9 spectacular English castles everyone should visit ... and how to see them for free
English Heritage cares for more strongholds than anyone. And these days, you don't need to lay siege - enjoy free entry with our family passes worth up to £50
England's castles and fortresses are something we should be truly proud of. A feature of the landscape for centuries, we're blessed with hundreds of historic fortifications – many of which remain the focus of their communities. And English Heritages looks after more than anyone. From Norman earthworks to grand royal palaces, ruined to repurposed, with moats, towers and walls (and even the first flushing toilet), they remain a huge part of our national story and a great day out for all the family.
As we team up with English Heritage to offer free family passes worth up to £50 to hundeds of historic locations, here are nine of the most marvellous castles to visit this autumn – without laying siege or opening up your own treasure chest!
TINTAGEL CASTLE, CORNWALL
Centuries of erosion have taken parts of Tintagel Castle into the sea – dividing the jagged headline from the mainland above a natural chasm. Yet it isn’t difficult to imagine just how splendid it was in its prime and Tintagel remains one of the UK’s most spectacular historic sites. No wonder early historian Geoffrey of Monmouth claimed it as the place of King Arthur’s conception. But legend or history, Tintagel was almost certainly home to the rulers of Cornwall from the 5th to 7th century AD. English Heritage’s Curator of History Will Wyeth explains: “Our archaeologists have recently found evidence for Cornish lords who visited the castle in the 5th and 6th centuries and enjoyed feasts of hog roast, local ale and sweet Greek wine.” Today visitors can follow in the footsteps of those early inhabitants, crossing from the mainland via the awe-inspiring footbridge – opened six years ago to recreate the original – and enjoying spectacular views as waves crash on the rocks below. Twice a day, the receding tide at Tintagel reveals a world of rock pools and “Merlin’s Cave” – stretching deep into the cliffside, this dark cove is a treat for youngsters to explore.
KENILWORTH CASTLE, WARWICKSHIRE
Kenilworth Castle’s massive Norman keep dates from the 1120s and the fortress endured one of the longest sieges in medieval English history in 1266 when supporters of Simon de Montfort held out for six months against royalist forces. Will Wyeth says: “We recently found some catapult shot around the castle – the largest weighed 105kg!” In July 1403, Prince Henry – later King Henry V – was saved at the castle after he was struck in the face by an arrow at the Battle of Shrewsbury. The prince was taken to Kenilworth Castle, the arrowhead lodged in the back of his skull, where surgeon John Bradmore, operating over 30 days, saved him from a horrible death. “He was millimetres from dying on the spot and the operation to save him was just as dicey,” explains historian Dan Jones. “Really, he should never have lived. If you believe in miracles, and in the Middle Ages people did, this is as close to one as you’re going to get.” But Kenilworth’s greatest period began when Elizabeth I’s childhood friend, Robert Dudley, took possession in 1563. He spent fortunes turning it into a showpiece mansion to impress the queen – whose 19-day visit 450 years ago in July 1575 has inspired a brilliant new art installation at the castle, on display until November 2. Today you can still climb up to the queen’s apartments for fantastic views over the surrounding countryside. Play hide and seek around the ruins and discover the aviary in the garden – a perfect replica of the one created by Dudley for his queen.
DOVER CASTLE, KENT
England’s mightiest castle has been known as the “key to England” since the 11th century – the chalk of Castle Hill shaped and reshaped over the centuries into earthworks, ditches and tunnels, with imposing walls and towers raised above. Henry II began building the present castle in the 1180s and its defences have been adapted to meet the changing demands of weapons and warfare ever since. From 1179 to 1188, the king spent over £6,500 on the castle, an enormous sum considering that his annual revenue was likely around £10,000. Since then, it’s survived sieges and takeovers and remains one of Britain’s largest castles. During the Second World War, it was used as an air-raid shelter, hospital and then, in May 1940, the HQ for Operation Dynamo, the Dunkirk evacuation under the command of Vice Admiral Bertram Ramsay. Beneath the fortress a network of tunnels deep within the cliffs became the nerve centre controlling the evacuation. Today, families can explore them, while youngsters can enjoy the siege warfare play area and test their skills as they squeeze through tunnels, scale walls and fire the mighty trebuchet.
