Top 10 Must-Visit Castles in England: Where to Go and Why

Discover England’s Most Impressive Castles – From Royal Residences to Ruined Legends

Ever dreamed of stepping into your own medieval epic, complete with towering battlements, royal scandals, and suspiciously drafty dungeons? Well, good news - England is absolutely brimming with castles that’ll make you feel like a time-travelling noble (or at least a well-dressed tourist).

Whether you’re plotting a grand tour of every castle in the land or just want to squeeze in one unforgettable fortress on your next trip, this guide will make for a great starting point.

While this article focuses solely on England’s finest strongholds, we’d be remiss not to mention that some of the UK’s most spectacular castles lie further north and west - shout out to Scotland’s majestic Edinburgh Castle and Eilean Donan, or Wales’ imposing Caernarfon and Conwy. But they will have to wait for their own spotlight.

While many castles are accessible by train or bus, some of the most scenic or lesser-known gems are best reached by car. Renting one gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace, detour through countryside villages, and squeeze in a few extra stops along the way.

So, if you're ready to step into England’s storied past, here are 10 castles you absolutely won’t want to miss.

Windsor Castle - Best Castle in England for Royal History

Where: Windsor, Berkshire – about 25 miles west of London, easily reached by train or car

Admission Ticket
Day Trip From London (several tours combine with Stonehenge and/or Bath)
How long to visit: 3 to 4 hours

Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, with a history that stretches back over 1,000 years. Originally built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, it has been home to 40 monarchs and remains an official residence of the British royal family today. When the Royal Standard is flying, it means the King is in residence - no pressure.

Inside the castle walls, you’ll find the stunning State Apartments, lavishly furnished with paintings by the likes of Rembrandt and Rubens, and used today for ceremonial occasions. Just next door is St George’s Chapel, one of the most beautiful ecclesiastical buildings in England and the resting place of monarchs including Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth II.

If you're lucky, you might catch the famous Changing of the Guard, a traditional ceremony that takes place several times a week, with military marching bands and full regalia. There’s also Queen Mary’s Dollhouse – a perfectly preserved miniature palace complete with tiny books, plumbing, and even electricity – if you’re into surprisingly adorable royal architecture.

Top tip: After your castle visit, take a short stroll down to the Long Walk – the tree-lined avenue that runs from the castle gates into Windsor Great Park. It’s the perfect spot to decompress, stretch your legs, and snap a postcard-worthy photo of the castle from a distance.

Dover Castle - Best Castle in England for Military History

Where: Dover, Kent – about 2 hours southeast of London by train or car
Day Trip From London (also includes Canterbury Cathedral and White Cliffs of Dover)
How long to visit: 4 to 5 hours

Dover Castle has stood guard over the English Channel for more than eight centuries and is often referred to as the “Key to England.” Its location on the famous White Cliffs made it a critical defensive stronghold through Roman times, medieval wars, and even World War II. It’s not just a castle – it’s a multi-layered timeline of British history.

Inside, you can explore the Great Tower, a beautifully recreated medieval palace built under the rule of Henry II. There are costumed guides, immersive exhibits, and panoramic views from the top that give you a real sense of the castle’s strategic importance. Below ground lies a sprawling network of secret wartime tunnels used during WWII – including an underground hospital and command centre that played a vital role during the Dunkirk evacuation.

The mix of ancient and modern history here is genuinely fascinating, and the audio-visual effects used in the wartime tunnels bring the tension and chaos of the era vividly to life.

Top tip: Walk along the battlements and look across the Channel – on a clear day you can actually see France. It’s a reminder of just how close, and how vulnerable, England has been throughout history.

Warwick Castle – Best Castle in England for Family Entertainment

Where: Warwick, Warwickshire – about 1.5 hours from London or 45 minutes from Birmingham
Admission Ticket (other tours include, Oxford, Stratford Upon Avon and The Cotswolds)
Day Trip From London
How long to visit: 5+ hours

Warwick Castle is where medieval history meets theme park spectacle. Originally built by William the Conqueror in 1068, the castle has been transformed over the centuries into a dramatic, hands-on attraction that’s particularly great for families.

