Castles You Can Actually Stay In (UK Edition)
There’s a moment every castle lover knows. It’s closing time, the gift shop shutters come down, and you’re walking back to the car park wondering what it would be like to stay behind. To watch the battlements turn gold at sunset, have the ramparts to yourself, and wake up inside history instead of queuing to get into it.
The good news is that you can. The UK has a surprising number of castles you can stay in, and they’re not all £500-a-night luxury hotels. You can sleep in a medieval-style tent in the grounds of Warwick Castle, rent a Stirling Prize-winning home built inside a ruined moated castle, or book a four-poster room where Tudor royalty once slept.
I’ve grouped this guide by the type of stay, because a family glamping weekend and an anniversary splurge are very different trips. Whether you’re a camper who fancies an upgrade or a history fan finally ready to sleep in a castle, there’s something here for you.
Quick Guide: Types of Castle Stays in the UK
Before we get to the castles themselves, it helps to know what you’re choosing between:
- Castle glamping: themed tents or lodges within castle grounds. Usually the most affordable option, great for families, and often includes castle entry.
- Castle hotels: rooms inside the castle itself, with restaurants, spas and full service. Ideal for special occasions.
- Self-catering castles: you rent the whole castle (or part of it) for a group. These are brilliant value per person if you split the cost.
- Camping near castles: your own tent or van at a campsite with castle views. The cheapest way to wake up next to history.
Castle Glamping: Sleep in the Grounds
This is where Campsites and Castles readers should start. It gives you the camping experience you love, with a castle as your next-door neighbour.
Warwick Castle Knight’s Village, Warwickshire
Warwick is the best-known castle glamping experience in the UK, and it’s aimed squarely at families. The Knight’s Village has thirty-one standard Warwick tents and six larger King’s tents. The standard tents sleep up to four, with a double bed and two singles, while the King’s tents add a four-poster bed and an outdoor canopy with table and thrones. warwick-castle
The setting is lovely: a secluded woodland grove beside the River Avon, with a restaurant styled as a medieval banqueting hall at the centre of the village. Packages include the overnight stay in the castle grounds, themed evening entertainment, breakfast, car parking and WiFi. Showers are communal, so it will feel familiar to regular campers. Medieval Glamping +2
If canvas isn’t your thing, the village also has woodland lodges set among trees and wooden walkways. warwick-castle
Good to know: The tents are seasonal. The official site lists glamping as returning in 2026, so check dates before planning around it. warwick-castle
Best Campsites Near Warwick Castle
Leeds Castle, Kent
Often called “the loveliest castle in the world”, Leeds Castle offers stays on its estate. It is best known for Knights’ Glamping, with eight striped pavilions based on a medieval design, set on the castle’s former one-acre vineyard, complete with four-poster beds and wood-burning stoves. visitkent
It has also added the Knights’ Retreat, eight cosy lodges named after mythical creatures such as the Basilisk, Minotaur and Gryphon. Leeds Castle also has six historic self-catering holiday cottages within the estate for longer stays. leeds-castlevisitkent
The biggest perk is after-hours access. Stays include daytime entry to the castle and out-of-hours access to the grounds, so you can walk around the moat at dusk once the day visitors have gone. wearemaidstone
Good to know: The accommodation options and seasons have changed in recent years. Check the Leeds Castle website for what’s running when you want to go.
Self-Catering Castles: Rent a Castle for Your Group
If you’ve ever dreamed of your own castle, even for a few nights, this is how to do it. Split between a group of friends or family, it can cost less per person than a mid-range hotel.
Astley Castle, Warwickshire (Landmark Trust)
This is one of the most remarkable places to stay in Britain. Astley was a fire-damaged ruin until the Landmark Trust rescued it. It reopened in 2012 after a £2.7m restoration and won the RIBA Stirling Prize for Architecture in 2013. coventrytelegraph
The design is unusual. Some of the original 13th-century stonework and timbers were kept and combined with a modern design, so you’re living in a contemporary home wrapped inside medieval walls. The history is rich too: the site is associated with three Queens of England. Dog owners will be pleased that guests can bring up to two dogs, for a small per-dog charge. Ever fancied spending some time in your very own castle? +2
Good to know: It’s hugely popular, so book well ahead. Warwick Castle and Kenilworth Castle are both an easy drive away for days out.
