Britain was built on the back of a long and tumultuous history. Hundreds and hundreds of years of conflict: countless battles fought by both native and foreign forces, the endless struggle between the ruling and ruled classes and the constant search for sanctuary from the isles’ harsh and changeable weather.
Few things express what puts the Great into Britain better than a castle. Here’s our pick of the 10 most handsome castles in England, Scotland and Wales.
The featured image of the Tower of London is courtesy of Historic Royal Palaces.
Bodiam Castle – East Sussex, England
• Period built: 14th century
• Visit price: £6.30
• Unique feature: picturesque moat
Windsor Castle – Berkshire, England
• Period built: 15-19th centuries
• Visit price: £17
• Unique feature: the official residence of Her Majesty the Queen, Windsor is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world
Inveraray Castle – Argyll, Scotland
• Period built: 18th century
• Visit price: £10
• Unique feature: surrounded by Scotland’s longest sea loch (Loch Fyne) on one side and forested hills on the other
St Michael’s Mount – Cornwall, England
• Period built: 19th century
• Visit price: £7.50
• Unique feature: the castle is situated on top of a small tidal island
Warwick Castle – Warwickshire, England
• Period built: 11-17th centuries
• Visit price: £30.60 (save money by booking online)
• Unique feature: arguably the finest kept medieval castle in the world
The Tower of London – London, England
• Period built: 11-19th centuries
• Visit price: £20.90
• Unique feature: home to the Crown jewels
Penrhyn Castle – Gwynedd, Wales
• Period built: 19th century
• Visit price: £10
• Unique feature: contains a one-ton slate bed made for Queen Victoria
Arundel Castle – West Sussex, England
• Period built: 11-19th centuries
• Visit price: £17
• Unique feature: the original motte-and-double-bailey portion of the castle (constructed in 1068) remains in great condition
Eastnor Castle – Herefordshire, England
• Period built: 19th century
• Visit price: £9
• Unique feature: every summer this “mock” castle (a stately home built to resemble a castle) hosts the Big Chill Festival
Dunvegan Castle – Isle of Skye, off the coast of Scotland
• Period built: 9th century
• Visit price: £9.50
• Unique feature: occupied by the same clan for over eight centuries, Dunvegan is Scotland’s oldest continually inhabited castle
Note: all prices listed are for adult admission.
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to…
