The best castles to visit in England

If you’re a fan of historic, medieval architecture, England is surely on your hotlist of destinations for a spot of castle-hunting. There are an incredible 4,000 castles in England, though some push that number to approximately 4,500 if you include motte-and-bailey settlements, the oldest form of castle in the country. If the grand sight of turrets, moats and bridges piques your interest, and you love the drama of England’s royal history, then read on for our pick of the 15 best castles to visit in England.

England’s medieval heritage

England is famous for the architectural remnants of its long history, but why exactly are there so many castles in England? This goes back to the Battle of Hastings in 1066. As the Normans arrived, so began a ‘Golden Age’ of castle construction across the nation.

At this time, castles had multiple purposes – they were military strongholds, places to control trade routes, and a way to depict England’s great power. Occasionally, they were just built to show off. There’s an immense variety in the styles of castles across the country; the earlier Normal-style castles were more about burly functionality, while later medieval designs had more of a flourish, combining military prowess with luxury and comfort, and making many castles somewhat of a status symbol.

In any case, you’re never far from a magnificent castle on a trip to England. Many of them are UNESCO-protected or part of the National Trust, meaning that visiting them and exploring their grand rooms of vast history is made accessible and fun.

Must-visit castles in England

Let’s jump right into this ultimate list for history lovers of the best castles to visit in England…

Royal castles: England’s iconic seats of power

If there’s one thing England’s known for, it’s the centuries-old monarchy. Their historic places of residence are certainly emblematic of royalty and grandeur – and we don’t just mean Buckingham Palace in London (though that’s obviously worth a visit!).

Nearby Windsor Castle is the world’s oldest and largest castle that is still occupied, having been a royal home for a staggering 900 years. Queen Elizabeth II famously called Windsor Castle her ‘favorite home’ and spent a huge amount of time there. It was originally built as William the Conqueror’s residence, and has a small chapel on the grounds where some of the most iconic monarchs are buried, including Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth II herself.

Nearby, in the center of England’s capital, the Tower of London is an infamous fortress that doubles as both a palace and a prison – but these weren’t its only uses (at one point, the tower even housed royal animals such as a polar bear, lions and monkeys). Notoriously, it’s the secure vault of the Crown Jewels and where royal prisoners awaited their fate; a renowned lineup including Guy Fawkes, Lady Jane Grey, and Anne Boleyn.

Around 90 miles from London, Warwick Castle is an old-time jewel – what was once a wooden motte-and-bailey castle was rebuilt in stone in the 12th century. Rising from a grassy hill above the River Avon, its battlements, towers, turrets and grand gatehouse create an imposing medieval silhouette. These days it’s a tourist attraction, where you can watch medieval shows and archery displays or even stay overnight inside the castle.

Northern England’s mighty fortresses

Heading up north, now, where the striking English castles are often offset with dramatic backdrops of rolling hills…

Notable fortresses here include Northumberland’s Bamburgh Castle, at almost 2,000 years old. Perched on a basalt outcrop above the North Sea, its position made it almost impregnable and it’s visually stunning – there’s no wonder it has been used as the backdrop for period pieces such as Macbeth and Elizabeth. It’s also said to be haunted (as many of England’s castles are!) with legends of a ‘White Lady’ wandering its halls.

There’s another treat in store with Alnwick Castle, also in Northumberland, which film fans will recognize as the location of Hogwarts in the Harry Potter movies (though it’s also Downton Abbey). First built in 1096 by Normans in the Golden Era, it has been the residence of the Percys, the Duke of Northumberland’s family, for over 700 years.

In County Durham, there’s Durham Castle, another 11th-century marvel built to secure Norman control in the north. This huge fortress is UNESCO-protected alongside Durham Cathedral, and today houses around 100 students as part of Durham University. Nearby, the 14th-century Raby Castle is well worth a visit for its place in historic royal drama – Raby played a role in the Rising of the North (1569), when Catholic nobles plotted against Elizabeth I.

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Southern England’s historic strongholds

Further down England’s landmass, there are a glut of fascinating castles in the south…

Placed in a scenic, strategic spot overlooking the White Cliffs of Dover, Dover Castle was seen as the gateway to England and has stood here for over 900 years. Still, it has defenses going back to even the Saxon and Roman periods, and secret underground tunnels that were used in the Napoleonic wars.

For sheer aesthetics, Bodiam Castle in East Sussex was built by one of Edward III’s knights, Sir Edward Dalyngrigge, and many historians believe it was for show and grandeur rather than defense. With its peaceful, symmetrical moat and countryside setting, it has been the inspiration for many romantic writers and artists – even today it is one of the most beautiful castles in England.

Herstmonceux Castle is another notable stronghold due to its unusual red-brick walls, surrounded by moat and gardens that gives it a gorgeous English country feel. A Tudor gem, it housed the Royal Greenwich Observatory between 1958-88, and had giant telescopes and a planetarium on site. Today it belongs to Canada’s Queen’s University.

Don’t miss out on the Grade I listed Leeds Castle, a unique and picturesque structure in Kent that was built on an island surrounded by a lake, whose waters are fed by the River Len. And lastly, not forgetting Carisbrooke Castle on the Isle of Wight! One of the oldest castles in the country, Carisbrooke was originally a Roman fort until it was redeveloped by the Normans. Its claim to fame is the infamous resident King Charles I, who was held under house arrest here in 1647-48 before his trial and execution.

Unique castles in the East and West of England

On the fringes of the country, the East and West of England house numerous grand castles among forests and fields.

In the west, there’s Shropshire’s Ludlow Castle, a key fortress on the border to Wales and an important military stronghold. Overlooking the River Teme and near the bustling market town of Ludlow, this castle ruin has a mix of Norman keep, curtain walls, gatehouses and later Tudor additions, making it an interesting spot architecturally.

Also on the Welsh border, Goodrich Castle is a red-hued masterpiece, perched on a sandstone cliff over the stunning River Wye. Today, you can explore its impressive ruins and climb its towers and staircases for incredible views over the Wye Valley.

Over in the east, there’s Suffolk’s Framlingham Castle; once the picturesque home of Queen Mary I of England. The most notable architectural feature of Framlingham is its lack of central keep – it relied on strong curtain walls for defense, making it unusual among other English castles.

Finally, we have the wonderfully named Castle Rising, a 12th-century castle originally built as more of a fortified manor. Unlike Framlingham, this castle is known for its huge central keep, without any outer defense – giving it a striking silhouette against the wondrous Norfolk scenery.

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Make it happen

For more of the best castles to visit in England, get in touch with our local travel experts. They’re based on the ground within the destination, equipped with the local knowledge to build the best castle-hunting itinerary for your trip to England.