Overnight stay in a castle?

[Scottishgirl85]

Planning my husband's 40th birthday and he loves castles! Has anyone done an overnight stay in an English castle? We have 3 kids (9, 6, 2), so ideally would be for all of us, and don't really want to rough it in a glamping pod. Thanks!

Bovey castle has a pool and a random bird of prey demonstration after breakfast.

Amberley Castle is fab

Carisbrooke castle on the Isle of Wight.

Warwick castle has just opened a hotel but they have clamping tents and little cabins too.

You could look at the Landmark Trust - they have several castles which you can rent out and stay in. We have stayed in kingswear castle and it was brilliant! They are not cheap, but you would get the whole place to yourselves like a holiday cottage. They also have lots of other really interesting historic buildings.
https://www.landmarktrust.org.uk/searchresults/?q=Castle

Lumley castle is now a hotel, and believed to be haunted if you are into that sort of thing.

I don’t think I could describe Bovey as a castle… I know it’s in the name but it’s more like an enormous country house?

Warwick Castle I’ve heard does something like this, but when I’ve looked in the past other options have been child free.

Scottish rather than English but I found Dalmunzie Castle good value and very castle like.
They have suites with kids rooms down an internal corridor from the parents rooms.

Leeds Castle and Hever Castle both have accommodation if you are near Kent

Bamburgh Castle has a couple of self-catering apartments within the walls but I’m not sure whether they have the right bed / room configurations.

Hever castle?

Hever castle is lush

I stayed in Thornbury Castle a few years ago. It was gorgeous, has a rich history and an amazing restaurant.

I would definitely recommend the Landmark Trust. Would avoid their Cawood Castle if you are bothered by anything a bit woo though as my husband really felt a dark presence there. Stayed in plenty of others with no problems though and we love them. Much better than a holiday abroad and it's good to know all of the money from your stay gets reinvestments in saving other old buildings.

For something a bit smaller and intimate but still a castle, try Dinton Castle or the one in Portreath.

I stayed there recently and it was excellent. Can thoroughly recommend it. It’s just to the north of Bristol.

We have stayed in Watermouth Castle in Devon both times for a week, had a swimming pool get sole use of an hour or two a day and gardens, on the coast and a theme park with mini golf etc.

Would also say Landmark Trust though think they don't have internet. Lundy is lovely but would be longer than overnight, Isles of Scilly similar, they have a Star Castle and can get helicopter from Penzance.

Another vote for Bovey Castle. Love the place.

It might not be “castle” enough but the staff are great, food is lovely and rooms super comfortable.

Tell us more?

Landmark Trust have no TVs or internet, so doubt your kids would be happy

At briavels castle is amazing !

Warwick Castle has just opened a hotel; as others have said, but it’s not really “staying in a castle”, as it’s a totally newly built building, just in a style that’s in keeping with the castle. It’s on the castle grounds but not connected to the castle. It’s also not especially cheap 😅 but the rooms are nice and there’s some fun children’s entertainment most of the time.

Bovey Castle is in a gorgeous spot, but is absolutely Castle in name only. It was built by WH Smith after he made his fortune in stationery- a large Victorian country house and beautiful place to stay on the edge of Dartmoor. But it doesn't even pretend to be a castle in its history or architecture.

I 'd check out Landmark Trust. Also- it might be a long shot but if you don't want to go too far south- Rose Castle in Cumbria might be worth a look. It runs as a retreat and conference centre but might be open to private guests on other dates.

I stayed at Coombe Abbey many (many) years ago, it's not a castle exactly, but feels very castle like, I loved it!

Craster Castle in Northumberland has an apartment you can rent in the turret.