The best castles to visit in the UK

Windsor Castle

Originally built by William the Conqueror, Windsor Castle in Berkshire is thought to be the oldest and largest occupied castle in the whole world; since its construction, it has housed a staggering forty monarchs. Its extensive grounds and outer gates are well preserved, especially the striking and iconic Round Tower that forms the centre of the site. Visitors can walk through the richly decorated state apartments that are still used by the royal family, as well as more historical areas like George IV’s private rooms. You can also visit St George’s chapel, the site of multiple royal weddings and the resting place of monarchs such as Henry VIII and Elizabeth II. If just wandering the extensive grounds isn’t enough for you, there are also frequent events hosted at the castle, from children’s crafts to historical reenactments.

Goodrich Castle

Reputed to have once been described by William Wordsworth as the “noblest ruin in Herefordshire”, Goodrich Castle in south Herefordshire has an extensive history, originally built as a wooden fortification after the Norman Conquest of England and then later fortified and expanded into the stone keep seen today. It was held by both sides during the English Civil war, and was slighted (deliberately partially destroyed) at the end of the war to prevent its use as a tactical stronghold ever again. It has since gained a reputation as one of the most striking ruined castles, and even has a few legends associated with its name, such as the ghost of an Irish chieftain haunting the stronghold he died trying to escape.

Conwy Castle

Tucked away in a coastal town in the north of Wales, Conwy Castle was built in the 13^th century by Edward I and is now classed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As you approach the town across a suspension bridge, the castle rises out of the landscape, maintaining the intimidating appearance that was an integral part of its original design. With the backdrop of the Eryri (Snowdonia) mountains and the mouth of the River Conwy flowing past the castle, the 700-year-old castle is considered one of Europe’s most striking and well-preserved medieval fortresses. The original walls still encircle the historical town centre with its narrow streets and unique buildings (including the smallest house in Great Britain, only 1.8m wide!).

Edinburgh Castle

If you are considering a trip up to Scotland, Edinburgh Castle is likely already on your list. Standing above the city on Castle Rock, it is one of the most important sites in Scottish history and is considered a symbol of the country. As well as the historical structure, Edinburgh Castle is also home to the Scottish National War Memorial and the National War Museum. The One O’Clock Gun is fired every day at the castle (except for Sundays, Christmas Day, and Good Friday), a tradition that once helped nearby ships set their maritime clocks and now draws large crowds around the castle each day.

Kenilworth Castle

Only a few miles from Coventry is Kenilworth Castle. Its long history spans from the construction of the original Norman keep in the 1120s, to its endurance of a six-month siege in 1266, to the extensive renovations done by Robert Dudley in the 1560s-70s in an attempt to win the hand of Elizabeth I. Like Goodrich, the castle was slighted after the English Civil War, but the majority of the structure still stands and can be explored today. From the top of the entire section built for Elizabeth I, you get a view of the sprawling countryside around the castle, including the fields where the artificial mere that gave the castle such a tactical advantage once was.

Kinloch Castle

If you are looking to do more than just visit a castle in the UK, then maybe Kinloch Castle on the remote Isle of Rùm in the Hebrides is for you. This Edwardian mansion was built as a luxury retreat for the Victorian tycoon Sir George Bullogh, but has declined over the years. Some repairs were done while the site was operating as a hostel, but this closed in 2015. Now, this castle is unique on this list, as it (along with 18 acres of surrounding land) is currently for sale! If you’ve always wanted to live in a castle, are looking for a huge renovation project, and just happen to have £750,000 lying around, then Kinloch Castle may be perfect for you.