For those who want to experience something unusual, nothing beats the allure of staying in a castle. And many of Britain's best castles combine ancient architecture with the comfort of a chic hotel, where possible incorporating original features, furnishings and authentic events to really enhance the experience. You'll also find that castle stays in Britain offer perks such as free tours or private after-hours access to the grounds.
Because of their place in history, many fortifications are set in some of the wildest landscape - from the beautiful, mountainous, forested areas of County Armagh to the warm shores of the Isles of Scilly - adding an extra layer of remote, poetic mystery to your stay. Expect stunning medieval military architecture, bathrooms behind hidden walls, jousting tournaments and the odd friendly ghost in our pick of the best British castle holidays.
How we assess
Each hotel on this curated list has been visited by one of our expert reviewers, usually hosted free of charge. They stay at least one night, test at least one meal and try other experiences the hotel may have to offer.
England
This 13th-century double-moated castle in Kent's High Weald was once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn before later passing into the hands of Anne of Cleves. As a guest, expect to encounter historical artefacts such as the executed queen's prayer books and England's best collection of Tudor paintings after the National Portrait Gallery, along with a single four-poster bed, roll-top bath and gold-threaded chaise longue in the rooms . . Outside office hours you can also explore the grounds (with the centuries-old yew maze, the beautiful croquet lawn and the stimulating rose garden). Joustings and reenactments make things more exciting in the summer.
A warrior medieval knight named Ralph Lumley built this impressive castle overlooking the River Wear. He was a bit of a troublemaker and was executed for plotting to overthrow King Henry IV. This is not a building that does things by halves, with its bombastic silk flower arrangements, heraldic wall hangings and staff strutting about in medieval garb. The bedrooms have heavily draped four-poster beds and original features such as swags and curtains. Some have a bathroom behind hidden doors. The dining room is ideal for romance: think soft candles, stone pillars and vaulted ceilings.
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Augill Castle is a rather theatrical testament to the power of sibling rivalry. John Bagot Pearson, "a gentleman of leisure and considerable means", built it in 1841 to outdo his brother. And because he could. The result is a stunning ensemble of steep turrets, impressive mahogany staircases and latticed windows as intricate as French lace. The rooms - all grand in scale - are decorated in a shabby country house style with carpets on wooden floors, acres of flowing curtains, antique furniture and the odd modern touch. It may not be suitable for shy people and retirees, but it is perfect for families and anyone who loves adventures.
You get much more than a bed for the night when you stay at Warwick Castle. Guests can choose from two rooms in Caesar's Tower, one of which is the Rose Suite, which once housed King Edward IV and has a door to the battlements. Certain quirks from some 600 years of English history are evident in the castle's architecture and design, some of which date back to its 14th-century origins as a Norman motte-and-bailey castle. Other benefits include a free all-day dining menu, admission to the Castle Dungeon, and a private after-hours tour led by one of the historians.
With its battlements and two-metre-thick walls, this 14th-century castle is one of the last remaining British castle hotels to still retain its original fortifications. Expect stone walls, wrought iron candlesticks, suits of armor and gilded portraits galore. The most expensive rooms are located in the castle and are completely medieval in design with four-poster beds, lavish swags and window seats set in thick stone walls. Food is taken seriously, with dishes such as seared halibut with arancini squid ink, parsnip velouté and pepper calamari in a bisque cream, or duck breast with candied potato in a spiced port jus.
Amberley Castle is initially forbidden, with a rare working portcullis (lowered every night) within its 60-foot walls. The 900-year-old castle started life as a hunting lodge in 1103 and became a fortified manor some 400 years later, passing through the hands of bishops and royalty and hosting the likes of Henry VIII (seeking divorce advice) in 1526. Charles II in 1660, and Elizabeth II as princess. Inside, however, the style is comfortable and modest, albeit with harnesses everywhere. Some rooms are traditional, with four-poster beds; others more contemporary.
Leeds Castle dates back some 900 years and sits lush in 500 acres of beautiful Kent parkland and gardens. As well as self-catering cottages and medieval-style glamping tents, there are a handful of elegant B&B rooms in the 1930s Stable Courtyard and the 16th-century Maiden's Tower. Breakfast and dinner are served in the oak-beamed, half-timbered 17th-century Castle View Restaurant, which, as the name suggests, overlooks the castle. Guests can also explore the exhibition centres, treetop adventure course and playgrounds, as well as free entry to the castle and out-of-hours access to the grounds.