CLIFFORD’S TOWER, YORK
The oldest surviving part of York Castle, northern England’s greatest medieval fortress, Clifford’s Tower contains something of a technological marvel that helped change the world for the better. Will Wyeth says: “This has the world’s first ever flushing toilet, built for Henry III in the mid-13th century, which visitors can now see for the first time in 400 years.” The tower’s crowning glory is its timber roof platform, giving access to 360-degree panoramas over the stunning city of York and further afield. Take a seat on one of the audio benches and listen to dramatic stories about the 1069 uprising against the Normans, the efforts to repair the tower during the reign of Richard III and a destructive explosion that seriously damaged the castle and tower in the 17th century. As you make your way around the tower, you’ll be immersed in the sounds of the past. Be transported to a busy 14th-century kitchen, listen to medieval gossip and hear the destruction of the Norman wooden keep.
BOLSOVER CASTLE, DERBYSHIRE
Boasting spectacular views over Derbyshire, this fairytale Stuart mansion was designed to impress – and it still does. The original medieval castle was constructed in the 12th century on the site of an ancient burial ground but has been much adapted and added to over the centuries. Start your tour in the Riding House – built in the 17th century by “horse-mad” playboy, poet and courtier William Cavendish, regarded as the father of modern dressage – then check out the wall walks, romantic ruined terrace and extensive grounds. A circular wall runs around the fountain gardens, giving you great views for a game of I-spy. In Bolsover’s Little Castle – created with medieval-style turrets and towers as an extravagant retreat – open up the 17th-century-style interactive cabinets to discover Bolsover’s secrets. There are no ropes or barriers inside the Little Castle; all of the reproduction furniture here can be touched, sat on and enjoyed.
PENDENNIS CASTLE, FALMOUTH, CORNWALL
The westernmost of Henry VIII’s “device” forts – a series of structures built to defend the coast of England and Wales with artillery – the Tudor gun tower at Pendennis was ingeniously designed, with smoke vents above the gun ports and a supply of water for its large kitchen provided by a rainwater-capture cistern. Climb to the top of the Tudor keep for stunning views over the Fal Estuary and Falmouth Bay. Or follow the tunnel down to the Half Moon Battery and be transported back to the Second World War. Look out for “firing days” when many of the guns are operated by volunteers. Inside, the keep is a maze of rooms and twisty staircases for kids to explore – complete with the noise and drama of a castle under attack.
WARKWORTH CASTLE, NORTHUMBERLAND
Warkworth Castle’s nearly intact circuit of towered walls offer spectacular views over the River Coquet and Northumberland countryside, and its cross-shaped great tower or keep is almost complete – even though it was built more than 600 years ago. Look out for the lion badges of the powerful Percy family as you explore. They took ownership of Warkworth in 1345 and their descendants live at nearby Alnwick Castle. The family’s fame and fortunes were at their height under Henry Percy, first Earl of Northumberland. His son “Harry Hotspur” appears in Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part I. Continue your adventure by taking a walk half a mile up river, followed by a boat trip to discover the Hermitage, carved from the rock as a private chapel. Striking sculptures in the grounds have created a series of interactive trails. Follow them and learn about the people who lived in or near the castle in the early 15th century. Choose a character to lead you around the castle – from Henry Percy of Atholl to Eleanor Neville, Countess of Northumberland, or John del Warderobe, a long-serving servant of Warkworth.
FRAMLINGHAM CASTLE, SUFFOLK
This magnificent castle and estate was once at the heart of a network of power and influence. Built in the 12th century by Roger Bigod, it was home to the Dukes of Norfolk for more than 400 years. In 1553, the reign of England’s first “queen regnant” – Queen Mary I, who ruled in her own right – began here. During her five-year reign, more than 280 religious dissenters were burned at the stake. No wonder she was known as “Bloody Mary”. Enjoy the wall-top walk around Framlingham’s defences as well as interactive games, and step inside the workhouse – the only building remaining inside the castle walls today. Built around the shell of the castle’s medieval great hall, it provided lodging for the town’s paupers from the 17th to the 19th century. Try on everything from a Norman helmet to a workhouse cap in the dressing-up section.
SCARBOROUGH CASTLE, NORTH YORKSHIRE
With 3m-thick walls, this castle’s 860-year-old Norman keep towers above the town below – an utterly awe-inspiring reminder of the power it once commanded. Viewing platforms within the Inner Bailey and Great Tower offer stunning views over the town, harbour and bay. But leave plenty of time to explore the vast grassy headland – it’s a gigantic wildflower meadow bigger than 12 football pitches. A hands-on exhibition takes visitors on a whistle-stop tour through the castle’s dramatic history – with tools and pottery from prehistoric times; a replica Bronze Age sword; Civil War cannonball; and the nose-cap of a shell fired at Scarborough in 1914 during a bombardment by a German warship.
- Visit english-heritage.org.uk to check individual opening times and dates
