What’s your favourite UK castle to visit?

[Littledidsheknow]

I love a castle (and a cathedral, but that’s another thread 😀) and since I’ll be holidaying more in the UK now I’d like to hear about your favourite castles.

Mine is Conwy! It’s big, has ramparts, walkways and towers and gorgeous views. 🏰

OTOH, Despite its dramatic presence, Edinburgh castle doesn’t do much for me.

Kenilworth....so romantic and a huge historical tale to tell.

Bamburgh. Magical.

Conwy. I have never forgotten the incredible sight as we drove across the bridge over the estuary. It looks very beautiful illuminated at night too. I wish I could live in Conwy or nearby but I can't.

Fab, thanks! Historical tales and “magical” are both great traits in castles!

I love a castle.
Richmond castle is one of my favourites. Somewhat ruined but the setting is fabulous and the history fascinating. Visited just after reading a Cynthia Harrod-Eagles which featured it.
I don't like Bamburgh castle because despite looking stunning from the outside, inside it's more like a stately home.
Warkworth is a good one, very little left though.
Middleham - bleak and atmospheric.

I know it’s not an actual castle but castle Howard in Yorkshire is stunningly beautiful , I do love carnarvon in wales and Conwy .

Crathes Castle - it’s just fun inside with beautiful grounds. Alnwick castle grounds and Floors castle.

Dover. It was still in use for so long. Covers everything.

Then probably Conwy

Dunluce Castle, on the Antrim coast, is far and away my favourite. It is a complete ruin, but the setting is spectacular. Even thinking about it gives me goosebumps. We took one of DP’s Australian relatives to see it a few years ago and he actually cried, the big eejit!

Middleham my all time favourite. Followed by Thrieve in Scotland, Barnard, Dunluce and Blarney. On my Bucket list are Bamburgh and Raby.

Castell coch near Cardiff is teeny but gorgeous

A toss up between Alnwick and Bamburgh.

Just outside Ludlow is Stokesay Castle. Its only small but has a wonderful atmosphere and a nice Norman church nextdoor

Warwick Castle. 👍

Really enjoyed Kenilworth
Bamburgh was good fun too and a bit different to the usual NT/EH offering

Hever Castle, I always enjoy going there.

Arundel, partly because its just down the road, but i love the grounds (the Tulip festival is stunning) and the town. There's a nice walk along the river, from the castle to a lovely lake with a nice tea room. We also have a cathedral.

I love that there are so many different reasons for living a castle, whether it’s history, grounds, scenery, and level of preservedness or ruination!

Some interesting suggestions I’d like to visit.
Used to go to Warwick a lot when lived in the midlands and of course it’s wonderful, but just a little too done up/Disneyfied now maybe!

I loved Dover castle as a child, it really captured my imagination.
I also like Dunstanburgh castle for it's dramatic location. Beaumaris castle was good to walk about and pretty. Wales is full of good castles to visit.
I agree about Stokesay too.

Love Dunluce. It’s on my list to take my friend to next year when we go over

I visited Conwy Castle just after Christmas a couple of years ago but they had to close as the wnds were too strong. It's on my list to go back to.

Bodiam. So atmospheric when there on a misty day.

Dunstanburgh. It's such a lovely walk out to it along the top of the (very small) cliffs. It always feels to me that, if I were to turn around very quickly, I could catch it being a proper castle rather than a ruin. As though it's hiding behind itself, somehow.

It's my favourite castle of all. I agree with a pp who said they didn't like Bamburgh, and for the same reason - it looks like a real castle but it's been so rebuilt and messed about with that it feels a bit fake.

Another Bodiam fan here - love the moat!

Arundel for me too. There’s a good castle bit and then some which is more like a stately home. Loads of interesting exhibits and stuff to see. Nice gardens.

Then Doune castle which has the best audio tour going.