Top 15 Famous Castles In England To Visit

Castles in England often evoke images of stone fortresses and moats. Built for defense, many also served as royal residences. Some still stand tall; others lie in ruins. All whisper stories from the past.

There’s a timeless romance to English castles, shaped by fairy tales, history, and centuries of legend. These sites stir the imagination—if walls could talk, they’d reveal tales of kings, queens, battles, and betrayals.

Though many castles have suffered from England’s harsh weather, restoration efforts have saved others from ruin. To help fund repairs, many have opened to the public. That’s our gain—offering a rare chance to explore their halls and courtyards firsthand.

If you’re visiting England, don’t miss out. Along with enjoying a pint, cream tea, and fish and chips, be sure to see at least one of these 15 remarkable castles. We share what makes each one so special.

Things To Know Before A Visit

When visiting a castle in England, plan ahead. Ask how much of the castle is open to the public, as some are private homes with limited access.

Many castles have steep stairs and no elevators. If mobility is a concern, check accessibility beforehand. Also, confirm whether any areas are closed for restoration.

Some castles are restored, allowing visitors to see much of the structures. However, others remain as abandoned English fortresses with little to see.

Some castles are remote and not near public transit. Rent a car or choose sites near train or bus routes. Larger estates like Warwick can take all day, so arrive early and plan the day accordingly. Outside of England, there are also some spectacular castles in Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

Top British Castles

Some of the following castles are popular attractions, while others are lesser-known gems.

Leeds Castle

• Location: Broomfield, Maidstone

Leeds Castle, often called the loveliest in England, sits on a lake near Kent. With its moat, drawbridge, and hilltop setting, it’s referred to as a fairytale castle. Its history is rich; home to six queens, destroyed by fire, and served as a hospital during the war.

Maintained by the Leeds Castle Foundation, this residence remains empty. To make your visit even more special, consider staying in one of its rooms on the Leeds Castle estate.

The grounds are stunning; swans glide through streams, gardens bloom with wildflowers, and paths offer breathtaking views of the lake. A miniature train helps non-walkers reach the castle entrance. One of my favorite features is its hedge maze, providing fun for all ages.

Inside, rooms restored by Lady Baillie showcase elegance and charm. Outside, explore the tiered gardens, falconry show, and picnic areas. Tickets are valid for a year, making the cost worthwhile. Unoccupied, this castle took all day to explore.

Windsor Castle

•  Location: Castle Hill, Windsor, Berkshire

Windsor Castle is the most famous in Britain and remains in use by the Royal Family. Built in the 11th century, it remains the world’s largest and oldest continuously inhabited castle.

Within the grounds of Windsor Castle is St. George’s Chapel, a 14th-century Gothic chapel. This chapel, which seats approximately 800, has hosted many royal weddings.

If the flag flies above the round tower during your visit, the King is there too. It’s a rare chance to say you visited while the monarch was in residence. Be sure to watch the Changing of the Guard, a chance to see a royal residence in action.

While touring the apartments and staterooms, we enjoyed admiring masterpieces by Rembrandt, Rubens, Holbein, and Leonardo da Vinci. The beauty of exploring Windsor Castle was also enjoying the quaint city of Windsor.

Warwick Castle

• Location: Warwick, Warwickshire

Warwick Castle’s many attractions include dark dungeons, smelly stables, stately rooms, and ghostly towers. Some of the places have wax figures dressed in period costumes created by the Tussauds group.

This castle estate is geared towards families, offering interactive activities, jousting events, and a historical maze. Plan to spend a whole day here, enjoying the medieval thrill.

We recommend wearing comfortable shoes, as the castle is massive. The wax figures are so realistic that I found myself touching them to see if they were real. The stables and dungeons were the highlight—wax horses that moved, neighed, and smelled like the real deal.

Pack a picnic and enjoy it next to the River Avon. On a warm summer’s day, visitors can enjoy the colossal 11th-century fortress from its vast grounds.

Bodiam Castle

• Location: Robertsbridge, East Sussex

Bodiam Castle in Sussex, has an enchanting setting, surrounded by a moat. Constructed in 1385 by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge, the castle is a basic square shape with no keep. With thin walls and small windows, many believe it was built for entertainment purposes rather than defense.

This quintessential fairytale castle has adorned many chocolate boxes and tourist magazines and is displayed across the web. Its impressive structure lives on in featured movies, including Robin Hood, Dr. Who, Monty Python, and the Holy Grail.

