Top 10 British Castles To Have On The Bucket List

Abstract

• Dover Fortress in England is likely one of the most spectacular medieval castles, generally known as the “Key to England”. It provides an enchanting glimpse into English historical past.
• Stirling Fortress in Scotland, situated on a hill overlooking vital routes, is open to the general public and supplies an excellent expertise for studying about Scottish historical past.
• Beaumaris Fortress in Wales, constructed by Edward I, is a exceptional concentric citadel on the coast that showcases strategic medieval fortification methods.

Nice Britain is filled with glorious castles to see and discover, with many relationship from Norman instances in England or from the instances of the English conquering of Wales (the Scots had their very own parallel historical past). This listing will solely embody the castles in England, Scotland, and Wales and never these in Eire or the Isle of Man (like the Viking Peel Castle).

There are far too many to do justice right here, however listed below are a number of of the most effective castles in Nice Britain to incorporate on the bucket listing whereas visiting the UK. It’s even attainable to book accommodation in some of the castles within the UK.

10 Dover Fortress, England

Dover Castle was long known as the “Key to England”. It’s situated in Dover, near France, and is likely one of the most spectacular medieval castles in England.

The location in Dover is home to one of the few Roman lighthouses left standing (re-purposed because the bell tower for the church there). Dover Fortress is likely one of the nice locations to be taught concerning the Medieval historical past of England (and even its function in WW2).

9 Stirling Fortress, Scotland

Stirling Castle is one of the great castles of Scotland and dates from when it was an unbiased kingdom. It’s situated on a hill overlooking vital routes close to Perth.

The citadel is open to the general public and has an excellent collection of reveals {and professional} reenactors to carry the previous Scottish citadel to life.

• Constructed:
  twelfth Century to sixteenth Century

8 Warwick Fortress, England

Warwick Castle is a dwelling citadel within the Midlands of England relationship from Norman instances. It’s a privately owned citadel with reveals, thrilling (spooky) dungeons, and reveals (like falconry).

It was transformed over time into being a non-public residence, and at this time it is likely one of the high dwelling castles to discover in England.

Associated: Warwick Castle: What To Expect From The Living Castle Built By William The Conqueror

7 Caernarfon Fortress, Wales

Wales is known for being the land of castles and is house to a few of the finest castles in Britain – it has lots of of them and the best density of castles of any nation in Europe.

One of many 4 well-known UNESCO-listed castles value visiting, constructed by King Edward I, is Caernarfon Fortress. This imposing caste is well-preserved and has 9 towers with lodging for the king’s family.

Associated: See The Four Outstanding Castles Of King Edward In Wales

6 Conwy Fortress, Wales

Conwy Fortress is one other probably the greatest castles in Wales; it was a really costly citadel constructed by Edward I (the identical English king as is seen within the film Braveheart).

Not solely is the Conwy Fortress one of the crucial spectacular castles on the British Isles, however the city of Conwy can also be house to essentially the most full set of city partitions in Wales.

5 Windsor Fortress, England

Windsor Fortress is probably essentially the most well-known citadel in England. It’s an official royal residence of King Charles I and is situated simply exterior of London.

It was first constructed within the eleventh century by William the Conqueror and has been utilized by the English and British monarchs for nearly a thousand years. It’s the oldest occupied palace in Europe.

4 Harlech Fortress, Wales

Harlech Fortress is one other instance of how far the English needed to go within the thirteenth century to cement their management over Wales. Harlech Fortress is in northern Wales and was constructed between 1282 and 1289.

It had a task in various wars, together with the final fortification held by forces loyal to Charles I to give up to Parliamentary armies. The sq. citadel is well-preserved at this time.

3 Edinburgh Fortress, Scotland

Edinburgh Fortress is likely one of the high points of interest in Scotland, and it has been a royal citadel for the reason that reign of David I within the twelfth century. It was one of the crucial vital strongholds within the Kingdom of Scotland and has been besieged round 26 instances (giving it a declare to being essentially the most besieged place in Nice Britain).

Immediately, it’s the most visited paid vacationer attraction north of the English border in Scotland.

• Constructed:
  eleventh Century (with works to the twenty first century)

2 Alnwick Fortress, England

Alnwick Fortress is a citadel (and a rustic home) within the northern English county of Northumberland. It rose to worldwide fame for being the filming location of a few of the scenes of Hogwarts in Harry Potter.

It’s now the house of the twelfth Duke of Northumberland, and it’s open to the general public. The citadel is likely one of the hottest points of interest in Northern England.

Associated: Alnwick Castle: Broom Lessons, Poison Gardens, & More

1 Beaumaris Fortress, Wales

Beaumaris Fortress was the final of the castles of Edward I to be in-built northern Wales. The concentric citadel was in-built 1295 and accomplished round 1330.

It was constructed on the coast in a manner that it could possibly be resupplied beneath siege by sea-going ships. The ships had been capable of sail proper as much as the citadel gate. The citadel is off the Welsh mainland on the massive Isle of Anglesey.

• Constructed:
  eleventh & twelfth Century