Summary
England is renowned for its remarkable and stunning castles. Given its extensive royal history, which continues to this day, it is hardly surprising that magnificent castles and noble residences can be found throughout the country.
Below, we present a selection of the most notable castles in England:
1. Windsor Castle
We shall commence our list with Windsor Castle, which holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously inhabited castle in the world, and it is also regarded as the largest, covering approximately 5 hectares or 13 acres.
This royal residence located in Berkshire was constructed in the 11th century and required approximately 16 years for its completion. Initially, the castle was designed to safeguard London from western advances; however, it soon evolved into a royal residence, notably due to its strategic location near royal hunting grounds.
The architectural layout comprises two four-sided building complexes, separated by the prominent Round Tower, which is visible from a distance.
Currently, the Queen utilizes the castle both as her weekend retreat and as an official residence for royal functions.
2. Tower of London
One might not typically anticipate a castle amidst a bustling metropolis. Nevertheless, in England, particularly in its capital London, this is indeed feasible. The Tower of London attracts nearly 3 million visitors annually, and although it is infamous for its historical use as a prison, it remains one of the most iconic castles and fortifications in the country.
At the heart of the complex is the White Tower, constructed by William the Conqueror in the 11th century; it currently serves as the primary attraction for tourists visiting the Tower of London.
3. Bodiam Castle
Bodiam Castle represents one of the finest examples of medieval architecture in England, preserving its charming appearance with a moat, circular towers, and a gatehouse entrance featuring twin towers.
Despite its nearly intact exterior, the interior has not endured the passage of time as well, although sufficient remains to convey the castle’s internal layout.
This East Sussex fortress was erected in 1385 by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge, who specifically aimed for its defensive functionality.
4. Highclere Castle
For anyone who has viewed *Downton Abbey*, Highclere Castle will be instantly recognizable. This Victorian estate located in Hampshire, completed in the latter half of the 17th century, ranks among the most exquisite castles in England.
Surrounded by 1,000 acres of landscaped parkland, Highclere Castle has been the ancestral home of the Carnarvon family since its construction. Prior to this, the site belonged to the Bishops of Winchester, and an earlier residence existed where Highclere Castle now stands.
The castle boasts elegant state rooms, including a saloon adorned with leather wall coverings, a formal dining hall, a library, and various drawing, music, and smoking rooms, all decorated with fine artwork and intricate detail.
5. Leeds Castle
Contrary to what the name might imply, Leeds Castle is not situated in Leeds but in Kent. The site has hosted a castle since the 11th century, becoming a favored residence for King Edward I two centuries later. In the 16th century, it also served as a residence for Catherine of Aragon, the first wife of Henry VIII.
The current structure of Leeds Castle dates back to the early 20th century. The previous castle had fallen into disrepair by the late 18th century, leading to the completion of a new castle in the Tudor style in 1823. In 1926, the property was acquired by Anglo-American heiress Olive, Lady Baillie, who oversaw its restoration.
6. Bamburgh Castle
Few individuals would remain unmoved when witnessing Bamburgh Castle, which majestically occupies a volcanic dolerite hill on the northeast coast of Northumberland. This fortress is built atop the remains of an earlier Celtic fort and encompasses nine acres of rocky terrain.
Due to its striking exterior, Bamburgh Castle has appeared in numerous films and television series over the years.
7. Warwick Castle
Another popular castle, appreciated by both locals and tourists, is Warwick Castle in Warwickshire. Initially constructed as a motte-and-bailey fortress following the Norman Conquest, it was reconstructed in stone during the 12th century.
Situated along a bend of the River Avon, Warwick Castle features a dry moat on its northern perimeter, as this side lacks natural river protection. In the 14th century, additional defensive structures were incorporated, including a gatehouse, Caesar’s Tower, Guy’s Tower, and a barbican.
8. Arundel Castle
The West Sussex fortress of Arundel dates back to the 11th century, although, akin to many other English castles, substantial portions were entirely renovated in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Arundel Castle was one of the constructions erected by William the Conqueror.
