7 of the most beautiful ancient castles in the UK

There are more than 4000 ancient castles scattered throughout the UK, including castles built in the 11th century.

Kings and nobles built and fortified many castles with the purpose of resisting enemy attacks.

Today, many of these castles are used as museums displaying heritage or open to visitors.

So, if you have the opportunity to come to the UK and want to have a trip like medieval aristocrats, try visiting the following 7 ancient castles.

Norwich Castle

Built in 1067, Norwich Castle is one of the oldest castles still standing today in the United Kingdom.

William the Conqueror built it after the Norman Conquest of England.

Like many castles built at the same time, Norwich Castle was also a garrison and prison for prisoners.

Until the middle of the 12th century, this was still the only major royal castle in East Anglia, it was only when King Henry II built Orford Castle that Norwich lost this title.

Beginning in 1894, this 900-plus-year-old castle has been used as a museum, displaying archaeological artifacts, works of art, and objects of historical importance.

Warwich Castle

William the Conqueror also built Warwich Castle in 1068, but it was only built from wood.

In the 12th century, this place was restored and rebuilt with stone. The castle has a charming and ancient beauty of the Middle Ages.

Today, this place is preserved as a historical site and is an extremely popular tourist destination.

The most special thing when coming to this place is that visitors will admire the impressive arsenal of the castle including battlefields, turrets, dark prisons used to hold prisoners, …

Among them, the most notable is the giant Warwich catapult, one of the largest siege weapons in the world.

Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle in Berkshire is one of the most famous castles in England. This is the queen’s residence and has more than 900 years of history.

William the Conqueror built the castle in the 11th century and since then it has been the “home” of 39 kings and queens of Great Britain.

This makes Windsor the oldest castle in the world still inhabited.

After the process of expansion and construction took place for many years under many different owners, now the castle is a large complex with a total area of ​​up to 5 hectares.

Visitors to the castle can admire The State Rooms, where the Queen receives heads of state, or visit the chapel of St. George is the place where grand royal weddings take place, …

Tower of London

The Tower of London is officially known as the Palace and the Queen’s Fort is London’s iconic castle.

It has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. In 1066, William the Conqueror built this ancient castle as part of the Norman Invasion of England.

In addition to being a major royal palace and fortress, it was also a prison, execution site, armory, royal foundry, and barracks.

The Tower of London plays a prominent role in British history, it has been besieged many times and controlling it is important to control the country.

It is also a famous haunted place. Many people have seen mysterious white figures, believed to be the ghosts of nobles who used to live here.

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh is one of the most famous castles in Scotland, it was built on an extinct volcano. It has a history dating back to the Iron Age.

Edinburgh became the main seat of Scottish royalty during the Middle Ages until the English first captured it in 1296.

Throughout its millennial history, it has seen sieges, functioned as a military base and sheltered Scottish kings.

Here, visitors can admire the dress of the Scottish ruler on the first floor of the royal palace, along with the Stone of Destiny – a red sandstone block once used in coronation ceremonies. royal glory for centuries.

Caerphilly Castle

In Wales, there are about 427 large and small castles, of which the most impressive is Caerphilly Castle. It is the largest castle in Wales and the second largest in England.

Lord Gilbert de Clare had it built in the 13th century as a defensive castle against Llywelyn ap Gruffydd, the last prince of a united Wales before it was invaded by the reign of Edward I.

The castle is surrounded by an impressive water-filled moat.

After many wars, the current state of the castle is quite dilapidated, but it is a great place to learn the history and discover the unique defense system, mysterious passages in the castle.

Castle Dunluce

Dunluce is described as one of the most picturesque and romantic castles in Northern Ireland.

It was built around 1500 by the MacQuillan family on a cliff facing the sea.

This used to be a symbol of power, but in 1639, part of the castle collapsed into the sea and the building has been abandoned ever since.

The view of the castle today is something that no photographer wants to miss.

Capturing breathtaking pictures of the ruins of a majestic castle from the past, beneath the craggy cliffs with a view of the vast Irish Sea is surely the goal of any photography enthusiast.