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Original poster

Best castles to visit

76 replies

occa · 12/05/2023 14:22

I'd like to take 12 and 15yo DC to visit a "proper" (medieval type) castle this summer. We're in Cambridge and I don't drive, so somewhere within easy-ish reach by train would be ideal.

Warwick looks amazing and you can camp in the grounds, which is very appealing, but it's a bit of a pita to get to (have to go into and across London then out again). Could anyone recommend any other good options?

TIA

OP posts:
Doyouthinktheyknow · 12/05/2023 14:34

Warwick is a bit of a theme park castle these days.

IMO Wales has the best castles, Caernarfon and Conwy are both incredible and much loved by our dses when they were younger. Don’t think it would be that easy without a car though.

tattychicken · 12/05/2023 14:35

Bodiam

Bells3032 · 12/05/2023 14:36

Tower of London is the obv answer or Hampton Court Palace but outside of london have you looked at Arundel Castle near chichester. Beautiful grounds and much quieter than warwick

Doyouthinktheyknow · 12/05/2023 14:36

Or Northumberland which is blessed with so many castles, Warkworth, Dunstanburgh, Lindisfarne. Bamburgh is also incredible but more of a stately home.

It’s probably not too bad a journey from Cambridge but always going to be a trek.

ReviewingTheSituation · 12/05/2023 14:42

What kind of castle? If you did head to Warwick, you could also do Kenilworth, which is ruined and very different, but a very good day out. Only 10 mins up the road from Warwick.

Warwick is definitely an 'attraction' castle, but kids love it and there's loads to do - falconry displays, the trebuchet, climbing the ramparts etc. It's a day they'd definitely remember.

I can see it being a bit of a PITA from Cambridge, by rail though. If you have direct services from Cambridge to Milton Keynes or Watford, you can change there and pick up a train to Coventry, which wouldn't be that much in a cab to Warwick (or a bus, if you've got time).

Comedycook · 12/05/2023 14:44

I've only been to Leeds castle (in Kent ironically) and Hever, also in Kent. Not sure if that's too far for you to travel but both are absolutely fantastic.

bellinisurge · 12/05/2023 14:44

My DH is a castle maniac ( medieval history graduate / never lost his love for them) - I'll get back to you.

WordtoYoMumma · 12/05/2023 15:37

Caerphilly Castle (South Wales) is my fave castle ever. Honestly it's such a good castle. Accessible by train but far from you so you might want to make a mini break of it and stay in Cardiff. Can visit Cardiff Castle then too!

Wtafis · 12/05/2023 15:39

A king wan but Dover castle is great

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 12/05/2023 15:45

Second Dover Castle. It's been restored inside to look as it was when it was built (12c) and you can see how it commanded both the town and the straits of Dover. Helluva climb up from the town to get to it, though, but well worth it.

Floralnomad · 12/05/2023 15:45

Dover Castle is excellent and if you stay in the area you can do Walmer castle as well which is the best castle in England . Bodiam is lovely for a walk but the castle itself is a bit basic . Warwick castle is a theme park and charged accordingly .

bellinisurge · 12/05/2023 16:06

Op, DH recommends Lincoln if your travel options are limited. Should be accessible by train for you. I've been there several times with him - it's a good one. I think the castle is a bit of a walk up the only hill in Lincolnshire but worth it.

Maybe Framingham in Suffolk.
Caernarfon is an awesome castle, as is Conwy - bit of a yomp by train. Northumberland has fab castles but also tough to reach by public transport only.

ErrolTheDragon · 12/05/2023 16:10

Lincoln is definitely be accessible by train from Cambridge, DD did that trip last summer when we met her for a boating course there but we visited the castle etc too.

ShamefulNameChange1 · 12/05/2023 16:13

Dover is brilliant. You’ll struggle to do it all in a day and it’s got everything - proper Norman motte and Bailey, medieval tunnels and earthworks, WWI exhibition, the Hellfire Corner tunnels (can’t remember what they’re called now but WWII spy tunnels).

FisherThem · 12/05/2023 16:17

Warwick is VERY overpriced and overrated

Stardustkid · 12/05/2023 16:18

Bodiam is a proper castle moat and all

boobot1 · 12/05/2023 16:28

Bells3032 · 12/05/2023 14:36

Tower of London is the obv answer or Hampton Court Palace but outside of london have you looked at Arundel Castle near chichester. Beautiful grounds and much quieter than warwick

Arundel is stunning

boobot1 · 12/05/2023 16:29

Northumberland, theres loads of them there! Bamburgh and Alnwick are both lovely

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 12/05/2023 16:32

boobot1 · 12/05/2023 16:28

Arundel is stunning

Show quote history

Lovely gardens, as well.

BlueChampagne · 12/05/2023 16:34

A weekend in Suffolk with bikes and do Orford and Framlingham.
Dover and Bodiam are great but could be a pain to get to for you.
Northumberland is fab for castles, as is Wales ... if you want to plan a longer trip.
Stirling and Edinburgh are also good.

BlueChampagne · 12/05/2023 16:35

Colchester or Norwich might be worth looking into.

Cheguevarahamster · 12/05/2023 16:37

Arundel is gorgeous.
Warwick is a hell hole.
I have a soft spot for Pembroke castle but I expect this is a bit far.

gardendream · 12/05/2023 16:39

BlueChampagne · 12/05/2023 16:35

Colchester or Norwich might be worth looking into.

Norwich is half closed at the moment, it’s having a big refurb. The museum bits are open but not the dungeons/battlements or the keep (so none of the proper castle bits!) I think it’s supposed to be reopening 2024??

What about Windsor Castle? I remember a great time there when I was a teenager years ago but no recent experience.

Offthexmaslist · 12/05/2023 16:43

Hever .. especially in the summer with young kids. They will love the water maze.. garden's absolutely gorgeous.

Shinyandnew1 · 12/05/2023 16:47

Tower of London
Dover
Caerphilly
Conwy
Bodium

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