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.

I have 3 castles within a 6 or 7 minute drive from home. My favourite is Carreg Cennen - a ruin dramatically perched on a crag with the Brecon Beacons as a backdrop, with a cave/dungeon underneath.

Corfe castle - ruins but amazing

Pendennis Castle in Falmouth is excellent. Built by Henry VIII, been in military use more or less ever since. It's managed by English Herritage, but if the MOD ever decide they need it back, they just gice 24 hours' notice and it's theirs. When you've finished at Pendennis, take the ferry across rhe harbour to St Mawes. The St Mawes castle was built solely as a gun emplacement to complement Pendennis, as the cannons weren't quite powerful enough to cross the entire harbour. The result is an oddly cosy and welcoming castle that's like a smaller version of Pendennis. Two castles in one day 😊

Carreg Cennen in the Brecon Beacons has much big drama.
Small castle winner: Manorbier near Tenby.

The Welsh give good castle.

Love Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness for its dark brooding setting.

Brodick Castle on Arran for its beautiful gardens.

Stirling for size and history.

Bamburgh is on my list so I'm glad it's so many people's favourite.

Culzean in Ayrshire. Just doon the road and my niece has family national trust tickets so we visit it with great niece and family often.

Stirling Castle for 360° stupendous views and the free of charge guided tours from extremely knowledgeable guides!

Crathes is of my favourites too.

The Grandeur is breathtaking.
Our neck of the woods Castle Fraser & Crathes particularly the rose gardens.

My other favourite!

I lived about ten minutes from Craigievar but have never actually been!

Rumoured to be the model for Disney’s castles.

Glamis was interesting

Hever.
Its so pretty but also so interesting due to the Boleyns and much later the Astors.

The most disappointing (though you didn’t ask) was Framlingham. Should be much better.

I really want to go to Tantallon or Dunnottar. Something about a castle or ruin on a stormy coast is wonderful

As a child I thought Warwick Castle wonderful.

Yes to Craigievar it’s stunning and the perfect pink castle, my absolute favourite!

For anyone who likes castles Aberdeenshire would be a good place to stay.

Dudley Castle has sentimental value for me as it was near where I grew up so I was a regular visitor in childhood.
But apart from that, Alnwick Castle and Conwy Castle are two of my favourites. I am a big fan of castles but like others was strangely underwhelmed by Edinburgh Castle, although generally loved Edinburgh and it is supposed to be one of the top tourist attractions in the UK.

Dunstanburgh, wonderful, wild location

Seconded. It's an gem.

Can I ask why?

Powys Castle is stunning.

Conwy is mine too! I love Conwy. Dover is impressive as well.

I love Dover castle but in the summer months Walmer Castle is absolutely gorgeous. The grounds are stunning.

I've never been but Manorbier looks gorgeous.