England’s Best Castles: Where to Send Your Client
Castles are non-negotiable for most England itineraries. Your clients expect turrets, history, and at least one decent photo op involving stone walls and dramatic skies. For many travelers planning a UK castle vacation, “seeing the best castles in England” is right at the top of the wish list.
The trick? Knowing which castles in England to visit deliver and which ones eat up half a day for lackluster payoff. England has hundreds of castles, but not all of them earn their spot on a custom England itinerary. Some are lived-in royal residences with state rooms and pageantry. Others are atmospheric ruins where the history speaks louder than any tour guide. A few offer both substance and scenery without the coach tour crowds.
Here's a curated list of England's best castles, chosen for variety, accessibility, and the kind of experience that makes travel advisors look smart. Whether your clients want royal grandeur, medieval drama, or coastal views with their history lesson, these are the castles worth building into the route.
Windsor Castle: Royal and ridiculously accessible
Windsor Castle sits just 40 minutes west of London by train or car, making it one of the easiest royal experiences to add to any England itinerary from London. It's the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, and yes, it's still a working royal residence.
What makes it worth the stop: St George's Chapel (where Harry and Meghan married), the State Apartments with their Rubens and Van Dycks, and the chance to see the Changing of the Guard without the Buckingham Palace crowds. On days when the Royal Standard flies, the King is in residence, clients love that detail.
Best for: First-time England travelers, families, anyone who wants accessible royal castles in England without a full-day commitment.
Warwick Castle: Medieval theme park done right
Warwick Castle walks the line between authentic history and family-friendly entertainment. It's a fully intact medieval castle in England with towers, dungeons, and ramparts you can actually explore. But it also has falconry displays, trebuchet demonstrations, and seasonal events that keep kids (and adults) engaged.
What makes it worth the stop: The Great Hall, the immersive dungeon experience, and views from the towers over the River Avon. It's one of the few family-friendly castles in England where you can genuinely spend half a day without getting bored.
Best for: Families, history buffs who don't mind a bit of theater, clients who want interactive experiences.
Logistics: It's about 1.5 hours from London, 30 minutes from Stratford-upon-Avon, and an easy stop between the Cotswolds and Oxford. Summer gets busy, spring and fall offer better pacing.
Dover Castle: Coastal drama with serious history
Dover Castle commands the white cliffs and has been called the "Key to England" for good reason. It's been a defensive stronghold since the Iron Age, with Roman influence, medieval fortifications, and even secret WWII tunnels you can tour. It’s one of the best coastal castles in England for clients interested in military history.
What makes it worth the stop: The wartime tunnels are genuinely compelling, the views across the English Channel to France are unbeatable, and the medieval Great Tower gives a visceral sense of fortress life. It's history layered on history, all in one dramatic coastal setting.
Best for: History enthusiasts, clients interested in WWII, anyone routing through Kent or heading to/from the Channel crossings.
Bamburgh Castle: Northumberland's showstopper
Bamburgh Castle sits on a rocky plateau overlooking a sweeping beach and the North Sea. It's one of those photogenic castles in England that looks like it was placed there by a location scout, not medieval architects. And while it's been restored (the Armstrong family has owned it since 1894), it's still filled with armor, art, and atmosphere.
What makes it worth the stop: The location is jaw-dropping, the interior has more warmth and character than many heavily-touristed castles, and the nearby village and beach make it easy to spend a full afternoon in the area.
Best for: Clients doing northern England or Scotland itineraries, couples, anyone who loves coastal scenery with their castles.
Bodiam Castle: The picture-perfect moated ruin
Bodiam Castle in East Sussex is the castle every kid draws: square, symmetrical, surrounded by a wide moat, and framed by rolling countryside. Built in the 14th century, it's now a ruin managed by the National Trust, but it's one of the most photogenic moated castles in England.
What makes it worth the stop: It's compact, easy to explore, and ridiculously scenic. The moat reflects the towers on calm days, and the interior, while roofless, still has enough intact structure to give a sense of medieval layout.
Best for: Photographers, families with younger kids, clients who want a quick, beautiful castle stop without a marathon visit.
Ludlow Castle: Ruins with a market town bonus
Ludlow Castle in Shropshire is a sprawling ruin perched above the River Teme. It's not as famous as Warwick or Windsor, but it's atmospheric, walkable, and sits in one of England's most charming market towns.
What makes it worth the stop: The ruins are extensive enough to explore but not overwhelming, and Ludlow itself is worth lingering in. The town has a thriving food scene, independent shops, and a slower pace that clients appreciate after busier stops.
Best for: Clients routing between the Cotswolds and Wales, foodies (Ludlow punches above its weight for restaurants), history buffs who prefer quieter sites and less crowded castles in England.
Leeds Castle: Moated elegance in Kent
Leeds Castle near Maidstone is often called "the loveliest castle in the world," and while that's debatable, it's certainly one of the most romantic castles near London. It's set on two islands in a lake, surrounded by 500 acres of parkland, and has been a Norman stronghold, royal palace, and private home over its 900-year history.
What makes it worth the stop: The interiors are surprisingly intimate for a castle, the grounds are stunning (maze, grotto, aviary), and the setting is pure English countryside elegance. It's also less crowded than many castles closer to London.
Best for: Couples, clients interested in gardens and landscapes, anyone wanting a castle experience that feels more country estate than fortress.
How to weave castles into England itineraries
Castles work best when they're chosen strategically, not stacked. Here's how we build them into custom England itineraries for our clients:
Pair with nearby towns or regions: Windsor with Bath or the Cotswolds. Warwick with Stratford-upon-Avon. Bamburgh with Holy Island or Alnwick.
Consider client interests: Families lean toward Warwick. History buffs love Dover's tunnels. Photographers want Bodiam or Bamburgh. Couples often gravitate to Leeds Castle and Windsor.
Mind the timing: Most castles need 1.5 to 3 hours. Plan around opening hours and seasonal closures.
Balance ruins and intact castles: Mix dramatic ruins (Bodiam, Ludlow) with lived-in or restored royal castles in England (Windsor, Leeds) for variety.
Use them as route anchors: A castle visit can break up a longer drive and give structure to a day that might otherwise feel like windshield time.
Let's build the right castle stops for your clients
We handle the logistics, the timing, the tickets, and the routing so your clients get the castles in England that match their interests without the guesswork. Every England castle itinerary is custom, and every stop earns its place.