Best Castles to visit in England

[emilymamu]

Can anyone tell me the best castles to visit in England. The last time I went to one was at school and I feel that I am taking our great history for granted. I would like to visit a forbidding/photogenic one - well, they all are! Thanks

[henneth]

Some of the best castles are in Wales so I would recommend looking over that side of Offa's Dyke, but if you want just English castles that are photogenic and 'forbidding' or even foreboding then I think Dover tops the list. Wonderful cliff top location, largely intact and put there to scare the bejesus out of any invading army.

Largely intact and 'castle shaped' you could choose Warwick, Bodiam, Alnwick, Arundel and the Tower of London.

Although ruined but fun to explore I'd add Kenilworth to the list but Windsor and Leeds are a bit more like stately homes than strategic fortifications.

[Octavius]

I think (Tower of London & Windsor/Balmoral excepted) that Eilean Donan castle in Scotland is possibly the most photogenic castle. I proposed (to my soon to be wife) there.

[CT]

Depends where you are and how far you are willing to travel really. There are great castles almost everywhere in the country.

[annavc]

Leeds Castle in Kent (near Maidstone) is gorgeous - surrounded by parkland and encircled with a large moat the castle basically sits on a island and I think is one of the most picturesque. It does cost rather a lot to get in but it is worth it. Also has huge historic value having been one of Henry VIII's royal palaces as well as a home for various medieval queens apparently. It's over 1000 years old and was listed in the Domesday Book.

[vehelpfulguy]

Join English Heritage and you can get in many castles for free.

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/

National Trust also own many old buildings which you can get in for free as a member

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/

One of my favorites is Maiden Castle, an earth castle

http://www.gallica.co.uk/celts/photo_album/2/mcastle1.jpg

I work in Warwick and can see Warwick castle from my office window, which is amazing

http://www.thecottagekenilworth.co.uk/images/warwick_castle.jpg

[emilymamu]

Thanks for all your suggestions. I know that Scotland and Wales are rich sources of castles, but I live in South London - near the Tower - and can't travel that far just for one day. Vehelpful guy, you are so lucky to be able to see Warwick Castle from your office window.

Henneth - thanks for all the info. 'Forbidding' is a proper word, not a typo.

[jno]

you're probably in reach of Rochester Castle, a bit like the Tower of London but not touristy, much more ruinous; and Dover Castle (English Heritage). HeverCastle is good, and Leeds Castle as annavc says. Bodiam Castle in Sussex is National Trust. All in your general part of the world.

[gary baldy]

What about the Elephant and Castle?
Ive found that to be quite forbidding at times and its close to you in South London.

[Toureman]

Wales is the place to see Castles, Caernarfon Castle is one of the oldest and most complete ones. I can see it out of my Lounge window, it is about 5 miles from where I live in Newborough on Anglesey.

Newborough is a small village and was created when Beamaris Castle on Anglesey was built, A village was demolished to make way for the English castle and all the residents were moved to a new borough, hence Newborough.

First case of Ethnic cleansing?

[raysparx]

Go to Dorset and visit Corfe Castle a lovely setting in a beautiful county