Visitors can explore the original towers and ramparts, step into recreated dungeons (not for the faint of heart), and attend live-action jousts and falconry displays that bring the past thundering to life. The interior rooms have been restored with great attention to detail, including the lavish Great Hall and Victorian drawing rooms.

Despite the modern additions, the historical elements remain front and centre. You can walk through centuries-old kitchens, climb towers once used for defence, and learn about the ambitious Earls of Warwick who were once kingmakers in English politics.

Top tip: Don’t miss the trebuchet demonstration – it’s the largest of its kind in the world and a brilliant show of medieval engineering in action.

Alnwick Castle – Best Castle in England for Harry Potter Fans

Where: Alnwick, Northumberland – just over an hour north of Newcastle by car or train, 2 hours from Edinburgh
Day Trip From Newcastle (includes Warkworth Castle)
Day Trip From Edinburgh (includes Bamburgh Castle)
How long to visit: 3 to 4 hours

Alnwick Castle is still a lived-in family home – the seat of the Dukes of Northumberland for over 700 years – but it also happens to be one of the UK’s most iconic filming locations. Most famously, it served as Hogwarts in the first two Harry Potter films, and yes, broomstick flying lessons are on offer.

Beyond the Hollywood glamour, the castle offers guided tours, exhibitions, and elaborately decorated state rooms that showcase Renaissance art, antique weaponry, and centuries of family history. The grounds also include the beautiful Alnwick Garden next door (worth a visit in its own right), with its dramatic fountains and poison garden.

The mix of real history and modern storytelling makes Alnwick a particularly engaging visit, especially for families and film buffs.

Top tip: Head to the Outer Bailey for the best views of the castle exterior and the surrounding countryside – it’s also the best place to catch the broomstick action.

Leeds Castle – Most Beautiful Moated Castle in England

Where: Near Maidstone, Kent – roughly 1.5 hours southeast of London by car
Admission Ticket
Day Trip From London (includes Canterbury Cathedral, and Cliffs of Dover. Trip from Brighton also available)
How long to visit: 4 to 5 hours

Leeds Castle is possibly the most photogenic castle in England, surrounded by a moat and set within 500 acres of manicured grounds and parkland. Originally a Norman stronghold, it became a royal residence for six medieval queens, and later transformed into a luxurious country estate by Lady Baillie in the 20th century.

The castle interior combines medieval architecture with Art Deco touches, reflecting its long and varied life. You’ll see royal bedchambers, lavish banqueting halls, and the kind of bathrooms you never imagined existed in a castle. Outside, you can explore the maze and grotto, take a punting trip on the moat, or catch one of the regular falconry shows.

It’s one of the most well-rounded visits in this list – romantic, historic, scenic, and surprisingly fun.

Top tip: Visit in spring or early summer to see the grounds in full bloom and enjoy the peacocks showing off across the lawns.

Bamburgh Castle – Best Castle in England for a Coastal View

Where: Bamburgh, Northumberland – on the northeast coast, around 90 minutes from Newcastle
Day Trip From Edinbrugh (includes Alnwick Castle)
Day Trip From Newcastle (includes Lindisfarne)
How long to visit: 2 to 3 hours

Perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the North Sea, Bamburgh Castle is nothing short of cinematic. It has stood watch over the Northumberland coast for over 1,400 years, first as a Celtic fort, then a Norman stronghold, and now a beautifully restored private home open to the public.

The castle offers a fantastic blend of history and drama. You can explore the armoury, royal apartments, and even a collection of aviation artefacts from the First World War. It’s also linked to the famous Victorian industrialist Lord Armstrong, who restored much of the site in the 19th century.

The beach below the castle is one of the best in the country, and the views from the ramparts are some of the finest you’ll find anywhere in England.

Top tip: Walk along the dunes before or after your visit – it’s one of the most atmospheric coastal walks in the country, especially at sunset.

Bodiam Castle – Most Iconic Castle Ruin in Southern England

Where: East Sussex – near Robertsbridge, about 2 hours from London by car
Admission Ticket
How long to visit: 2 hours

If you asked a child to draw a castle, they’d probably sketch Bodiam. With its perfectly square shape, round towers, and wide moat, it’s the textbook example of medieval military architecture. Built in 1385 by a former knight, it was designed to impress as much as defend.

