The first things a lot of people think about Great Britain are the royals, and by extension – the palace and castles. From imposing hilltop fortresses, visible from miles around, to stumpy relics of power hidden throughout the countryside, you’ll find castles of all varieties throughout Great Britain, and here’s a list of some of the more popular ones.
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At 900 years old, Windsor Castle is the largest occupied castle and oldest official royal residence in the world. Windsor Castle is much more than a castle; the grounds include several homes, a large church and the royal palace. Situated 20 miles west of London, it is also the weekend home of Queen Elizabeth II.
When you go to Windsor Castle, you may get to witness one of the monarchy’s oldest traditions – the Knights of the Garter – which continues to be honoured at Windsor Castle. With roots in the Middle Ages, the Garter knighthood consists of the monarch, the Prince of Wales (whose title automatically qualifies him as a Knight of the Garter), and 24 knights.
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Located 640 kilometres north of London is one of the most visited cities in Europe – Edinburgh, Scotland. Through sieges, invasions, power struggles, murder and imprisonment, Edinburgh Castle has withstood the test of time.
When you visit Edinburgh Castle, you can see the dungeons used to incarcerate thousands of prisoners over the years. To show the real conditions back then, wax models are positioned throughout the dungeon. Don’t miss the Scottish Crown Jewels (a crown, scepter and sword) and the Stone of Destiny, on which Scottish kings were enthroned for centuries. Visit just before lunchtime and you’ll be here to hear the One O’Clock Gun roaring its daily salute.
At 900 years old, Leeds Castle sits 30 miles from central London. It was the home of Henry the VIII. Leeds Castle has been a Norman stronghold; the private property of six of England’s medieval queens; a palace used by Henry VIII and his first wife Catherine of Aragon; a Jacobean country house; a Georgian mansion; an elegant early 20th century retreat for the influential and famous; and in the 21st century, it has become one of the most visited historic buildings in Britain.
There’s plenty to do at this 900-year-old beauty, surrounded by a glorious moat; get lost in the maze, go for woodland walks, try your hand at falconry and feed the swans. You won’t find yourself doing it alone though – this is one of Great Britain’s most popular castles.
Warwick Castle is known for its beautiful interior and the medieval re-enactments that take place there. Until 25 years ago, generations of Earls of Warwick had resided in the castle. At the turn of the 20th century, Frances, Countess of Warwick, also known as Daisy, was known around England for her lavish, high-society parties. Some of her guests included Winston Churchill; Edward, Prince of Wales; and the future King Edward VII.
The Tussauds Group has filled the interior with flamboyant, family-friendly attractions that bring the castle’s rich history to life. Waxworks populate the private apartments; there are also jousting tournaments, daily trebuchet firings, themed evenings and a dungeon.
Mighty Caernarfon is possibly the most famous of Wales’s castles. Its sheer scale and commanding presence easily set it apart from the rest, and to this day, still trumpet in no uncertain terms the intention of its builder Edward I. Caernarfon Castle was build around 800 years ago, after King Edward I of England conquered North Wales and assumed the title of Prince of Wales. Since that time, the eldest son of the King or Queen of England has been known as the Prince of Wales, the latest of whom to be bestowed the title was Prince Charles.
The castle’s majestic persona is no architectural accident: it was designed to echo the walls of Constantinople, the imperial power of Rome and the dream castle, ‘the fairest that ever man saw’, of Welsh myth and legend. After all these years, Caernarfon’s immense strength remains unchanged.
Start your inspection at the Eagle Tower, the one with the flagpoles to the right of the entrance. On the turrets you can spot the weathered eagle from which it gets its name, alongside stone-helmeted figures intended to swell the garrison’s apparent numbers (they’re easier to spot from the quay). Inside there are displays on Eleanor of Castile and the Welsh ‘Game of Thrones’. There’s a film tracing the history of the site since Roman times in the North East Tower , while in the Queen’s Tower (named after Edward I’s wife Eleanor) is the Regimental Museum of the Royal Welch Fusiliers , filled with medals, uniforms, weapons and historical displays.
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Discover the legend of King Arthur in the dramatic and romantic setting of Tintagel. This iconic hero was first linked to Tintagel in the 12th century, when it was named by Geoffrey of Monmouth as the place where Arthur was conceived. Find out why the allure of Arthur – surfacing in Geoffrey’s medieval history of kings, and the poetry of Alfred, Lord Tennyson – continues to captivate the world when you visit this special place.
Start your exploration of the site at the exhibition which looks Tintagel’s rich and varied past. See artefacts discovered at the site, on display for the first time, as well beautiful book sculptures which illustrate the castle’s literary links. Search for Merlin’s face hidden in the rocks on the beach. On the island, look for the bronze sculpture inspired by the legend of King Arthur and the historic royal figures associated with Tintagel.
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