The Castles of England and Wales

From the rugged motte-and-bailey outposts of the Norman invasion to the soaring concentric masterpieces of Edward I’s Iron Ring, these fortresses are far more than stone and mortar. They are the very record of conquest, resistance, royal ambition, and the slow forging of national identity. In England, the great keeps of Dover, Rochester, and the Tower of London speak of royal power and baronial strife; in Wales, Caernarfon, Conwy, Harlech, and Beaumaris proclaim the final subjugation of an ancient principality, yet stand today as proud emblems of a nation’s resilience.

Here you will find authoritative, vivid accounts of the most significant castles—each one a chapter in the long dialogue between invader and defender, lord and subject, history and legend. Step inside these walls with us and hear the echoes of the past kept triumphantly alive.

Castles in England

Learn more about castles in England
Warkworth Castle in Northumberland

Warkworth Castle

Overlooking the River Coquet, the majestic ruins of Warkworth Castle stand as a powerful reminder of the conflicts th...
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Bolsover Castle in Derbyshire

Bolsover Castle

Bolsover Castle exemplifies the English Renaissance style and contains rare examples of elaborate Baroque carved fire...
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The ruins of Corfe Castle in Dorset

Corfe Castle

Corfe Castle is an iconic medieval castle located in the village of Corfe in Dorset, England. 
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Raby Castle in County Durham

Raby Castle

Raby Castle is a medieval castle located in County Durham, England. It has a rich history dating back to the 11th cen...
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photograph of Beeston Castle lodge with gates open

Beeston Castle

Beeston Castle is a place where history and legend intertwine, creating a unique experience that appeals to all ages.
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an exterior photograph of Norwich Castle

Norwich Castle

Norwich Castle’s long and varied history makes it one of the most interesting castles in England. From its beginnings...
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a photograph of Lincoln Castle from the outside

Lincoln Castle

Lincoln Castle is a major Norman castle in Lincolnshire, England with a history dating back to 1068. 
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a photograph of Leeds Castle and the moat

Leeds Castle

Leeds Castle is more than just a beautiful building; it is a living piece of history that has evolved over the centur...
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an illustration of the Tower of London with the river Thames in the foreground

The Tower of London

While many castles boast a history of kings and queens, the Tower of London has been a royal residence with a differe...
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Windsor Castle, the oldest occupied castle in the world

Windsor Castle

Explore how Windsor Castle evolved through the medieval era to its transformation into the architectural marvel we se...
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Castles in Wales

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Swansea Castle

Swansea Castle

Swansea Castle, gaunt sentinel above the River Tawe, bears witness to nine centuries of strife and survival. From Hen...
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Caerphilly Castle and its water defences

Caerphilly Castle

Caerphilly Castle, the largest in Wales, was raised by Gilbert de Clare in 1268–71 as a baronial masterpiece. Its con...
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Raglan Castle in Monmouthshire

Raglan Castle

Beyond its awe-inspiring architecture, Raglan Castle played an integral role in regional power struggles. It withstoo...
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Kidwelly Castle in Carmarthenshire

Kidwelly Castle

Kidwelly Castle, one of the most stunning and well-preserved medieval fortresses in Wales, stands proudly near the Gw...
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The ruins of Castell y Bere in Gwynedd

Castell y Bere

Castell y Bere may not be as famous as the imposing castles of Caernarfon or Conwy, but it holds a special place in t...
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Harlech Castle above the coast of Gwynedd

Harlech Castle

Harlech Castle stands as a monument to both military power and national pride. From Edward I’s domination of Wales to...
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The ruins of Castell Dinas Bran above Llangollen

Castell Dinas Brân

Castell Dinas Brân is more than just a ruin on a hill. It is a symbol of Welsh resilience, a place where history and ...
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The flat side of the Welsh Tower at Ewloe Castle with its round-arched windows, October 2026

Ewloe Castle

Ewloe Castle is a native Welsh castle hidden in Flintshire woodland, begun by Llywelyn the Great after 1210 and stren...
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The ruins of Montgomery Castle

Montgomery Castle

The ruins of Montgomery Castle provide scenic views across the surrounding countryside. Built by the Normans in the 1...
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Beaumaris Castle on Anglesey

Beaumaris Castle

Beaumaris Castle stands as one of the last and greatest medieval castles built in Britain. Constructed by Edward I to...
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Penrhyn Castle near Bangor

Penrhyn Castle

Penrhyn Castle crowns a hill above the Ogwen Valley, its neo-Norman towers a romantic nineteenth-century creation by ...
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Chirk Castle in Wrexham

Chirk Castle

Chirk Castle is one of the most famous medieval castles in north Wales, with a long and storied history spanning over...
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Castell Coch near Cardiff

Castell Coch

For centuries, Castell Coch served as the stronghold of the Coch rulers of northern Cardiff. It withstood assaults du...
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Ruthin Castle in Denbighshire

Ruthin Castle

Ruthin Castle is a medieval castle located in the town of Ruthin, Wales. Perched atop a hill overlooking the Clwyd Va...
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Bodelwyddan Castle in Denbighshire

Bodelwyddan Castle

Bodelwyddan Castle crowns a North Welsh hill, its Gothic towers and battlements a romantic nineteenth-century creatio...
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The great tower of Flint Castle, its moat and the curtain wall, October 2026

Flint Castle

Flint Castle, begun in the summer of 1277, was the first castle of Edward I's Welsh campaign. Its separate great towe...
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The great gatehouse of Denbigh Castle, its arched entrance and towers, seen from the approach path, October 2026

Denbigh Castle

Denbigh Castle, begun by Henry de Lacy in October 1282 on the stronghold of Dafydd ap Gruffudd, crowns the Vale of Cl...
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The medieval town walls of Conwy

Conwy Town Walls

Conwy's majestic town walls are one of the finest examples of medieval defensive architecture in all of Wales. A visi...
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