Top 10 most beautiful castles and palaces in Great Britain

The most beautiful castles in Great Britain

English castles and palaces are one of the main reasons to visit Great Britain. There are hundreds of them: royal residences, medieval fortresses on cliffs, moated castles and estates where famous films were shot. We have picked the ten most beautiful castles in England, Scotland and Wales worth seeing in person.

Top 10 castles in Great Britain at a glance

Castle	Location
1. Windsor Castle	Windsor, Berkshire
2. Tower of London	London
3. Alnwick Castle	Alnwick, Northumberland
4. Edinburgh Castle	Edinburgh, Scotland
5. Dover Castle	Dover, Kent
6. Leeds Castle	near Maidstone, Kent
7. Durham Castle	Durham, County Durham
8. Bodiam Castle	Robertsbridge, East Sussex
9. Caernarfon Castle	Caernarfon, Wales
10. Warwick Castle	Warwick, Warwickshire

1. Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle is one of the most famous and grandest castles in the world, located in the city of Windsor, a few kilometers from London, Great Britain. The castle is the official residence of the British monarch and one of the four royal residences in Great Britain. It serves not only as a symbol of royal power, but also as a living museum of the history and culture of Great Britain.

This castle is known for its grandeur, architecture and role in the royal history of Great Britain. It is a must-see for anyone interested in the history, culture and architecture of this wonderful country.

2. Tower of London

The Tower is a historic fortress and palace located in the heart of London. The tower was built in the XI century by William the Conqueror and first served as a fortress and royal residence. Throughout its history, it has been used as a prison, a treasury, an arsenal, and even a zoo. One of the most famous objects in the Tower of London is Big Ben, as well as the large number of royal crowns and regalia that are kept here.

3. Alnwick Castle

This majestic castle in the north of England in Northumberland is known for its architecture and roles in films such as Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. It is the second largest residential castle in Great Britain. The Harry Potter museum has been opened in the castle. During the three-hour excursion, tourists will be able to see not only the costumes, scenery and props of the cult film, but also the locations of the most famous scenes: the Great Hall of Hogwarts, Professor Dumbledore's office, the famous library - all these are places from books and films that can be visited live.

4. Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle - Perched on a cliff above the city of Edinburgh, it offers spectacular views and history. The castle has a very ancient history, and its first mentions date back to around the 12th century. It served as a royal residence, the site of coronations and elections of Scottish monarchs, as well as an important defensive facility.

The oldest building in the castle and in all of Edinburgh is St Margaret's Chapel, built in the 12th century. Within the castle you can also see the medieval bombard Mons Meg and old cannons.

5. Dover Castle

Dover Castle is one of the largest English castles in terms of area. Located in Dover, Kent, on the shore of the Pas-de-Calais strait between Great Britain and France. It has long been considered the "key to England" because of its strategically important position on the island. Nowadays, the castle has been turned into a museum.

6. Leeds Castle

The castle is located in the southeast of England, near Maidstone in the county of Kent. It appeared in stone form in the 12th century. Since the castle faithfully served the kings for centuries, and, more precisely, their wives, it was called the "ladies' castle".

The castle premises contain antique furniture, medieval tapestries, porcelain, and paintings. Labyrinths made of plants have been created for children. And the black swans swimming in the lake are the descendants of those that Winston Churchill gave to the castle.

7. Durham Castle

Durham Castle is a Norman castle of the motte and bailey type, located in the English city of Durham on a rocky cliff above the River Wear. The castle was built in the XI century immediately after the Norman conquest of England to protect the northern lands from the Scots. It served as the residence of the Bishop of Durham, whose right of appointment was held by the monarch. At the beginning of the XIV century, Prince-Bishop Anthony Beck built a ceremonial hall over 30 meters long in the castle - one of the most remarkable in England.

8. Bodiam Castle

Bodiam Castle, located in the village of Robertsbridge in East Sussex, Great Britain, was built in the XIV century by Sir Edward Delingrigg. Built with the permission of Richard II, this castle was intended to defend the area against a possible French invasion during the Hundred Years' War.

Bodiam Castle served as the seat of the Delingrigg family and the center of the feudal fief (manor) of Bodiam. It is located on an artificial water landscape, which emphasizes its aesthetic appeal and defensive function. Bodiam Castle is an important example of medieval architecture and defenses and remains a valuable cultural heritage site.

9. Caernarfon Castle

The castle is located in northern Wales, in the county of Gwynedd. The huge fortress, overlooking the Sent River and the Menai Strait, looks today as it did in 1330, when construction was completed.

In recent years, the castle has been used for various exhibitions and concerts, and a very interesting museum is located on its territory. In it you can see weapons used in the Middle Ages, as well as other interesting historical artifacts.

10. Warwick Castle

Warwick is one of the most beautiful castles in England, located in the central part of England, in the town of the same name in Warwickshire. Warwick was founded in 914 by the Saxon Queen Æthelfilda, widow of King Æthelred. In the next century, it changed from wooden to stone, by order of King William the Conqueror.

The castle attracts tourists from all over the world with its history, architectural beauty and impressive exhibits. In the summertime, various entertainment events are held in the castle: medieval knight show-tournaments, archery, falconry, shooting from a restored catapult twice a day.

English castles FAQ

Which English castles can I see near London?

The Tower of London stands in the city itself, and Windsor Castle is to the west of London. In Kent, south-east of London, there are Leeds Castle and Dover Castle, and in East Sussex there is Bodiam.