Castles in United Kingdom

The ancestral and current home of the Duke of Roxburghe, Floors castle was built between 1721 and 1726 by Scottish architect William Adam. Open to the public for over 40 years, the stories of ten generations of the Roxburghe family are embellished by a treasure trove of furniture, tapestries, carpets and artwork.

Explore one of Royal Deeside's top historic attractions at Drum Castle The keep at Drum Castle is one of the three oldest tower houses surviving in Scotland. The original house was enlarged with the creation of a very fine Jacobean mansion in 1619 and a later addition during the reign of Queen Victoria. The castle was lived in, until 1975, for over 650 years by the Irvine family. Inside the house are an excellent collection of portraits and good Georgian furniture. The gardens were dest...

Explore the Beautiful Brodie Castle Brodie Castle sits majestically amid scenic grounds (in spring, the daffodils are just lovely here) in Forres, Moray. This 16th century Z-plan tower house was the home of the Brodie family, who were prominent in clan battles in the 15th and 16th centuries, until the late 20th century. Inside, its elegant rooms are stuffed to the gills with amazing fine French furniture, English, continental and Chinese porcelain and fabulous artwork including piec...

Discover the Fascinating Sizergh Castle The medieval Sizergh Castle has been the home of the Strickland family for over 750 years. The 14th century tower was extended in Tudor times. It has an exceptional series of oak-panelled interiors with intricately carved chimneypieces and early oak furniture, culminating in the magnificent Inlaid Chamber. On display are collections of family portraits and ceramics that have been amassed over the centuries along with recent photographs. The castl...

Discover 400 years of History at Castle Fraser, Gardens and Grounds The atmospheric baronial Castle Fraser was first constructed in 1575 and has a rich, noble and sometimes grusome history. The castle contains many Fraser family portraits, including one by Raeburn. Highlights include the Great Hall dating back to the 1400s, a library filled with family books, and the grand Worked Room featuring 18th-century embroideries. Outside, you have 140 acres of farmland to explore with woodlan...

Thirlestane Castle is one of the oldest and finest inhabited castles in Scotland. The 16th-century building with its distinctive rose-pink stone and fairy tale

Grimsthorpe is great for families with young children, with miles of traffic-free trails, a woodland adventure playground and plenty of fresh air. There is a tearoom, a gift shop and extensive gardens - along with a castle to visit that has over 500 years of family stories to tell.

Berkeley Castle is unique, it has been lived in by the same family for almost 900 years - longer than any other fortress in England.

Step Back in time at Belvoir Castle Belvoir Castle has been the ancestral home of the Duke and Duchess of Rutland and their family since 1067. Crowning a hill in Leicestershire, its turrets and towers rise majestically over the vale of Belvoir and it is one of the finest examples of Regency architecture in the world. The castle you see today was designed by James Wyatt and was built in the early 1880 for the 5th Duke and Duchess of Rutland. The castle now houses one of the UK's finest ...

Winner of the best attraction award for the UK 2015. Enjoy the history and spectacle of Glamis Castle. Take a guided tour with one of the expert guides and soak up the atmosphere of a thousand years of history. The tours run regularly throughout the day and run on until 4:30pm. Take a stroll through our gardens maintained by the wonderful gardening team. The Walled Garden and Italian Garden are serene and beautiful and the walks along the river are very peaceful. Browse in the Gift...

Looming up from the glorious moat and surrounded by 500 lush green acres of land, Leeds Castle near Maidstone lays claim to being one of the most stunning castles in the world. The Castle, which was originally a Norman stronghold, has also been the property of six of England's medieval queens and was used as a palace by Henry VIII. Open all year round, Leeds Castle is packed with activities themed around its near 900-year history, from falconry displays to historic tours of the many rooms in ...

Once a Norman fortress, Ludlow Castle is now a romantic at atmospheric ruin, which is owned privately by the Herbert family. Inside the fortress walls is the 19th century Castle House, which acts as a wedding venue, alongside holiday apartments, charming tea rooms and shops.

Explore the hidden treasures of Penrhyn Castle Penrhyn Castle is a stunning 19th century neo-Norman castle, built for the wealthy Pennant family. It is crammed with fascinating things including a one-ton slate bed made for Queen Victoria. It houses one of the best art collections in Wales, including paintings by Rembrandt, Gainsborough and Canaletto. The castle´s interiors are decorated with elaborate carvings, hand-made wallpapers and stained glass, and its furniture collection with ...

