33 Beautiful Castles to Visit in England (In Pictures)

by Shabana Adam | 25 March 2013

Arundel Castle

They don't all have the word castle in their name and some are just ruins of a distant past, but England's castle structures are some of the most awe-inspiring in the world.

Here, we've picked 33 castles that you should visit on your trip to the English shores. 

Arundel Castle, West Sussex

Restored medieval castle founded by Roger de Montgomery on Christmas Day 1067. It is the seat of The Dukes of Norfolk and set in 40 acres of sweeping grounds and gardens.

Warkworth Castle, Northumberland

Ruined medieval building with a magnificent cross-shaped keep crowning a hilltop in the town of Warkworth. The town and castle occupy a loop of the River Coquet, less than a mile from England's north-east coast.

Rochester Castle, Kent

A 12th-century keep in Kent, South East England, which boasts one of the best preserved stone towers in England. 

Windsor Castle, Windsor

The 11th-century castle is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world and the official residence of Her Majesty The Queen, in England.

Mow Cop Castle, Staffordshire

A folly at Mow Cop near Harriseahead, Staffordshire, there are traces of prehistoric camp that have been found here and the area is great for walking tours. 

Carlisle Castle, Cumbria

A 900-year-old fortress with a rich and meaningful historical past as an important Roman site. Close to Hadrian's Wall, today the castle houses exhibitions and has guided tours.

Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire

Surrounded by beautiful gardens, Belvoir Castle is a Grade I listed stately home in the English county of Leicestershire, overlooking the Vale of Belvoir. 

Warwick Castle, Warwickshire

A medieval stronghold developed from an original built by William the Conqueror in 1068, Warwick Castle is set against the backdrop of stunning scenery and the winding River Avon. 

Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland

A Grade I listed building, this castle sits on a basalt outcrop overlooking the Farne Islands and Lindisfarne and is home to the Bamburgh Castle Aviation Artefacts Museum. 

Tower of London, Central London

Home to the Crown Jewels, Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames. In 1078, William the Conqueror built The White Tower, which gives the entire castle its name.

Dover Castle, Kent

Dubbed the "Key to England" because of its defensive importance throughout history, Dover Castle is a must-see 12th-century medieval structure in Kent. 

Bodiam Castle, East Sussex

A stunning 14th-century moated fortress near Robertsbridge, Bodiam Castle was built in 1385 by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge, a former knight of Edward III to defend the area against French invasion. 

Sudeley Castle, Gloucestershire

A stately home in the heart of the Cotswolds with gorgeous gardens to marvel. The present structure was built in the 15th century and may have been on the site of a 12th-century castle. 

Corfe Castle, Dorset

Built by William the Conqueror and dating back to the 11th century, today, Corfe Castle is a fortification standing at the gateway to the Isle of Purbeck. Saxons and Vikings re-enactments are held in the area too. 

Highclere Castle, West Berkshire

Featured in the hit TV drama Downton Abbey, Highclere Castle is a wonderful 1,000-acre country house in the Jacobethan style, that has been home to the Carnarvon family since 1679. 

Alnwick Castle, Northumberland

Discover sumptuous State Rooms, the medieval Knight's Quest arena, dragons and magic at the residence of the Duke of Northumberland, which was built following the Norman conquest. 

Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire

One of the UK's most historic houses, the monumental Blenheim Palace is the residence of the dukes of Marlborough. It is the only non-royal non-episcopal country house in England to hold the title of palace.

St Mawes Castle, Cornwall

The castle is among the best-preserved of Henry VIII's coastal artillery fortresses, built as part of a defensive chain of keeps to protect the south coast of Cornwall. Towers, turrets and elabaorate decor can be found here. 

Stokesay Castle, Shropshire

One of the finest 13th-century fortified manor houses in England, Stokesay Castle is a historic icon located a mile south of the town of Craven Arms, in southern Shropshire.

Portchester Castle, Hampshire

A medieval castle built within a former Roman fort at Portchester to the east of Fareham. The Romans built a naval base here in the third century to guard against attack.

Lewes Castle, East Sussex

Norman Castle standing at the highest point in Lewes, on an artificial mound constructed with chalk blocks, at the heart of the South Downs National Park. It was originally called Bray Castle.

Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire

Constructed from Norman through to Tudor times, the castle was the subject of the six-month long Siege of Kenilworth in 1266, and formed a base for Lancastrian operations in the War of the Roses. 

Colchester Castle, Essex

An example of a largely complete Norman castle which is a Grade I listed building. At one and a half times the size of the Tower of London's White Tower, Colchester's keep is the largest ever built in Britain and the largest surviving example in Europe.

Durham Castle, Durham

Standing on top of a hill above the River Wear on Durham's peninsula, opposite Durham Cathedral, this Norman castle is home to over 100 students and is used by University College, Durham.

Oxburgh Hall, Norfolk

A 15th-century moated manor house with great gardens and woodland walks, Oxburgh Hall was built around 1482 by Sir Edmund Bedingfeld.

Barnard Castle, County Durham

A ruined medieval castle situated in the town of the same name. It is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, and was designated as a Grade I listed building in 1950.

Herstmonceux Castle, East Sussex

A perfect combination of the history of Medieval England and the romance of the Renaissance era, this brick-built Tudor castle is renowned for its magnificent 600 acres of beautiful parkland and Elizabethan gardens.

Leeds Castle, Kent

Set on two islands on the River Len, in the heart of Kent, Leeds Castle has been fortified for more than 900 years. It has been used by many monarchs as including King Edward I and Henry VIII used it as a residence for his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. 

St Michaels Mount

Seeped in legend, myth and incredible history, St Michael's Mount is a tidal island 366 metres off the Mount's Bay coast of Cornwall. It is also the home of the St Aubyn family.

Raby Castle, County Durham

Medieval castle, Built in the mid 14th century on the site of an earlier fortified manor house, this medieval castle, near Staindrop in County Durham, sits in a 200-acre deer park. It was built by John Neville, 3rd Baron Neville de Raby.  

Whitby Abbey, North Yorkshire

Set on a headland high over the popular North Yorkshire seaside town, Whitby Abbey is a ruined Benedictine abbey overlooking the North Sea on the East Cliff above Whitby.

Hever Castle, Kent

Located in the village of Hever, the castle, with its enchanting double-moated fortress and 125-acre gardens - began as a country house, built in the 13th century. From 1462 to 1539 it was the seat of the Boleyn, originally 'Bullen', family.

Belsay Hall, Northumberland

Belsay Hall is a 19th century country mansion and a Grade I listed building. Here you can explor the ruined medieval castle and its great room as well as taking in the stunning views from the top of the tower.

Which is your favourite? Have we missed any that you have visited? Tell us in the comments below or tweet us @FemaleFirst_UK

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by Shabana Adam for www.femalefirst.co.uk
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