Top 10 castles

Wars, ghosts, royal skullduggery - the castles we look after have seen them all. Hunt for bats in the battlements and meet an unkindness of psychic ravens in our must-see castles.

A view across the moat to Bodiam Castle with summer flags on the bridge — Explore beautiful Bodiam Castle

Bodiam Castle East Sussex

Bodiam Castle, East Sussex

With its full moat, spiral staircases, battlements and original wooden portcullis, a visit to Bodiam Castle makes it all too easy to imagine you’re back in the 14th century. Enough of the interior ruins survive to give an impression of castle life, and you may even encounter some colourful characters from the past who will tell you tales about Bodiam’s history.

Explore a picture-perfect castle

A view of Dartmoor fromm Castle Drogo — Castle Drogo is currently undergoing a 6 year project to make it watertight.

Castle Drogo Devon

Castle Drogo, Devon

The imposing Castle Drogo is often shrouded by atmospheric moorland fog but also, at the moment, by scaffolding. This 20th-century Lutyens masterpiece was the last castle to be built in Britain, and we're now nearing the end of a six-year conservation project to make the building watertight. The inside of the castle has been completely redisplayed with theatrical installations and a chance to get up close to the building work by climbing up the project viewing tower. Once you’re done exploring inside, why not explore the gardens or follow the winding paths down into the sheltered Teign Valley?

Discover a moorland masterpiece

Close view of the north face of Chirk Castle, Wales — The north-east face of Chirk Castle

Chirk Castle Wrexham

Chirk Castle, Wrexham

Chirk was built in the early 1300s as a stark symbol of Edward I’s power - intended to subdue the unruly lords of the Welsh Marches. During its 700 year history the many inhabitants of Chirk have all left their mark – from the medieval tower and dungeon, to the 17th-century Long Gallery, grand 18th-century state apartments, and 1920s Bow Room. If you want to explore further then why not take a stroll through the gardens, or head out into the 480-acre parkland?

Discover castle life through the ages

Christmas illuminations at Corfe Castle — Corfe Castle as you've never seen it before

Corfe Castle Dorset

Corfe Castle, Dorset

It’s hard to miss the dramatic ruins of Corfe Castle, perched high on the hill above the sleepy Dorset village to which it has given its name. There’s a long and dramatic history surrounding the castle – from its beginnings as a Norman stronghold to being besieged during the Civil War. It’s continued to inspire people ever since - the ruins, which are thought to have been Enid Blyton’s inspiration for Kirrin Castle in the ‘Famous Five’ novels. Follow the trail out of the village and see if you can imagine 18th-century smugglers hauling contraband across Corfe Common on their way from the Purbeck coast to London.

Uncover Corfe's turbulent past

Looking across the rocks to Dunstanburgh Castle — Have you tried hunting for ghosts at our places?

Dunstanburgh Castle Northumberland

Dunstanburgh Castle, Northumberland

These days more ruin than castle, Dunstanburgh still dominates one of the most beautiful stretches of the Northumberland coastline. Let your imagination take you back to the Wars of the Roses, when the Castle was the focus of fierce fighting between the Yorkists and Lancastrians. Or if you fancy something a little more peaceful, take a stroll along the shore to the tiny fishing village of Craster to sample the famous local kippers.

Wander around the ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle

Dunster Castle in summer — Explore Dunster village and castle

Dunster Castle Somerset

Dunster Castle, Somerset

The high wooded hill top at Dunster has been home to a castle for more than 1000 years. The current building was re-modelled into a comfortable family home for the Luttrell family in the mid-19th century, but the medieval gatehouse and ruined tower give reminders of Dunster’s turbulent past as a frontier fortress against Celtic and Viking raiders. There are also plenty of ghost stories to discover and secret passages to explore - if you feel brave enough.

Head for the heights at Dunster Castle

A lovely day at Penrhyn Castle — Take a look inside this marvellous 19th-century castle

Penrhyn Castle and Garden Gwynedd

Penrhyn Castle, Gwynedd

Penrhyn might look like a classic Norman castle, but it’s actually a mere 200 years old. It was built for George Hay Dawkins Pennant and his family, who over the years filled the castle with with fascinating items. There's a one-ton slate bed made for Queen Victoria, elaborate carvings, plasterwork and mock-Norman furniture, plus an outstanding collection of paintings. Today you can explore the elaborately decorated rooms, or head outside to wander through the gardens and take in spectacular views of Snowdonia and the North Wales coast.

Explore Penrhyn's fascinating collection

The view across the lake to the South East Front of Sizergh Castle, Cumbria — Explore the ground of Sizergh Castle

Sizergh Cumbria

Sizergh Castle, Cumbria

Looking like the set for a romantic fantasy, this imposing house is at the gateway to the Lake District. It's still home to the Strickland family, so you'll find centuries-old portraits and fine furniture sitting alongside modern family photographs. The 1,600-acre estate includes limestone pasture, orchards and ancient, semi-natural woodland, plus a beautiful garden rich with seasonal blooms.

Visit the gateway to the Lake District

Tattershall Castle sunset — Sunset at Tattershall Castle

Tattershall Castle Lincolnshire

Tattershall Castle, Lincolnshire

Rising proudly from the flat Lincolnshire fens, Tattershall Castle, with its huge Gothic fireplaces and church-like windows, was designed to impress. Built in the 15th century by Lord Ralph Cromwell, Treasurer of England, it was designed to show off his wealth, position and power. Climb the 150 steps from the basement to the battlements and enjoy the magnificent views, then explore the grounds, moats, and the largest parish church in the country.

Clamber to the top of Tattershall Castle

The font of Wray Castle in the summer sun, Ambleside Cumbria — The first sight of Wray Castle is always impressive

Wray Castle Cumbria

Wray Castle, Cumbria

Wray is a mock-Gothic castle sitting on the shores of Lake Windermere, with turrets and towers galore. It was donated to us without any contents, but the empty rooms still provide hints of its grand past and varied history, with plenty of activities for little explorers to get stuck in to. The Peter Rabbit Adventure rooms are the perfect play space for smaller children – themed for Beatrix Potter, who spent her summer holidays at the castle when she was 16. Why not board one of the regular lake cruises from Ambleside to arrive at Wray Castle in style?

See the gothic masterpiece of Wray Castle

More castles and forts to explore