Step Back in Time at Falkland Palace and Gardens The Royal Palace of Falkland, the country residence of Stuart kings and queens, was built between 1450 and 1541. Part of the palace was burned down by Cromwell´s troops in 1654. The palace contains fine portraits of the Stuart monarchs and two sets of 17th century tapestry hangings and some rooms have been renovated to depict what life was like for the Stuarts. The Chapel Royal dates from 1633 and the Royal Tennis Court is the oldest i...

Visit one of Scotland's most Beautiful Castle Fyvie Castle was once a royal stronghold, one of a chain of fortresses throughout medieval Scotland. The five towers are traditionally associated with the five successive families that lived there. The oldest part dates from the 13th century, and an air of mystery is created by the ghosts and legends associated with it. A rich portrait collection includes works by Batoni, Raeburn, Romney, Gainsborough, Opie and Hoppner. Also a fine coll...

Bolton Castle is one of the Country's best preserved Medieval Castles, originally built as one of the finest and most luxurious homes in the land.

From its imposing position on a West Sussex hill, Arundel Castle offers stunning views of the South Downs. Visitors are free to explore the castle, the keep, the walled garden and the 40-acre Collector Earl's Garden.

Discover the majestic Powis Castle Powis Castle is built on a high rock overlooking the garden terraces and has been the home of the Earls of Powis for many generations. There is a wealth of fine paintings and furniture, one of the finest collections in Wales. The sister of the 2nd Earl of Powis married the son of Lord Clive in 1784, and the collection of treasures from India, including jade, bronzes and ivory, are displayed in the Clive Museum. Laid out under the influence of Italian ...

Explore the Beautiful Kellie Castle and Gardens The first records of Kellie Castle date back to the 12th century, and it was restored by James Lorimer in the late 19th century. It is a very fine example of Scottish domestic architecture with its gables, towers and chimneys. Among the contents are magnificent plaster ceilings, painted panelling and furniture designed by Sir Robert Lorimer, son of James Lorimer. In 1948 the castle was purchased by the sculptor Hew Lorimer, Sir Robert´s ...

Discover the fascinating past of Hever Castle, childhood home of Anne Boleyn Hever Castle, a romantic 13th century moated castle, was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII´s second wife - inside there are prayer books signed and inscribed by Anne Boleyn. In 1903 the estate was bought by American William Waldorf Astor, having changed hands many times, who spent large amounts of money, and time restoring the castle. Collections of Tudor portraits, furniture, tapestries and othe...

The location of Lindisfarne Castle, on Holy Island, is unsurpassable. From its Tudor origins as a stronghold to offer protection to the island to its use in Edwardian times as a retreat from the bustle of London, the Castle has been an atmospheric and intriguing location for centuries.

Discover the History of Culzean Castle and Country Park Set on a wonderful dramatic cliff top and a fine advert for Robert Adam architecture, Culzean Castle and Country Park is one of Scotland's most popular visitor attractions. This 242-hectare estate is a wonderland of lush woodland, rugged coastline and landscaped gardens, at the heart of which is an 18th century Scottish castle stuffed with treasures from around the world. Antique furniture and furnishings, porcelains, fine art and...

Appleby Castle has its roots in Roman times and is one of the few Norman castles in the UK to have been lived in continuously since its construction. The ramparts dug in 1095, the Keep, portcullis door, inner bailey walls, round tower and great hall of this motte and bailey all form the character of this relic from medieval England.

Explore a castle hidden deep in the Devon Countryside Designed by Edward Lutyens, Castle Drogo in Exeter is an imposing granite edifice created for millionaire Julius Drewe at the first part of the 20th century. In dire need of renovations, it is currently the subject of a fund-raising campaign by the National Trust to restore it to its former glory. In a hugely dramatic setting high above the Teign Gorge with panoramic views across Dartmoor, the interior has fabulous family portraits...

Walk in the footsteps of SIR WALTER RALEIGH in the home he built 425 years ago. See decorative styles and nationally important collections of art, furniture and

Discover the fascinating Rockingham Castle Rockingham Castle was built by William the Conqueror and was regularly used by the early Kings of England until it was granted to Edward Watson in the 16th century, whose ancestors still live there today. It is a Tudor building within Norman walls, but each century has left its mark by either its architecture, furniture or works of art. A fine collection of family portraits by Reynolds and Van Dyck is on display. In Victorian times Charles Di...