During the reign of Elizabeth I, this star-shaped fortress was built in 1593 to defend the Isles of Scilly. Crooked rooms are crammed into all eight points of the star, which only adds to the fun of exploration; bag a garden room for beautiful patio doors that open directly onto the lawns. Heritage features scattered throughout the spaces reflect the hotel's incredible history; think of large wooden beams, fireplaces and the original staircase used to take prisoners to the dungeon. The food here is also very attractive; the dining room was once the officers' mess and guests can sample wine from the owner's local vineyard.
Scotland
A fine example of 19th century Scottish baronial grandeur, set in a forest of giant redwoods overlooking the Irish Sea. Sandstone battlements, viewed from the Azalea Pond and Italian Garden, evoke a fairytale, and imposing public rooms with Austrian wood panelling, period furniture, fireplaces and objets d'art create a warm, modern Victorian atmosphere. There is an all-weather tennis court, a croquet lawn and a shooting range (pheasant and partridge are on the estate). The suites are palatial with curtained four-poster beds, fireplaces and floral arrangements reminiscent of Old Master paintings. Don't miss the seven-course dinners.
This is the real McCoy, Scotland's oldest inhabited castle with a turbulent history dating back to the 13th century. The musket shot may be embedded in the stone battlements, but the interior has been transformed into a luxury hotel and spa with delicious food. Individually designed rooms feature Scottish fabrics of tartan, tweed and twill, plus spacious bathrooms; the Mary Queen of Scots suite has a huge four-poster bed fit for royalty. You'll be in good company too: Edward I spent a night here before marching to Falkirk to defeat William Wallace. Dine by candlelight among suits of armor and battle axes in the Dungeon restaurant for a truly authentic castle experience.
Queen Victoria said she had 'never seen a more beautiful or romantic place' than Inverlochy Castle in 1873, and that it remains as impressive as ever. Moving with the times, modern amenities such as waterfall showers, Bang & Olufsen stereos and televisions hidden behind mirrors have crept in, while the unapologetic country house style and all-pervading sense of time lingers. Situated at the foot of Ben Nevis, surrounded by a ring of highland peaks, this is a place of quiet beauty, with no indication that the busy, bustling tourist town of Fort William is just a few miles away.
Wales
A Liberal MP built this early Victorian castle (and former secondary school) on a private peninsula on the coast of Snowdonia. Gothic and Tudor styles collide: think slate floors, froufrou plasterwork and an ornate fireplace guarded by a fearsome stone knight. There are 11 castle rooms to choose from, from modern Castle Doubles with kitchen area and tea trays with Welsh produce, to suites with separate lounges and pull-out beds. Enjoy an al fresco lunch on the sunlit terrace of the Victorian walled garden; After dinner, retreat to the wood-paneled lounge for a cup of coffee by the roaring fire.
This fish-scale, turreted mansion was built for Lady Sarah Hay Williams as her husband John's dowry (the name means "ladies' residence"). The design is based on five castles in the Loire Valley, a region the couple loved. There are 27 bedrooms, 16 in the main house and 11 next door in The Lodge, plus three self-catering cottages. On-site facilities include a sauna, hot tub, tennis courts and gardens, and there are plenty of rooms to explore, including a music room, drawing room, cloisters and nooks full of interesting artefacts. Views of the giants of Snowdon complete the picture.
Northern Ireland
An old castle with modern facilities, good food, friendly staff, open fires, sea views and a resident ghost. After James Shaw built the castle in 1625, he was so enraged when his wife Isabella gave birth to a girl instead of a son and heir that he locked her in this room to starve. Distraught, she threw herself out the window, and guests have reported seeing her ghost appear and disappear in their rooms, leaving behind a smell of stale vanilla. Apart from that, Ballygally Castle makes a cozy base for exploring the north coast, not to mention a number of Game of Thrones filming locations.
Located in a beautiful, mountainous, wooded region - known during the Troubles as 'Bandit Country' and now only now being discovered by tourists - this Grade II listed castle from 1836 has been transformed into one of the most stylish hotels in Northern Ireland. Guests will find fantastic food and an excellent spa, and the property has won a number of national awards, including best romantic getaway, restaurant and chef. The modern section has 45 rooms, while the castle has four quirky Gothic-style bedrooms with four-poster beds. There is also a three-bedroom self-catering gate lodge.
Contributions from Telegraph Travel experts