Approaching the castle, its unassuming exterior gave no indication of the hidden charm within. Though much of the structure has crumbled over time, we were still able to climb the remaining stairways to a few towers and take in sweeping views of the Sussex countryside.

Expect to spend an hour or two here. To make it a day trip, combine it with a visit to Hastings Castle and Battle Abbey nearby.

Tower of London

• Location: St. Katharine’s & Wapping, London

No trip to London is complete without visiting the Tower of London, close to Tower Bridge. A visit to the Tower includes the central keep, known as the White Tower, as well as the Bloody Tower, Beauchamp Tower, and Wakefield Tower.

We had the option to do a tour with the Yeoman Warders or a self-guided option. We chose the latter, spending 5.5 hours at the castle. The thrill of this attraction is seeing the Crown Jewels. Since there’s always a queue to get into the Jewel House, plan to go there first.

The historic Towers house a vast collection of guns, armor, and torture devices. Reading the descriptions, I found the torture apparatuses quite gruesome.

The Tower’s guardians are its famous ravens. During the day, they roam freely on the grounds and respond only to the Ravenmaster. We spotted two on our visit. How many can you see?

Herstmonceux Castle

• Location: Hailsham, East Sussex

Herstmonceux Castle is one of the oldest and most notable brick buildings still standing in England today. Dating from the 15th century, the castle is currently used by the Bader International Study Centre of Queen’s University, Canada.

While the interior is rarely open, visitors can enjoy the gardens and a scenic nature trail through 550 acres of the Sussex countryside. Wildlife is abundant with deer, peacocks, lizards, and geese roam the estate.

Once nearly lost to decay, the castle was restored after Drs. Alfred and Isabel Bader donated it to Queen’s University in 1993. Admission is just £10, with limited interior access available for an additional £4. Check the schedule for time and day.

Hever Castle

• Location: Hever, Edenbridge

Hever Castle in Kent is best known as the childhood home of Anne Boleyn. Though small, it features ornate rooms, antique furniture, exquisite tapestries, and her inscribed prayer books.

Once neglected, the castle was restored by William Waldorf Astor. He added secret rooms now shown on the adult-only Hidden Hever Tour. He also expanded the grounds, adding numerous fountains, a yew maze, and a beautiful flower garden.

A 35-acre lake adds to the charm of the property. It took two years and 800 men to build. Hever Castle has its own rose, the Hever Rose, launched by Dame Judi Dench in 2011.

Being a big fan of mazes, I like that this estate has two—a yew and a water maze. The latter consists of concentric stepping stones on water. When stood on, hidden jets spray water between the rocks. The aim is to complete it without getting wet.

Arundel Castle

• Location: Arundel, West Sussex

Sitting high on a hill in West Sussex is the magnificent medieval Arundel Castle. We thought this castle offered the best countryside views from its medieval Norman Keep.

Plan on spending a whole day at the destination to appreciate everything it has to offer. The gardens and Fitzalan Chapel open first, followed by the castle two hours later. We recommend purchasing the gold tickets, which include the bedrooms.

The Collector Earl’s Garden is a highlight of the exterior, with its jetted fountains and domed pergolas. Inside, Baron’s Hall is impressive due to its colossal size, the library is reminiscent of a Harry Potter movie, and the Grand Staircase exudes grandeur.

The estate hosts seasonal events, including a vibrant tulip display that draws garden lovers each spring. Families also enjoy lively jousting tournaments during summer.

Sudeley Castle

• Location: Sudeley, Gloucestershire

Sudeley Castle Estate is a hidden gem in the Cotswolds. Its claim to fame is being the only private home in England where a monarch is buried. Katherine Parr, Henry VIII’s last wife, is laid to rest in St. Mary’s Church on the castle grounds.

Home to Lady Ashcombe and her family, visitors can tour parts of the family’s home and see an exhibit featuring some of Katherine Parr’s belongings.

But it’s outside that the Sudeley estate shines. The ten contrasting gardens were carefully designed with incredible detail. From the Knot Garden to the Queens’ Garden, each exudes beauty with roses, yew trees, and other flora.

Berkeley Castle

• Location: Berkeley, Gloucestershire

Berkeley Castle, another historic fortress in the Cotswolds, dates to the 11th century. Irregular in shape, it measures 140 yards around and is best known as the site of Edward II’s brutal murder in 1327.