The Perfect Family Day out at Bodrick Castle, Garden and Grounds A classic Victorian Scottish baronial style estate, the castle sits grandly overlooking Brodick Bay and the Firth of Clyde with Goatfell Mountain as backdrop. The grounds alone merit a visit, with woodland trails, wildlife ponds and lovely waterfalls punctuating your day out. Inside the castle are treasures galore – period furniture, silverware, sporting trophies, porcelain and paintings set the scene. There are special ...

Explore one of the Seven Wonders of Britain Windsor Castle, one of three official residences of The Queen, has been home to the Sovereign for over 900 years and not only is it the largest inhabited castle in the world but is the oldest in continuous occupation. The imposing towers and battlements of the Castle loom large from every approach to the town, creating one of the world´s most spectacular skylines. Visitors can walk around the State Apartments, extensive suites of rooms at t...

Discover the fascinating History of Muncaster Castle, Cumbria Muncaster Castle, home of the Pennington family since 1208, is probably built on Roman foundations. Anthony Salvin remodelled the Castle in the 1860s. The Great Hall is filled with paintings and heraldic windows, and the Octagonal Library rises to a Gothic vault. In the Dining Room, complete with restored leather wall-coverings, the family silver and an ornamental set of Derby porcelain are displayed. Florentine bronzes, fin...

Discover the enchanting story of Croft Castle Croft Castle is 15th century Castle sits in the heart of rural Hertfordshire and has been the home of the Croft family since before the Doomsday day book. A National Trust property since the 1950's it has recently gone through refurbishment. Inside you can find fine interiors display period furnishings and paintings, including works by Gainsborough and Lawrence. The house displays photographs, memorabilia and books all belonging to the C...

Highclere Castle is a country house in the Jacobethan style by the architect Charles Barry, with a park designed by Capability Brown. The 5,000-acre estate is in Hampshire, England, about 5 miles south of Newbury, Berkshire. It is the country seat of the Earl of Carnarvon, a branch of the Anglo-Welsh Herbert family.

Discover a Castle like no other Wander the halls of this beautiful Tudor castle thatonce guarded the coast of Kent. Frequent visitors to the fortress included William Pitt the Younger, the Duke of Wellington, WH Smith, Winston Churchill and the Queen Mother. Now an elegant stately home open to the public, it holds a wonderful collection of prints and portraits of the castle and its wardens. See the original wellington boot and explore the Queen Mother´s Garden and the Broadwalk with...

Visit the Enchanting Crathes Castle A wonderful 16th century granite tower house decorated with dramatic gargoyles, overhanging turrets and little conical roofs, Crathes Castle has four storeys and an attic to explore. The stand-out features of this classic L-tower house are the lovely painted ceilings, some retained in their original form and others beautifully restored. From the oak-panelled Long Gallery on the top floor of the castle the views down below of the castle gardens and o...

Explore the beautiful Dunster Castle and Gardens Originally built in Norman times, Dunster Castle was remodelled in the late 19th century for the Luttrell family, who lived here for 600 years. Only the 13th century gatehouse has survived from the original building. During the civil war soldiers were garrisoned in the Leather Gallery. Contents include family pictures, mahogany furniture and an important series of leather hangings depicting the story of Anthony and Cleopatra. The fine oa...

Explore the gateway to the realm at Dover Castle An iconic structure that presides over the famous coastline and its white cliffs, Dover Castle has watched over the area since its keep was built in the 1180s and there has been a look out on the site for some 20 centuries. Inside this historic landmark, there are displays of the castle's most heroic moment, but the jewel in the crown is the visitor experience Operation Dynamo: Rescue from Dunkirk about the Dunkirk evacuation of 1940. ...

Discover the eclectic Medieval Fortress, Chirk Castle The Welsh castle was built in 1310 and the last one of Edward I's reign to be inhabited. The National Trust offers a fantastic range of exhibitions and activities at the property. Explore the medieval fortress with its dungeon and murder holes, meet Will the archer and learn how to defend the fortress, take part in a pike drill (but don't get put in the stocks) or sign up for a guided tour to learn a little of the magnificent castl...