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.

Dover is amazing. The keep was reimagined in the early 2000s (I think) and it's excellent now. Plus, it's got the Secret Wartime Tunnels!

Culzean fills me with so much nostalgia. Many a visit during my childhood and we always go when we return to Scotland. And what a location. 😍

Powys is a gem. I love castles that were renovated for 20th century living (Leeds is another great example).

Portchester. Absolutely make sure you climb to the roof. And the history on view there is astonishing.

Rochester. I've actually only gone twice but it's incredibly atmospheric. The wind was howling through the windows and really being able to imagine living inside it.

Doune Castle. Also howling wind vibes! Loved it.

Years ago, I worked for a heritage organisation and a large part of my job involved visiting historic sites. Dream job!

Slaines castle in Aberdeenshire, inspired Bram Stoker and a wonderful ruin on a cliff edge. White Castle in Wales is stunnily located and another wonderful ruin- both free to explore as well.

Bodiam Castle is straight out of Enid Blyton.

My Dd would say Scotney - but I don’t really class that as a castle, more a country home with some ruins by a lake.

I loved Tintagel, but went there with a 6 week old baby, and 3 very young children, and had to leave because I was getting hysterical about cliffs! Haven’t been back since.

Glad some else mentioned Bolsover, it’s up there as a favourite and Chillingham for a bit of a spooky vibe!

Leeds is on my bucket list!

Hever and The Tower were the first castles my aunt and mother took me to as a child. I went on to do history at university, so I have a particular soft spot for Hever, even though I haven't been in years!

In England, Arundel. Smashing 19th century reconstruction tacked on to a Norman original, lovely gardens and a nice town as well.
It's a fortified manor house, not a castle (for the purists out there) but Stokesay Castle is delightful.

In Wales, Castell Coch. It's a 19th Century folly but simply magnificent!

In Scotland, nothing beats Caerlaverock. Britain's only triangular castle.

Stirling Castle. Prefer it to Edinburgh.
Dunstanburgh castle. Ruins but fantastic setting
Bamburgh Castle. Beautiful and on an amazing beach. You can see Lindisfarne castle and also Dunstanburgh castle from there
Alnwick castle
Dunrobin castle
St Andrews castls

I live in Lancaster, so I am very pleased with this one!

I am going to have to give Consibrough Castle an honorable mention because it was the castle of our school trips back in the 70s. More importantly, the person it was built for appears to be in my family tree so it’s actually My Castle.

great thread !
I live in Chester so good castle country, you have inspired me to visit Conwy tomorrow!
been loads of times with my boys, have taken it for granted so it deserves a visit with my ‘castle eyes’ open

I have a Dunrobin leather bookmark still in use today in the family home but I have no recollection of being there as a child! I have just assumed that it was a gift from a friend so I would love to go and visit. Going to add it to my castle bucket list😍

just googled bodiam, how beautiful!
i really must do some work and stop stalking castles 🤣

Old Wardour near Tisbury in Wiltshire...for the glorious setting.

I love Carew castle in Pembrokeshire, and the tide mill next to it.

Last June we did a tour behind the scenes in the old Scotney Castle part. Really interesting what it was before they demolished it to be a pretty ruin.

DD is a history student with a focus on late 14th to 17th century and taking her to any castle means getting at least one lecture.

Beeston castle in Cheshire is a lovely small castle, with beautiful views.

Stirling.

Caernarfon!

Carreg Cennen for sheer romance and Celtic yearning.

You can't beat Dunnoter, Eilean Donan or Urqhart Castles for dramatic locations

The Castle Aargh

Kidwelly castle. But it wouldn't be a destination visit, I'd combine with other Welsh castles to visit as mentioned Pembrokeshire for example.

Opening scenes from Monty Pythons Holy Grail were filmed there though! 😂

Alnwick castle is great and next to the Alnwick gardens which are also great with a poison garden.
Bamburgh castle is nearby the above.

Down south is Hever Castle quite small but v interesting, and set in fab grounds.

Leeds, Warwick and Hever are all brilliant IMO.

Kisimul Castle.

It's literally in the middle of the sea off Castlebay. It is just spectacular.

Warwick

Cornwall’s ruined castles have stunning settings and views. Tintagel and Launceston are my favourites. You need a bank loan or EH membership for Tintagel though! Castles I really don’t like are pretty ones like Leeds or overdone hype like Warwick.