Touring the rooms, the kitchen, dining room, drawing rooms, and chapel looks much as they did centuries ago. State apartments contain collections of antiques, tapestries, and rare paintings. Some of the Berkeley silverware is viewable in the Great Hall and the dining room.

The terraced gardens surrounding the castle feature flowers, a lily pond, a butterfly house, and expansive lawns. The current owner, a horticulture enthusiast, has added exotic plants from Indonesia and Japan. As beautiful as the gardens are, we felt the Gothic castle is the star.

Dover Castle

• Location: Dover, Kent

Dover Castle, perched on England’s iconic White Cliffs, is a must-visit for history lovers. Known as the “Key to England,” it has defended the realm for over 900 years.

Visitors can explore a medieval Great Tower, walk along ancient battlements, and descend into secret wartime tunnels used during World War II. One of the highlights of its location is the panoramic views of the English Channel and the White Cliffs.

Whether you’re exploring Roman relics or reliving wartime strategy, Dover Castle offers a rich and layered experience. Its mix of medieval, Napoleonic, and World War II history makes it one of Britain’s most impressive and engaging fortresses.

Highclere Castle

• Location: Highclere, Hampshire

Highclere Castle has gained popularity as a tourist destination due to its prominent role as the setting for Downton Abbey. Touring the opulent interiors, such as the grand library, drawing room, and dining hall, feels like stepping into the world of the Crawley family.

Highclere beautifully blends aristocratic elegance, cinematic history, and cultural intrigue. Fans of the series will recognize familiar scenes, while history buffs will appreciate the castle’s rich heritage.

Beyond the house, the extensive gardens offer peaceful walks with stunning views of the countryside. Don’t miss the Egyptian Exhibition in the cellars, showcasing the 5th Earl’s discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb.

Castle Howard

• Location: Henderskelfe, North Yorkshire

Further north is Castle Howard, formerly known as Henderskelfe Castle. Built in the 18th century, it took over 100 years to complete this baroque masterpiece. We found this stately home grander than some castles and palaces owned by royalty.

Imagine exploring opulent interiors, lush gardens, and the iconic dome that defines its skyline. Highlights include the Great Hall, the ornate chapel, and the impressive art collection. The 1,000-acre estate features lakes, temples, and scenic walking trails.

Castle Howard also gained fame as a filming location for Brideshead Revisited. Rich in history and beauty, it offers a perfect mix of architecture, nature, and culture, making it a must-see on any Yorkshire itinerary.

Alnwick Castle

• Location: Alnwick, Northumberland

Alnwick Castle, nestled in Northumberland, is one of England’s best-preserved medieval castles. Home to the Percy family for over 700 years, it blends rich history with modern appeal. Visitors can explore grand staterooms, medieval towers, and beautiful gardens.

Harry Potter fans will enjoy visiting this castle, as it was where broomstick lessons were filmed. The castle also hosts falconry displays, archery, and historical reenactments. Its impressive architecture and interactive exhibits appeal to all ages.

The site hosts seasonal events, workshops, and exhibitions that delve into everything from medieval warfare to traditional crafts. Its award-winning visitor programs are designed to engage younger audiences while offering adults deeper historical insights.

Lincoln Castle

• Location: Castle Hill, Lincoln

Located about 140 miles north of London, Lincoln Castle is a Norman gem for history lovers. Its walls are thick, its towers imposing. Constructed by William the Conqueror, the castle features breathtaking views from its medieval wall walk.

Highlights of this 1068 castle include the Victorian prison, the Magna Carta vault, and the impressive Norman gatehouse. Visitors can explore centuries of history while enjoying panoramic views of Lincoln Cathedral and the city.

The castle hosts seasonal events and reenactments, bringing the past to life. With its rich heritage and family-friendly exhibits, Lincoln Castle makes for a fascinating day trip or weekend getaway from London. It’s both educational and scenic.

Final Thoughts

Exploring England’s castles is more than a journey through stone and battlements; it’s a voyage through centuries of power, artistry, and myth. From the dramatic defenses of Dover and Windsor to the romantic retreats of Hever and Leeds, each fortress shares its own story.

Their allure isn’t confined to history alone. These iconic sites continue to enrich modern life through immersive events, interactive exhibitions, and the sheer magic of their settings.

Whether you’re captivated by royal tales, ancient legends, or breathtaking scenery, exploring England’s castles offers inspiration and a touch of romance.