Britain's most amazing castles

How many of these castles do you know?

The United Kingdom is jam-packed with history and is home to some of the most incredible castles you will ever see.

Every year tourists from all over the world will flock to the castles of Britain to take in the history that they possess.

Whether they were once inhabited by Royalty or not, every castle in Britain comes with its own story that is often as bloody as it is interesting!

It is for this reason that so many tourists are drawn to the castles of Britain and will continue to visit them following the pandemic.

Here are 5 of our favorite castles in the United Kingdom

1. Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle is one of the most popular castles in the United Kingdom and for good reason. Formerly the most besieged location in Britain, it looks over the city of Edinburgh, offering spectacular views to anyone who makes a visit.

The Castle is also home to the Royal Palace, the living quarters of many medieval kings and queens throughout the centuries, as well as the National War Museum and the Scottish National War Memorial.

2. Castell Coch

Named after the 13th-century Red Castle that once occupied the commanding site overlooking the Taff Gorge, Castell Coch is one of the most famous castles in Wales. 

Curving around Cardiff on the M4 motorway in South Wales, you suddenly glimpse, to the north, the ethereal vision of conical towers peeping from beech woods like some fairytale Bavarian castle or secret Swiss château.

Look closely and you can see where medieval masonry blends into the later, 19th-century building that grew from the original blueprint in a tour de force of High Victorian romantic medievalism: the creation of the reputedly richest man in the world, John Patrick Crichton Stuart, 3rd Marquess of Bute (1847—1900), and his eccentric architect, William Burges (1827—1881).

3. Highclere Castle

Best known for featuring in Downton Abbey, Highclere Castle is one of the most popular tourist destinations of its kind.

The first written records of the estate date back to 749 when an Anglo-Saxon King granted the estate to the Bishops of Winchester. Bishop William of Wykeham built a beautiful medieval palace and gardens in the park. Later on, the palace was rebuilt as Highclere Place House in 1679 when it was purchased by Sir Robert Sawyer, the direct ancestor of the current Earl of Carnarvon. During the First World War, Highclere Castle was converted into a hospital for wounded soldiers run by the 5th Countess of Carnarvon. Throughout the Second World War, Highclere Castle was home to children evacuated from London.

Now, the castle runs tours so that the general public can immerse themselves in the history of the estate.

4. Tower of London

The Tower of London is a famous World Heritage Site with 1,000 years of history at its core. 

The Tower is home to the Crown Jewels, a collection of more than 23,000 gemstones. Thousands of tourists flock to the Tower of London every year to get a glimpse at the jewels.

The Tower of London has now re-opened its doors to visitors but continues to operate at limited capacity due to the pandemic.

5. Windsor Castle

First developed by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, Windsor Castle is regularly used by the Queen as a weekend retreat, as well as hosting state occasions and royal weddings. The Round Tower dominates the skyline and sits atop the oldest part of the castle, while St George’s Chapel acts as the spiritual home of the Order of the Garter – an order of chivalry dating back to the reign of Edward III in 1348. Advanced booking for the castle is recommended.