Other Landmark Trust Castles
The Landmark Trust is a building preservation charity that rescues historic buildings at risk and lets them for holidays. Its portfolio includes several castles and towers across England, Scotland and Wales. Every booking helps fund conservation, so your holiday does some good. Browse the full list on their website and filter by “castles and forts”. landmarktrust
Castle Hotels: Four-Posters and Fine Dining
For anniversaries, birthdays, or simply treating yourself after a week under canvas.
Ruthin Castle Hotel, Denbighshire, Wales
A proper Welsh castle stay in North Wales. Ruthin Castle dates back to the 13th century and sits in acres of wooded parkland on the edge of the town of Ruthin. The hotel has a spa, restaurant and grounds that are great for exploring. The resident peacocks are a highlight, and one recent guest mentioned the peacocks putting on a show and rabbits roaming the grounds. visitwalestripadvisor
Honest note: Reviews are mixed. Guests consistently praise the staff and grounds, but some describe the rooms as dated. Go for the setting and history rather than cutting-edge luxury. It’s a great base for exploring Snowdonia and the North Wales castle trail, including Conwy, Caernarfon and Beaumaris. tripadvisor
The Best Campsites Near Caernarfon Castle
Thornbury Castle, Gloucestershire
This is the only Tudor castle in England operating as a hotel. Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn stayed here in 1535, and you can book the room associated with them. It has its own vineyard and is ideal for a romantic splurge.
Amberley Castle, West Sussex
This 900-year-old castle at the foot of the South Downs has one of the best features of any UK castle hotel: a working portcullis that is lowered each night. Its white peacocks and croquet lawn complete the fairytale.
Lumley Castle, County Durham
This 14th-century castle near Chester-le-Street is famous for its ghost stories, particularly the legend of Lily of Lumley. It’s a great choice if you like a bit of spookiness with your stay.
The Most Haunted Castles in the UK
Langley Castle, Northumberland
Langley is a medieval castle hotel just a few miles from Hadrian’s Wall. It’s perfect if you’re combining a Roman heritage trip with a night of luxury, and Northumberland’s coastal castles are within easy reach.
Dalhousie Castle, Midlothian, Scotland
This 13th-century castle is only a short drive from Edinburgh. It has an on-site falconry and a restaurant in the old dungeon vaults. It works well as a base for exploring Edinburgh without city-centre prices.
Where to Camp Near Edinburgh Castle
Camping With a Castle View: The Budget Option
Not every castle stay needs a castle bed. Some of the best mornings I’ve had involved unzipping a tent and seeing battlements on the horizon. Castle Howard in North Yorkshire has its own lakeside holiday park on the estate. Across the UK there are campsites within walking distance of castles like Bamburgh, Stirling and Tintagel.
You get the sunset views and early-morning access for the price of a pitch, and you’re first through the gates when the castle opens.
The Ultimate Guide to Camping Near UK Castles
Tips for Booking a Castle Stay
- Book early. Self-catering castles like Astley often sell out many months ahead, and glamping fills up quickly for school holidays.
- Check what’s included. Many castle glamping packages include castle entry, which can save a family a lot on day tickets.
- Go midweek or off-season. Castle hotel prices can drop sharply outside summer weekends.
- Ask about accessibility. Old castles mean spiral staircases and uneven floors, so ask about ground-floor rooms if mobility matters.
- Bring layers. Even luxury castle rooms can be draughty. Stone walls hold the cold.
Final Thoughts
Staying in a castle used to feel like something for other people. Now there’s a castle stay for almost every budget, from a medieval tent at Warwick to a Tudor bedchamber at Thornbury. My advice is to match the stay to the trip: glamping for families, self-catering for groups, and hotels for the once-in-a-while treats.