During the English Civil War, the castle sustained significant damage, and a new folly overlooking Swanbourne Lake was constructed in the 18th century.
Notably, Arundel Castle was one of the first English fortifications to benefit from central heating, electricity, and elevators.
9. Framlingham Castle
Set within picturesque estates and parkland, Framlingham Castle is a late 12th-century structure established by Roger Bigod, Earl of Norfolk. It served as residence for the dukes of Norfolk for over 400 years.
Framlingham Castle exemplifies medieval architectural design. It overlooks the River Ore and is divided into three segments. Encircled by a mere and agricultural land, the castle consists of an Inner Court, Lower Court, and a Bailey.
The Inner Court showcases carved chimneys, only three of which are functional; the rest are ornamental and date back to the Tudor era.
This castle is considered quite advanced for its time regarding military defenses.
10. Alnwick Castle
Situated in Northumberland County, Alnwick Castle was constructed following the Norman Conquest and is recognized as one of the initial castles in England built without a square keep. The structure is separated from the town by a deep ravine on one side and is bordered by the River Aln on the other.
The castle comprises two sections: the inner ring, which contains principal rooms, and an additional section constructed later for added accommodation. These components are interconnected by a linking structure. The outer bailey features towers placed at regular intervals.
With its striking aesthetic appeal, it has become a popular filming site for various movies and series. Notably, it was featured in the first two *Harry Potter* films, where the Outer Bailey served as the location where Harry and his classmates learned to fly, while the inner courtyards represented Hogwarts School.
11. Bolsover Castle
Bolsover Castle is located in central England, in Derbyshire. This early 17th-century castle, commissioned by the Cavendish family, was erected on the remnants of a previous medieval fortress. It is famed for its somewhat enigmatic characteristics and was voted the spookiest English Heritage site in 2017.
Perched on a ridge above the Vale of Scarsdale, Bolsover Castle was designed primarily as a comfortable dwelling rather than a defensive fortification, despite its imposing appearance.
The primary structure of interest is known as the Little Castle, an impressive square building commanding the site, adorned with beautiful wall paintings and sumptuous interiors.
12. Dover Castle
Dover Castle is situated atop a hill, commanding a view over the azure waters of the English Channel. Its historical significance is underscored by its strategic location.
The present castle was constructed under Henry II, with construction commencing in 1180. Over the centuries, the site and its structures have undergone various transformations to adapt to military requirements. The castle walls attain thicknesses of up to 21 feet, ensuring their defensive capabilities.
Throughout its storied existence, the castle has withstood two sieges and has been pivotal during both World Wars, again owing to its strategic position overseeing the passage to mainland Europe.
13. Rochester Castle
Rochester Castle boasts one of the best-preserved stone towers in England and France. This 12th-century Norman keep is the central feature of the castle. Regrettably, only the walls of the keep remain intact, as the floors and roof have not survived.
The construction of this castle was initiated in the late 11th century by the Bishop of Rochester, with square towers being added around 40 years later.
It was recognized as a significant stronghold during the rebellion against King John.
14. Durham Castle
Durham Castle, situated in the north of England, is one of the few castles currently occupied by a university. Perched on a hill overlooking the River Wear, it exemplifies the motte-and-bailey design characteristic of Norman architecture.
Until the 15th century, the Great Hall within this castle was the largest such hall in any British castle.
Durham Castle played a crucial role in controlling the Scottish border as well as managing English rebellions.
15. Herstmonceux Castle
Herstmonceux Castle is distinguished by its unique red brick architecture that harmoniously integrates with the surrounding landscape, complete with a moat and dense woodland. Initially constructed as a manor house in the 15th century, it underwent significant renovations using red brick—a relatively rare and luxurious material for the period.
The extensive castle grounds and gardens encompass over 600 acres of woodland.
In contemporary times, the castle is home to Queen’s University in Canada and serves as its international study center.
