ranks to become one of the country’s most famous castles. It was an important defense point during the Napoleonic Wars, and during the Second World War its historic tunnels were turned into air raid shelters, and the Dunkirk evacuations were coordinated from the castle headquarters.

13. Lindisfarne, Northumbria

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Now owned by the National Trust, Lindisfarne Castle dates back to the 16th century and today remains relatively intact and in good repair.

What makes Lindisfarne special is that it can only be reached by a rocky causeway which is sometimes covered by the sea at high tide. This fascinating quirk of geography means that the castle is sometimes inaccessible, leaving anyone who has not left my high tide trapped.

What was once a volatile border area between England and Scotland is now a pleasant seafront location, and the castle can be visited through the National Trust.

14. Caerhays, Cornwall

Located in the picturesque St Austell area of Cornwall, Caerhays Castle is actually more of a manor house, which overlooks the English Channel. Dating back to the early middle ages, it was the home of the Arundell family for around 500 years, and is still privately owned.

Today it is open for scheduled tours and weddings in the original ancient chapel.

15. Lincoln Castle, Lincoln

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This enormous and imposing castle was built, like many, by William the Conqueror in the late 11th century. The castle served as a symbol of Norman conquest, and has beared witness to many battles and sieges.

Later during Victorian times it served as a prison, keeping the most dangerous convicts in severe isolation. It is currently owned by Lincoln County Council and is open to visitors.

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