Though the interior is mostly in ruins, there’s still plenty to climb and explore, including spiral staircases, tower views, and the remnants of a great hall. The setting in the Sussex countryside is tranquil and ideal for a relaxed visit.

There’s also a small museum on-site with information about the castle’s construction, ownership, and eventual partial destruction during the English Civil War.

Top tip: Take a picnic and enjoy it by the water’s edge – the views across the moat are unbeatable and it’s one of the few places where sitting still is just as good as exploring.

Tower of London – Most Famous Fortress in England

Where: Central London – on the north bank of the Thames, easily accessed by Tube
Admission Ticket
Day Trip From London (private your with Beefeater meet & greet)
How long to visit: 3 to 4 hours

No list of English castles is complete without the Tower of London. Built by William the Conqueror in 1066, it has served as a royal palace, fortress, prison, zoo, mint, and execution site. It now houses the Crown Jewels and some of the bloodiest stories in British history.

The Yeoman Warder (Beefeater) tours are an absolute highlight, combining comedy, historical knowledge, and just enough gore to make you squirm. You'll hear tales of traitors, spies, and ill-fated queens, including Anne Boleyn, who lost her head here in 1536.

The Crown Jewels exhibit is a sparkling spectacle, and the medieval White Tower still holds armour and weaponry displays fit for any Game of Thrones set.

Top tip: Look out for the ravens - legend says if they ever leave, the kingdom will fall. The Tower even employs a Ravenmaster to keep them well-fed and slightly spoiled.

Arundel Castle – Best Castle in England for a Grand Day Out

Where: West Sussex – about 90 minutes south of London by train or car
Day Trip From London
How long to visit: 3 to 4 hours

Arundel Castle is a dramatic hilltop fortress that offers a rare combination of medieval might and Victorian elegance. It’s been the ancestral seat of the Dukes of Norfolk for over 1,000 years and is still privately owned – though generously open to the public for much of the year.

Inside, expect vaulted ceilings, antique tapestries, and jaw-dropping artwork, while the grounds offer a surprise at every turn – from formal gardens and glasshouses to a working kitchen garden that’s more Chelsea Flower Show than castle courtyard.

The keep offers fantastic views over the River Arun and surrounding countryside, and the seasonal events (especially the jousting and Shakespeare productions) are some of the best castle programming in the country.

Top tip: If you're visiting in April or May, the tulip festival is genuinely impressive – over 80,000 tulips bloom across the grounds, transforming the castle gardens into a riot of colour.

Corfe Castle – Best Castle Ruin in Southern England

Where: Dorset – on the Isle of Purbeck, about 2.5 hours from London
Day Trip From Bournemouth (includes other highlights of the Jurassic Coast)
Day Trip From Weymouth (includes other highlights of the Jurassic Coast)
How long to visit: 2 to 3 hours

Corfe Castle sits like a crown atop a dramatic hill in the Dorset countryside. Built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, it was later destroyed during the English Civil War, leaving behind a beautifully shattered silhouette.

Wander among the ruins and you’ll find old guard towers, crumbling staircases, and views that stretch all the way to the Jurassic Coast. The village of Corfe below is worth exploring too – it’s packed with tea rooms, pubs, and local shops.

If you're feeling extra adventurous, take the heritage steam train from Swanage – it’s a slow, scenic way to arrive in medieval style.

Top tip: Head up to the castle just before sunset – the golden hour lighting makes for some of the best photos you’ll take all year.

Final Thoughts on Visiting the Best Castles in England

Whether you're chasing royal history, windswept ruins, or that perfect turret-and-moat photo, England's castles deliver on drama, scale, and stories. From towering coastal fortresses to opulent palace-residences still used by the monarchy, each one on this list offers a different window into the nation’s past.

If you're short on time, a day trip to Windsor or Dover from London will give you a taste of castle life. But if you're up for a longer adventure, exploring spots like Bamburgh or Alnwick by car will reward you with some of the country’s most unforgettable views.

And this is just the beginning. England is home to hundreds of castles, each with its own secrets to tell. Whether you see one or all ten, you’re guaranteed to come away with a deeper appreciation for the history carved into these ancient stones – and probably a few photos worthy of a medieval Instagram.

Scotland and Wales? We see you. Your castles are coming next.