Discover Castles in britain

Britain is scattered with castles, each with a story to tell.
Come and explore them.


Discover Castles will take you on a fascinating journey to some of the most outstanding castles in England, Scotland and Wales.

From mighty medieval fortresses to captivating ruins hidden in the countryside, Britain’s castles offer unforgettable experiences for visitors of all ages.

Many castles feature interactive exhibitions, scenic walks, gardens, jousting events and bird of prey shows that make history come alive for adults and children alike.

If you are visiting Britain for the first time or rediscovering its heritage closer to home, Discover Castles invites you to step back in time and begin your own castle adventure.

Do you have a favourite castle ?


How many castles?


William the Conqueror brought castles to Britain when he invaded England in 1066. After his victory he ordered the construction of very simple castles, called Motte and Bailey castles. They were just earthen mounds, topped by a tower.

Later, stone castles were built, as they were much more sturdy and offered protection to withstand attacks by enemies.

Over the centuries, much more elaborate castles were constructed, used by the kings, and also by the kings most loyal subjects, like knights and barons, who fought in battle and supported their king.

By the 15th century castles were no longer useful as a place of defence and emphasis was given to more comfortable living conditions. By 1650, with the development of firearms and gunpowder, the great castles had outlived their purpose and fell into decline.

How many castles are there in England, Scotland and Wales?

It is hard to imagine but from the time of the Norman conquest there were once over 4000 castles in England alone. Hundreds of castles have since been destroyed or have fallen into disrepair and are now just ruins. To date there may be around 300 castles scattered along the UK coastline and countryside that are worth visiting.

Wales is often called " The Land of Castles " and had over 600 of them. Some have been beautifully restored and others are still standing as ruins, often in commanding positions.

Nobody really know for sure how many castles there are in Scotland, estimates range from 2000 to 4000 castles. In reality a lot of these castles are no longer visible as their remains have faded into history but there are plenty that have stood the test of time.

Let us visit the most famous, most picturesque and most notorious of them all.




save money on castle visits

England, Scotland and Wales are full of medieval castles, ancient fortifications and castle ruins.

Various Heritage Organisations help protect and care for these unique historic buildings and landscapes and organize special castle events throughout the year.


national_trust_thumb.jpg

The National Trust, Europe’s largest conservation charity, cares for hundreds of historic houses and gardens and miles of coastline and countryside.


english_heritage.jpg

English Heritage, as a registered charity, also manages over 400 historic sites and monuments across England. As a member you get free admission to English Heritage properties plus discounted admission to Historic Scotland and Cawd properties in Scotland and Wales.


cadw

Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service, cares for over 130 historic sites, protecting and preserving the places that tell the story of Wales — from dramatic medieval fortresses to ancient ruins and historic landscapes.


historic_scotland

Historic Scotland is a charitable organization that looks after Scotland's heritage. It cares for over 300 historic sites, including Edinburgh Castle, is heavily involved in conservation and looks after extensive archives of Scotland's past.


It’s well worth becoming a member to one of the above organisations. Benefits include free admission to hundreds of properties and free or reduced price admission to special events held throughout the year.



Step back in time

A castle was a fortress and a home for its Lords and Ladies, Knights, Soldiers and Servants.

In times of conflict and siege these fortresses were dangerous places, but castles were also full of ceremony and pomp and entertainment.

Many British castles have a dark past, with tales of spooky sightings and mysterious occurrences. Look out for haunted castles steeped in legend.


CASTLE LIFE

HAUNTED CASTLES

CASTLE  RUINS

Let’s start our castle adventure...