castles
Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire: What to see and do
Forever entwined with the enigmatic romance between Queen Elizabeth I and Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, the castle's storied walls echo with the whispers of a bygone era
Corfe Castle walk, Dorset
A short but spectacular walk around one of Britain's most dramatic castle ruins.
Step into a world of Vikings, Normans and clan chieftains with these 10 must-visit coastal castles
Discover 10 of the UK's most dramatic coastal castles, from Conwy Castle in Wales and Dunluce in Northern Ireland, to Tintagel in England and Eilean Donan in Scotland.
Dunnottar Castle: history, facts and how to visit
Perched high on a rocky peninsula in North-East Scotland, with sheer cliffs rising up from the crashing North Sea on all its sides but one, Dunnottar is perhaps the most dramatically located castle in the entire British Isles.
Harlech Castle: history, facts and how to visit
Visit Harlech Castle for spectacular views from the sandstone walls and towers towards Snowdonia's mountains
Dartmouth Castle: history, ferry and how to visit
Dartmouth Castle has guarded the entrance to the River Dart for centuries. Visit the fortress today to learn all about its dramatic past.
Dover Castle: history, tunnels and how to visit
Explore Dover Castle's impressive network of tunnels that run deep beneath the Kent fortress then take a walk along the famous white cliffs – the perfect day out for history lovers
Caernarfon Castle: history, facts and how to visit
Built in the 13th to 14th centuries, imposing Caernarfon Castle was designed to be a show of Edward I’s imperial strength. Explore this fortress on the north-west coast of Wales with our visitor's guide
Eilean Donan Castle: history, facts and how to visit
Eilean Donan, which means the Island of Donnán, is one of the most photographed places in Scotland and has appeared in a number of films, including Highlander. Visit the fortress, learn about its past and admire the grandeur of the mountains that surround it.
Conwy Castle: history, facts and how to visit
Conwy is exceptionally well preserved and one of the most complete castles in the Wales. Explore the castle in the centre of Conwy town, then head to Conwy Mountain for an aerial view of the fortress.
Bamburgh Castle: history, beach, The Last Kingdom, and how to visit
Find out everything you need to know about Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland – including its history, filming, ticket prices, opening times and how to explore Bamburgh Beach – with our visitor's guide.
Tintagel Castle: history, legend and how to visit
Step into Arthurian folklore with a visit to Cornwall’s rough and rocky north coast and Tintagel Castle, one of Britain's most iconic ruins
Belvoir Castle walk, Lincolnshire/Leicestershire
This 7.8-mile circular walk to Belvoir Castle includes a section on the Grantham Canal and a stop-off at a charming country pub
Britain's most impressive castles
Britain's ancient castles are woven into the rich heritage of our cities and countryside. Explore remote medieval ruins and iconic castles with our guide to Britain's best castles.
Dunnottar Castle walk, Aberdeenshire
From Cromwell’s mighty armies to the North Sea’s pounding waves, this castle has been under siege since its foundations were laid
Day out: Loch Leven, Perthshire
Flock to Scotland’s largest lowland loch, where spring wildlife abounds
Walk: Gwydir Castle, Llanrwst, Conwy
Explore a Tudor mansion and its former estate on the edge of the Snowdonia National Park in Wales
Day out: Hever Castle, Kent
Hever Castle’s jewel-coloured lakeside meadows are an inspiring addition, bringing joy to pollinators and gardeners alike
Britain's most haunted castles
Britain's historical castles are shrouded in mystery and bloodthirsty battle tales – our ghastly guide looks at the chilling stories behind Britain's most haunted castles.
Walk: Brigsteer Woods, Cumbria
Walk past a medieval castle and glowing wild daffodils with this four-mile walk in the Lake District National Park
Drive: Welsh Marches castle route
Turbulent for centuries, the Anglo-Welsh Border was heavily fortified. Today you can visit seven beautiful bastions on a splendid two-day tour through the Shropshire Hills
Walk: Mallerstang, Cumbria
Explore two castles steeped in legend in Mallerstang, a glorious valley south of Kirkby Stephen on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales
Guide to the Midlands: best villages to visit, country houses and places to eat and stay
The gently rolling pastures of the English Midlands are scattered with pretty villages, gnarly castles and quirky country houses. Here is our guide to the Midlands, looking at the best villages, country houses and castles to visit, walks, plus best places to eat and stay
Walk: Alwinton and Harbottle, Northumberland
Enjoy the history, geology and wildlife of two of Northumberland’s most peaceful villages