Best British Castles

British Culture: Britain's Best Castles

Best British Castles

Daniel Allen

Leeds Castle, outside Canterbury, UK. — The lake at Leeds Castle

According to the well known English idiom, an Englishman's home is his castle. While few Englishmen, or indeed Scotsmen, could ever afford to live in a real castle, the isles of Britain are still dotted with hundreds of these impressive structures, many of which make for a great day out.

The ancient castles that are scattered across the length and breadth of Britain are testaments to the country's colourful past. Some have crumbled in time, leaving ruins ready to be explored.

Others dominate the skyline as proudly as when they were first built. Many have witnessed some of the most significant events in British history, from monumental invasion through to the bloodiest of battles.

Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. — Edinburgh Castle

History of Castles in Britain

Since the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066, around 5000 castles have been constructed throughout Britain. When William the Conqueror first arrived in England, very few castles existed.

However, by the end of his reign, the motte and bailey castle had become a symbol of Norman domination. The early castles were mainly constructed from wood, notably oak, but many of these were later rebuilt in local stone.

Castles were built for two reasons - to provide shelter and to defend the occupants. Unlike other buildings, no standard model exists for a castle - each was as individual as its owner. However, the layout was usually dependent on cost, domestic needs and local materials available.

Most castles included a keep - or great tower - and a fortified enclosure. During medieval times the stone castle was virtually impregnable to attack. However, with the advent of the cannon, many English castles were destroyed during the English Civil War (1642-1651 CE).

Here are some of Britain's impressive and iconic castles.

Dover Castle, Kent

Dover Castle, known as the guardian of the "Gateway to England" is a well-preserved castle standing atop the White Cliffs above the port of Dover in Kent.

Dover Castle is a giant structure that was built by the Normans in 1168 during Henry II's reign (1154-1189 CE), but the site has been of strategic importance since long before that.

The Romans had constructed a lighthouse in Dover and there is also a church in the town dating from Saxon times.

The interior of the keep of Dover Castle includes a museum and their are fine views from the battlements even as far as France on a clear day.

Leeds Castle, Kent

One of Britain's most picturesque castles, Leeds Castle is famous for its wide, glittering lake and 500 acres of beautifully manicured parkland. As early as the middle eighth century there was a manor house situated here, owned by the Saxon royal family. Following the Norman conquest in 1066, Norman barons built strong fortresses in Kent (positioned on the vital route from London to France), and in 1119 a stone castle was first built here.

Leeds Castle was a renowned royal residence from the time of Henry VIII (reigned from 1509 to 1547 CE), who spent large sums of money refurbishing and remodelling the buildings. Visitors to Leeds Castle may be surprised to know that it once served as a prison and that the gatehouse holds a small dog collar museum. The grounds have both an aviary and a maze.

The Horseshoe Cloister at Windsor Castle, England, UK. — The Horseshoe Cloister at Windsor Castle dates from 1480 and was reconstructed in the 19th century

Windsor Castle, Berkshire

The oldest continuously occupied castle in the world and the Queen's (now King's) official residence, Windsor Castle's rich regal history spans almost 1000 years. Used as a royal residence since the time of Henry I (1068-1135 CE), Windsor Castle in Windsor covers 13 acres with more than 1,000 rooms, making it also the world's largest occupied castle.

The superb state apartments contain treasures from the Royal Collection including various historic arms and armour, as well as famous artworks by Rubens, Rembrandt and Gainsborough. Windsor Castle is an easy day-trip for visitors from London.

Bodiam Castle, Kent

Bodiam Castle looks almost too romantic to be true. Nine miles north of Hastings, Bodiam Castle, was begun in 1385 by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge to protect the area from possible French raids.

Built on a square plan with rounded turrets at the corners and a moat, Bodiam was a state of the art defensive structure when completed but was rendered uninhabitable by Parliamentary forces during the English Civil War.

