Castling Across the British Isles

Castles are cool. It’s as simple as that.

They combine striking physicality—massive, foreboding structures of stone towering over the countryside—with an intriguing aura that ignites your imagination as you stroll under the portcullis, across the inner courtyard, and up to the keep, wondering whose notable footsteps you are following or which battle was decided on the very spot you stand.

Seeing one up close is to tangibly connect with history. Not only are you awestruck by the grandeur of the stronghold itself, the manicured estate surrounding it, and the sweeping vistas of its strategic position, but you become immersed in the rich narratives that unfolded on these lands. Kings and queens, knights and squires, princesses and princes, cupbearers and stable sweepers—the medieval milieu was a hotbed of political intrigue, forbidden romances, and power struggles. Often these events come to life right before your eyes, either played out via a reenactment or brilliantly illustrated by a knowledgeable tour guide.

Building a castle was all the rage in the British Isles starting around the 11th century. Across England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, they were constructed to show off the riches of the royalty and nobles, to act as administrative centers, and, most importantly, to provide a solid line of defense against invasions and rebellions. Today, they are epicenters of understanding, the ideal place to get to know a region or county’s layered history.
The following castles are especially enlightening and worthy of a visit during your travels across these ancient islands.

England

With more than a thousand castle sites across England—from the Tower of London, one of the country’s oldest(dating back nearly 1,000 years), to the royal residence of Windsor Castle, to the cinematic Highclere Castle, aka Downton Abbey—you’re never far from one. Yet, a few still stand out.

Northumberland’s Alnwick Castle is one of the finest medieval castles in all of England. A still-inhabited sprawling property gorgeously landscaped in the 18th century by Lancelot “Capability” Brown, the fortress redefined impregnability
with 2-meter-thick walls, a 7-meter-deep moat, and thick oak gates. The defenses worked—the castle successfully repelled the King of Scotland, William the Lion, in both 1173 and 1174. Home to the Percy family for over 700 years, it has proudly served as a military outpost, teaching college, and, more recently, as Hogwarts— featuring prominently in the first two Harry Potter films, among many others.

Dover Castle in Kent is another popular filming location, but that’s not why you should visit. The mighty fortress covers roughly 75 acres, sitting like an imposing stone lion atop a cliff overlooking the English Channel. During a visit, you can watch jousting tournaments; journey through underground tunnels where Operation Dynamo, the rescue of Allied troops from Dunkirk in World War II, was planned; and ascend the Great Tower to discover the pomp and pageantry of King
Henry II’s court and the jaw-dropping 360-degree views of the grounds.

Castles are not just for history buffs. Leeds Castle, also in Kent, a mere 42-minute drive away, counts “historic charm” as just one of its attractions. Guests can also stroll by works of art on the Sculpture Trail, catch a free falconry display, see five centuries of customized canine jewelry at The Dog Collar Museum, test their putting skills at Leeds Castle Adventure Golf, or get lost in the massive hedge maze.

Scotland

England’s northern neighbor was seemingly tailor-made for castles. You could drop one practically anywhere among its verdant plains, rolling highlands, deep-blue lochs, and enchanting forests, and it would be ideally set, an architectural focal point to appreciate the surrounding natural beauty. And yet, the country’s most prominent castle is in a city, the capital no less.

Looming over Edinburgh atop Castle Rock, Edinburgh Castle has since the 12th century been a fortress, prison, royal residence, and, most recently, home to the Honours, the Crown Jewels of Scotland. The castle has many scars and stories—it
was the scene of 23 sieges, making it one of the most contested positions in Europe. Two weapons of war are of particular interest to visitors: Mons Meg, a 6-ton siege gun given to King James II in 1457 as a gift, able to launch a 330-pound stone up to 2 miles; and the watch-setting One o’Clock Gun that fires at that time every day except Sundays.

Other castles do make the most of Scotland’s stunning scenery. The ruined site of Urquhart Castle sits on the shores of Loch Ness, giving you a brilliant spot to spy oddly shaped pieces of wood floating monstrously in the waters below. You can
spot seals from the walls of Dunvegan Castle, home to Clan MacLeod for nigh on 800 years along with its most treasured possession: the magical, battle-swaying flag that was either given to the clan by Crusaders or fairies, depending on which
story you believe.

Wales

Naturally speaking, Wales is stunning, thanks to its deep valleys, craggy mountains, and dramatic coastline of jagged cliffs and sandy dunes. The best part is the littering, as in, lords and kings littered the landscape with over 600 Celtic forts, Roman ruins, and Norman castles. Many of those structures were constructed piecemeal over centuries. But not Conwy Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site in North Wales. Both the fortress itself, including its eight massive round towers, and the surrounding 1,400-yard-long wall were constructed in a hasty four years between 1283 and 1287. After touring the interior, home to the most intact set of medieval royal apartments in Wales, you can walk completely around the battlements, taking in the rough-hewn mountains of Snowdonia in the distance and the narrow streets of Conwy below.

The largest castle in Wales, and the second-largest in Britain only to Windsor, is Caerphilly Castle near Cardiff. When viewed from overhead, it’s easy to see how difficult the sprawling fort was to storm. The castle is surrounded by artificial lakes, which one historian called “the most elaborate water defenses in all Britain.” To give you an idea of how attackers attempted such a battle, four types of siege engine are placed around the castle, all replicas ready to fire.

Ireland

While Wales has more castles per square mile than any other European country, Ireland impresses with its sheer volume. The Emerald Isle ranks third in total number of castles—over 30,000 some say—behind only Italy and France. It would take a lifetime to visit them all, so a better plan is to aim for these two shining examples of Ireland’s castle culture.

Surrounded by the sweeping countryside of County Clare, Bunratty Castle has a fascinating history dating to 1250, though the site can be traced back to 970 as a Viking trading post. Solid enough to withstand a dozen hurricanes, the massive gray-stone structure was built to be imposing, but now it’s attracting visitors by the thousands to tour its grand halls and enjoy a popular medieval feast complete with performance by the Bunratty Castle Singers.

The castle is the centerpiece of Folk Park, a 26-acre wonderland where you can stroll down a recreated village street and experience life in 19th-century Ireland.

That ideal to educate visitors is strong in many castles across the region, particularly Birr Castle Demesne. Along with a regal estate, home to the Parsons family for more than 400 years, with its Gothic-inspired interiors, vaulted ceilings, and stately décor, you’ll also discover a historic center of learning and education. On its 120 acres of parkland and gardens, guests can see the 72-foot-long Great Telescope, aka the Leviathan of Parsonstown, the world’s largest for over 70 years; the Rosse Observatory, run by Trinity College Dublin; and one of the oldest darkrooms in the world.

With its intriguing combination of history and science, the site’s significance can truly be felt as you stroll around the grounds.

That is the essence of every castle you explore across the British Isles—they’re all living memories of a bygone era, igniting our imaginations. They help us visualize the past in a visceral way as we touch ancient stones, smell musty hallways, and peer though narrow arrow slits. They’re inspiring, they’re humbling, and they’re all really cool.