When you’re going on vacation to England, there’s really nothing quite as exciting as visiting some of England’s breathtaking castles. It’s like a fairytale dream come true! So if you’re staying in London and looking for an escape to see some of the best castles near London, then this is the list for you.
From castles that are a simple 20 minutes from London to some that are 2.5 hours away, all these stunning castles are easy to get to from the city on a day trip. But if you feel like spending longer, some of these castles even allow you to stay the night! (What did I say about making all your fairytale dreams come true?!)
So are you ready to discover the best castles near London? Let’s dive in!
1. Leeds Castle
Leeds Castle is a gorgeous castle in Kent and is one of the most fairytale-like castles you can find in England. In fact, some people even call it “the loveliest castle in the world.” And it’s only a little over an hour away from London by car!
Throughout its 900-year history, this castle has been many things: a Norman stronghold, a palace of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, the property of six medieval English queens, a country house, and more. One thing that everyone across the ages can agree on is that it is a beautiful place in any of its incarnations!
Leeds holds many events throughout the year that are fun for the whole family. But everyday attractions at the castle include falconry displays and experiences as well as a dog collar museum (yes, you read that right). The dog collar museum boasts over 130 rare and valuable collars from across five centuries, while if you decide to pay for one of the falconry experiences you will have an amazing hands-on experience flying these magnificent birds!
One of the best things about Leeds Castle is that you can pay for one day’s entrance and you get the whole year free to come back anytime you want (what a steal!) I also love that Leeds has some fun accommodation options on site, including holiday cottages, staying in the (modified) stable courtyard rooms, and even glamping on the grounds! After all, who wouldn’t want to stay at a castle?
Check out Leeds Castle or check out more accommodation options on site!
2. Dover Castle
Dover Castle should be on the top of everyone’s castle list when visiting England! At a little under two hours drive from London, this castle is well worth a day trip to experience all the amazing history that happened here.
Dover Castle has been of key military importance throughout its history, all the from the 1100s through the two World Wars. Across all this time, its inhabitants have shifted and reshaped it into what they need it to be to meet their strategic needs…and when you visit you can experience this as you wander through the castle and on an underground tour of the tunnels below the castle!
This is also a fun site for movie lovers as well, as many famous movies have been filmed here including Avengers: Age of Ultron, Into the Woods, and so many others. It’s a really special place and is fun to see!
And did you know that Peverell’s Tower at Dover Castle is available to spend the night in? It’s quite expensive, but if you have the budget and want to stay at the castle then I’m sure it’s a super cool experience! You can have a look at the availability here.
Check out Dover Castle to learn more!
3. Windsor Castle
What castles near London list would be complete without Windsor Castle? This castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, and at under an hour from London it’s a no-brainer that you will want to see it!
This castle was founded in the 11th century by William the Conqueror, and since that time it has been home to 39 monarchs (including Queen Elizabeth II). If you time your visit right, the Queen may even be in residence! Just look for the flag and if it’s the Royal Standard then you know that the queen is at Windsor too.
Last time I was at Windsor was for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s wedding (Prince Harry and Meghan Markle). The streets were packed and it was so much fun to squeeze in with everyone to watch the wedding and then see them in their carriage as they passed by!
So if you have the chance to go, even if not for a royal wedding, then I highly recommend it! Some people like to go on their own and pay for admission, while others prefer to take a tour such as this half-day Windsor tour or this tour that takes you to Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, and Bath.
Check out more Windsor Castle tour options!
4. Hever Castle
Hever Castle‘s rich history spans over 700 years, all the way through today, where (thanks to William Waldorf Aster) visitors can come and see this castle that was once home to the Boleyns during the 15th and 16th centuries.
In fact, this castle was actually the childhood home of Anne Boleyn (the second wife of King Henry VIII). Although it is not known whether Anne was actually born in this castle, it is sure that she lived here throughout her childhood and that Henry VIII stayed in a nearby dwelling while courting her. Funnily enough in this weird drama of Henry’s life, he ended up with possession of this castle and later passed it on to another of his wives, Anne of Cleves.
Today, though, visitors can come and experience this delightful little castle. Come to see the castle and the gardens, explore the mazes on the property, watch jousting, or try out archery and shield painting. Or you could even come to spend the night at the exceptional bed and breakfast inside the castle! At just over an hour away from London, this is the perfect place to take a short city break and enjoy seeing a beautiful historical castle.
Click here to check out Hever Castle’s Bed and Breakfast!
5. Thornbury Castle
Like Hever Castle, Thornbury Castle also has a Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn connection. This was actually one of the castles that they spent time in during their honeymoon tour, and today you can visit and stay the night like I did. In fact, you can even stay in the room Henry and Anne stayed in nearly 500 years ago!
With a fascinating history, beautiful grounds, and an excellent restaurant, this gem of a castle is certainly worth a look. It’s one of the farther away castles at around 2.5 hours from London, but it’s well worth the driving time if you can stay the night!
Check out Thornbury Castle and book a night’s stay!
6. Camber Castle
Unlike most of the castles on this list, Camber Castle is actually a ruined castle instead of one with a beautifully furnished interior. It was originally built by Henry VIII to protect the coast of England against attack and was used until the 1600s it was closed by Charles I.