Largely neglected since, the castle was partially restored by Lord Curzon, a former Viceroy of India. Bodiam Castle passed to the National Trust on Curzon's death in 1925.

Dunstanburgh Castle, Northumberland

Perched high on a cliff near the fishing village of Craster in Northumberland, Dunstanburgh Castle is now largely ruined. Dating back to the fourteenth century, Dunstanburgh Castle was protected by cliffs and the sea.

Dunstanburgh Castle was first built by Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, an important baron in the 14th century with later modifications by John of Gaunt. Damaged during the War of the Roses, Dunstanburgh gradually fell into disrepair and decay.

Dunstanburgh makes for a mysterious sight as you walk from either of the villages of Craster or Embleton.

Carisbrooke Castle, Isle of Wight

At one time the capital of the Isle of Wight, Carisbrooke - no larger than a village itself - boasts a fine medieval castle. Carisbrooke Castle is well-known as the royal prison of Charles I, and the story of his aborted escape - which ended rather ignominiously between two window bars - has fascinated many visitors.

The original motte and bailey castle was laid out in the eleventh century, and the polygonal keep was added in the first half of the twelfth century, built on an artificial mound. One of the highlights of Carisbrooke is the much restored thirteenth century chapel, commissioned by Countess Isabella de Forz (1237 - 1293 CE), who was once the owner of the Isle of Wight.

Edinburgh Castle, Lothian

Like a vigilant guardian, the impressive fortress of Edinburgh Castle sits above the city of Edinburgh on an extinct volcano. Originally built in 1130 CE by King David I, the Castle represents over 800 years of Scottish history and is a World Heritage site.

All visitors can take a free guided tour around the palace where they can see the Great Hall built in 1511 CE and the state rooms where Queen Marie de Guise died in 1560 CE and her daughter Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to James VI six years later.

Caernarfon Castle, North Wales

Of the four castles in northern Wales built by order of Edward I (1239-1307 CE), Caernarfon Castle is the most spectacular. The power and magnificence of Caernarfon Castle shows Edward's determination to stamp his authority on Wales. Building work commenced in 1283 CE and continued for 50 years.

Caernarfon Castle looks down on the modern town from its location on the banks of the River Seiont. It was here that Prince Charles, the heir to the throne was invested as the Prince of Wales in 1969.

Eilean Donan Castle, Scottish Highlands, Scotland, UK. — Eilean Donan Castle, Scottish Highlands, Scotland

Eilean Donan Castle, Western Scottish Highlands

The romantic Eilean Donan graces a thousand postcards and is famous all round the world. Probably the most photographed castle in Britain, Eilean Donan is located on a small island in Loch Duich in the Scottish Highlands.

Reached by a narrow spit of land, Eilean Donan Castle was besieged on several occasions. There are fine furnishings in the interior, but Eilean Donan's fabulous location is the main draw.

Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire

Kenilworth Castle is best known as the scene of a royal romance between Elizabeth I (1533-1603 CE) and her favourite courtier Robert Dudley, the 1st Earl of Leicester. Made famous by Sir Walter Scott in his nineteenth century novel, Kenilworth, the castle is one of the most picturesque ruined structures in England and the largest ruined castle.

Located in the pleasant countryside of Warwickshire, Kenilworth was built by the Normans half a century after their invasion with work continuing on the castle up to Tudor times. Kenilworth was heavily damaged by Cromwell's forces in the English Civil War and has been a partial ruin ever since. Still remaining from Dudley's time are the Tudor gatehouse and stables.

Corfe Castle

Corfe Castle has a long history. It dates back to the 11th century and William the Conqueror ordered its construction. The castle thereafter was subsequently remodelled in the 12th and 13th centuries. Queen Elizabeth I sold the castle into private hands in the 16th century. The fortress was twice besieged during the English Civil War and was slighted thereafter. The National Trust now administers the mostly-ruined castle and it is open to the public.