Map of Castles in Britain

Castles in the UK Map

Harlech Castle, Wales, UK — Harlech Castle, Wales

Colchester Castle, Colchester, UK. — Colchester Castle now houses an informative museum

An "English person's home is their castle," goes the saying. And castles are very much at home in England and the rest of Britain. These stone edifices form an almost natural-looking part of the landscape, seeming even more at one with Britain's natural surrounds when in a glorious state of ruin.

The Norman invasion of Britain in the 11th century triggered a wave of castle building, as the invaders entrenched themselves and further extended their control. Some were royal castles, designed to exert and retain a hold on settlements and natural resources, especially forests; others were baronial castles, for maintaining control of sprawling estates.

By the 15th century, most castles had outlived their original defensive purpose, and became lavish mansions for the heirs of their builders. British castles briefly reverted to their role as fortresses in the tumult of mid-17th century Britain, when the country briefly became a republic; but they then went into sustained decline, especially during the 19th century.

Castles in the UK are now protected by law from being altered or destroyed. British castles now form a major tourist attraction, serving no longer as a hub for invaders but a draw for visitors.

Use this map of British castles to learn more about and access an outstanding selection of the United Kingdom's most prominent relics of its history, as well as romantic and sublime examples of its bygone architecture.