England’s Grand Ancient Castles (with history!)
England is a very ancient land, so has more than its fair share of castles.
Corfe Castle (Dorset) is a 1000-year old ruin in Dorset, with a gruesome history. In 978, the teenage King Edward was stabbed to death at the gatehouse on orders of his stepmother, so she could place her own son on the throne. It’s now owned by the National Trust.
Who has the most castles? Northumberland!
Northumberland has more castles than anywhere else in England. Bamburgh Castle was once lived in by kings, who ruled over this county. Today it’s said to be the most haunted of castles! It has a stunning location overlooking the wide sandy beaches near the Farne Islands.
It’s also home to large seabirds called Fulmars, who for hundreds of years have nested on the battlements. Now protected by law, staff often rescue chicks who land on the roofs, unable to take off again.
Nearby is the town of Seahouses, which is where you can look out towards The Farne Island, home to thousands of puffins, seals and seabirds. The town did not exist, until the harbour was built.
Beyond that is Beadnell, a very pretty village by the sea, with sandy beaches and a unique west-facing harbour. It was originally two medieval hamlets, that grew into one single village.
Alnwich Castle is one of the oldest inhabited castles (often called ‘the Windsor Castle of the North). If you like your period dramas, you’ll recognise the sumptuous Italianate rooms being used for filming episodes of Downton Abbey.
Lindisfarne Castle is located on Holy Island, where hermit saints like St Cuthbert used to live. Today the many tourists with cars are reminded to look at tide times, so not to be cut off at high tide, due to the causeway.
Always follow the Countryside Code to keep all creatures safe. Keep dogs away from steep banks, mushrooms (and toxic plants/trees) and on leads near birds, barnyard friends and wild ponies.
If at the coast, keep away from nesting birds and never walk on sand dunes. Learn how to keep dogs safe by the seaside (check beach bans before travel).
The Fairytale Castles of Kent
Leeds Castle sits in a broad moat, with water reflecting walls and windows like a mirror. It can feel more like a palace in parts, because the interiors aim for elegance as much as defence. Outside, the grounds are a big part of the appeal.
Hever Castle is smaller and cosier, with strong Tudor links that give it a courtly edge. The rooms feel closer, and you get a clearer sense of how people moved through a household. Includes beautiful gardens and a lake.
Dover Castle sits high on the white cliffs, facing the Channel like a guard on night duty.
Wray Castle (a gothic castle in the Lake District)
Wray Castle (Cumbria) is a Gothic castle owned by the National Trust, sitting above Lake Windermere. Originally built for a retired surgeon from Liverpool, a descendent (who became the local vicar) decided to hand it over to the Trust, so it could be enjoyed by others, and preserved.
One local teenage visitor was the writer Beatrix Potter, who was so enamoured by the place that she bought a local house (Hill Top) with royalties from her first book, The Tale of Peter Rabbit. Following suit, when she died, she left thousands of acres to the National Trust.
