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.

craigentinny castle

Its not the biggest and flashiest one but it's now a community centre and I love that it's still a used castle if that makes sense?

Leeds castle is lovely.

Love that description and I agree!

I like Warkworth Castle and Etal (although that’s small). Floors is also interesting inside.

Corfe.
So old. Its a ruin now but the national trust manages it and you can walk up and around the ruins. Beautiful part of the country and the views are lovely 😊

Another for Dunstanburgh - the walk from Craster is really special.

(it's a bit of a crap castle when inside)

I have found my people! I need to do more holidays in Wales.

Bodiam castle for the castle that you try to build on the beach
Corfe Castle for what it looks like when someone has stepped on that beautiful beach construction
Dover for the history
Dunstanburgh for the romantic positioning

Dunnottar Castle is absolutely brilliant. And you can play at being Lady Macbeth.

Doune.

Also a huge Falkland Palace fan. Been several times to see it.

Kenilworth too. Went there in late summer once. We were about the last to leave. Sun low in the sky and a few of the staff, in their various costumes, were just sitting or leaning and chatting at the end of their working day. No visitors (in normal clothes) (left apart from us. )

We were sitting up quite high on a grassy hill and this sight has stayed with me for years. The effect was magical - like actually seeing waaaay back in time.

Penrhyn castle for me. Is absolutely beautiful

Ooh I love a good castle! Skipton Castle is lovely plus it has nice tearooms and a gift shop 🙂

I like Criccieth Castle, even though there's not much left of it. It has the most spectacular views and is so atmospheric.

Criccieth is also not far from Harlech Castle, which is similar to Conwy Castle as they were designed by the same person. I especially like the fortified staircase in Harlech which takes you from what used to be the sea to the castle in 108, not so easy, steps.

Was genuinely amazed by Bolsover - huge castle, amazing views.

All the northern castles, the ruins and the ones still in use
Barnard
Richmond
Norham
Warkworth
Alnwick
Raby
Stirling
Culzean
Dunrobin
Brodick
Falkland

Ooh yes, amazing setting and lots to see inside. But my heart is still with Dunstanburgh - won't hear a word against it!

If you want some smaller and more domestic castles, Pickering and Helmsley are worth seeing.

Carreg Cennen Castle in Carmarthenshire. It's a ruin but the view, oh the views! Likewise Chepstow Castle in Monmouthshire perched high above the river Wye.

So many!
Conwy, Canaerfon as mentioned above. I love Powys and Chirk too. I grew up near Beeston and the views are amazing.
Carew for tides, Pembroke, Manorbier ...
I love a castle and could go on and on!

These are near Edinburgh:
craigmiller
tantallon
dirleton

Culzean Castle in Ayrshire! Great castle - amazing views (you can see Northern Ireland on a very clear day!) beaches, great parks, deer, llamas - just a really great place.

and it was in The Wicker Man 😀

Powys

Dunstanburgh even though its ruins its dramatic coastal location is amazing.
Bamburgh.
Windsor for the history.

Carisbrooke has donkeys.

Dunluce is like something from GOT & I love the Tower of London if that counts

Stirling Castle
Edinburgh Castle.

There's a folly near where I used to live called Blaise Castle. Does that count?

Pembroke castle is great for history, it’s where Henry VII was born, quite a lot of rooms left and a nice cafe!