There’s a particular kind of magic in stumbling across a castle you didn’t pay a penny to enter — just you, a ruined gatehouse, and a few centuries of history sitting quietly in a field. The UK is scattered with these places: sites cared for by local councils, charities, or simply left open to the…
Kent packs more castles per mile than almost anywhere else in England — and with orchards, oast houses, and the coast in between, it might be the perfect county for a castle-hopping camping trip. Here’s our guide to the best castles in Kent, plus where to pitch up nearby. Kent has been England’s front door…
Northern Ireland packs an extraordinary amount of castle history into a small space. Within a couple of hours’ drive you can stand inside a 12th-century Norman keep, scramble around clifftop ruins that seem to grow out of the rock itself, and walk through the courtyard that millions of viewers know as Winterfell. That last part…
Wales has more castles per square mile than any other country in Europe — over 600 of them, scattered across mountains, coastlines, and river valleys. Some are polished World Heritage Sites; others are wild, crumbling ruins you might have entirely to yourself on a misty morning. If you’re planning a Welsh castle adventure, this guide…
Scotland’s castles are unlike anything else in Britain. From fairy-tale turrets rising out of the mist to crumbling clifftop ruins where the wind howls off the North Sea, this is a country that wears its history on its sleeve — and on its skyline. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned Scotland explorer, this…
Britain is a country built on castles. Literally. From the windswept cliffs of Northumberland to the mist-draped lochs of the Scottish Highlands, from the dramatic coastline of Wales to the rolling green of the Irish hills, there is barely a region of the UK that doesn’t have a castle — or the ruins of one…
Few places in Britain carry the weight of legend quite like Tintagel. Perched on Cornwall’s dramatic Atlantic coast, this clifftop castle is inextricably bound to the story of King Arthur — and even if you’re sceptical about the myths, the ruins themselves are breathtaking enough to justify the drive. The good news for camping enthusiasts…
Stirling Castle sits on a volcanic rock above one of Scotland’s most historic cities, commanding views of the Highlands, the Wallace Monument, and the sweeping flatlands of the Forth Valley. It was the childhood home of Mary Queen of Scots, the site of Scotland’s Renaissance court, and one of the most strategically important fortresses in…
Published May 2026 If there’s one place in England that makes you feel like you’ve driven straight into a period drama, it’s Castle Howard. The moment those wrought-iron gates come into view — and that great baroque dome rises beyond them — you’ll understand why it’s been a filming location, a tourist landmark, and an…
Published May 2026 • Estimated read time: 10 minutes There are few places in Britain quite as dramatic as Caernarfon. Perched at the mouth of the Menai Strait in North Wales, Caernarfon Castle is one of Europe’s most impressive medieval fortresses — a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a symbol of Welsh history, and genuinely one…
Published May 2026 There’s a particular kind of magic that happens when you pitch a tent within sight of a castle. The kids spot the battlements through the trees, the questions start — ‘Who lived there?’, ‘Was there a dungeon?’, ‘Can we go in?’ — and suddenly history isn’t something that happens in a textbook….
By Nikki | Campsites and Castles Few combinations in England feel quite as satisfying as pitching your tent within striking distance of one of the most iconic castles on earth. Windsor Castle isn’t just a royal residence — it’s a living piece of British history that has stood for nearly 1,000 years, and the Thames…