Some of the most beautiful castles from the Middle Ages can be found in the United Kingdom. While many castles in mainland Europe have fallen into disrepair and have disappeared, the castles in the United Kingdom are well-maintained and just as fairytale-like as they used to be. With their beautiful architecture, their great castle gardens and their fascinating history, these castles are definitely worth a visit. We have listed the twelve most beautiful castles in the United Kingdom for you.
Warwick Castle
We start with Warwick Castle , which was built in 1068 by William the Conqueror. The castle has been thoroughly renovated from time to time and has therefore managed to retain much of the style and class of the past. Today it is a tourist attraction, where various exhibitions are exhibited every year.
Kilkenny Castle
Built in the 13th century, Kilkenny Castle is particularly popular with tourists. Although you can look around the castle yourself in the winter months, it is advisable to book in advance in the summer months to avoid long waiting times.
Ballindalloch Castle
Only brave visitors come to Ballindalloch Castle, because various spirits and ghosts live in this castle. Although the castle is only open in the summer months and the castle gardens are especially special, the main attraction of the castle is the ghost story.
Edinburgh Castle
At exactly 1 o’clock in the afternoon a big bang resounds through Edinburgh. It comes from the ‘timegun’ of Edinburgh Castle, the pride of the Scottish highlands. This castle houses several shops, cafes, restaurants and is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Scotland.
Eilean Donan
Eilean Donan is a popular castle that is completely open to visitors. Although the original castle had fallen into ruins, it has been completely restored in the course of the 20th century, so that tourists can now enjoy this special castle again.
Arundel Castle
Arundel Castle is best known for being the home of the Duke of Norfolk for four centuries. The beautiful castle is open to the public and, in addition to various gardens and exhibitions, also contains a cricket field.
Bodiam Castle
Bodiam Castle is a special castle because it has all the characteristics of the classic medieval castles. This 14th-century castle contains a moat, towers and a large courtyard with portcullis. Although the interior is now in ruins, the castle remains a tourist attraction.
Glamis Castle
As the birthplace of Queen Elisabeth, Glamis Castle is a famous historic castle. In addition, various stories from Shakespeare are set in this castle, warong the well-known story of McBeth. Various guided tours are available, which reveal all the historical details.
Inveraray Castle
Downton Abbey fans are sure to love Inveraray Castle, which was the final scene of season three. The special castle also has a fascinating history and is fully equipped, from a cafe to a gift shop.
Ashford Castle
If you want to go to Ireland in style, Ashford Castle is definitely worth a visit. This luxurious five-star hotel is housed in the original 13th-century castle. Hotel guests can enjoy a real Medieval stay, including four-poster beds, suits of armor and wall hangings.
Castle Howard
The Castle Howard is known from several movies as it offers a beautiful filming location. The castle was built over the course of more than a hundred years because various lords of the castle had run out of budget halfway through the construction or had to wage a war. Although the building was badly damaged in the fire of 1940, it has since been completely renovated.
Dublin Castle
In Ireland, Dublin Castle has long been the sign of the British government. Since Ireland’s independence, the castle has been used for various government affairs. Because it is such a well-known style icon, it has been featured in various films and series
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Each of these castles is well worth a visit. There are various transport options to the United Kingdom, such as plane and train. However, this is quite pricey and, moreover, you have no transport in England. The ferry is a very suitable means of transport, because you can bring your own car. In addition, traveling by ferry is quite an experience in itself.