One of the delights of this castle is that it is so round in shape! This makes it fun and a little different to see. Romantic era artists (and regular people) also thought it was delightful and loved to picnic here…and J.M.W. Turner even spent time out here painting and sketching the castle!
If you hope to visit Camber Castle, do be aware that it is only open to explore by guided tour. So be sure to check the opening dates and leave plenty of time to travel as it is two hours from London by car! There is also no access to the castle by vehicle (you have to walk a mile through fields with livestock in them) which I think adds to the charm of this castle…but I know it can also cause issues for those who are unable to walk to see it.
Check out Camber Castle to learn more before you go!
7. Tower of London
Did you realize that the Tower of London is also a castle even though it doesn’t have the name castle in its title? And it’s one of the most famous and historic ones at that! If you’re visiting London, you’re likely already planning to go here. But if you aren’t, then here’s why you should.
The Tower of London was founded around 1066, with William the Conqueror erecting the castle keep in the 1070s. Originally, the Tower of London was used as a fortress and a residence and, merely incidentally, a prison at some times.
Medieval kings and queens lived in fancy and luxurious apartments inside the Tower of London, and they even welcomed foreign rulers here. During the Tudor period, Henry VIII even renovated rooms inside the Tower for his bride Anne Boleyn before her coronation…but only three years later she would return to the tower and stay in these same lodgings before ultimately being executed on the Tower Green.
This is what most people think of when they hear “Tower of London”–imprisonment and execution. And for good reason, because the Tower became the most important state prison in England! For over 800 years women and men were imprisoned and often killed at the tower. And famous “residents” include Elizabeth I, Sir Walter Raleigh, Lady Jane Grey, Guy Fawkes, and of course Anne Boleyn.
When I visited the Tower of London, I thought it was especially interesting to see all the “graffiti” carved into the walls by prisoners across the ages. Some of them spent so many years here that they had plenty of time to carve elaborate messages into the stone!
If you plan to visit the Tower of London, it may be worth looking into the London Pass to help you save money on admission to attractions across the city. If you think this may be an option you want to consider, then learn more about the London Pass and other money saving tips for the UK in this article.
Learn more about the Tower of London here!
8. Bodiam Castle
Bodiam Castle is one of the most majestic castles on this list, especially as it is surrounded by a moat. If you’re looking for a fairytale, this is it!
This 14th century castle was built by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge (a former knight of Edward III), and was originally intended to defend against French invasion in the Hundred Years’ War. Today, this castle stands as a glimpse into the medieval splendor of the past, and even though it has a ruined interior it is still a delightful place to visit and explore.
There are also some fun events that happen at Bodiam, including archery! So what are you waiting for? At only 1.5 hours from London, this makes for the perfect short road trip!
Learn more about Bodiam Castle and how to visit!
9. Amberley Castle
A little over 1.5 hours from London stands the delightful Amberley Castle in the village of Amberley in West Sussex. While it originally started out as a 12th century manor house, later on in the 1300s it was fortified with high walls and towers…making it officially a castle!
Much–though not all–of the fortification is still in place today, and the old manor house is now used as a beautiful hotel. The interior is amazing! So if you’re looking for somewhere to go to relax in the countryside and enjoy gorgeous castle surrounds, this is it!
Check out Amberley Castle or make a reservation to stay the night!
10. Warwick Castle
Warwick Castle is a stunning and imposing medieval castle out in Warwickshire, England (2 hours from London). The structure was originally built by William the Conqueror but was later rebuilt in stone.
This castle has the most “touristy” (or should I say cheesy?) things to do of all the castles on this list, with daily shows and a castle dungeon complete with special effects. If that’s your thing or you’re traveling with kids who would like it, then great! It’s not really my thing, but the castle building is still lovely to see. You can also spend the night on the grounds of the castle to enjoy a short break here!
Discover all that Warwick Castle has to offer!
11. Arundel Castle
This castle in West Sussex is under two hours from London and is a beautiful sight to see. It has been restored and remodelled several times from its original medieval castle into the building you can see today.
From the 11th century on it was a home to the same family (sometimes through female heiresses and name changes) and has a somewhat complicated family history occasionally filled with executions and intrigue.
Arundel Castle opens between April to November, so be sure to plan your trip accordingly! They also often have fun events happening, including tournaments, living history days, and even Shakespeare plays so be sure to check out what’s on while you’re there.
Check out more information about Arundel Castle!
12. Rochester Castle
Rochester Castle is another amazing castle ruin in Kent, England (under an hour from London). Throughout its history it has always been a strategically important castle, protecting the south-east coast from invasion.
Although the castle has changed hands many times, the keep (stone tower) build by William de Corbeil in the 12th century still survives today and is one of the best preserved examples of this type of Norman architecture in England or France. It stands 113 feet tall and three floors high above a basement, which is a pretty amazing feat for such an old building! If you are interested in architecture from this period or simply want to get great views over the coast, then this is a fantastic castle to experience.
Learn more about Rochester Castle and how to visit!
13. Highclere Castle
Highclere Castle is a country house in Newbury, only 20 minutes from London. If that’s not incentive enough to visit, then here are a few other reasons you may want to go:
This beautiful house/castle stands on a 5,000 acre estate. Like one of my favorite English ancestral homes, Blenheim Palace, Highclere’s park was designed by Lancelot “Capability” Brown. With such a famous name attached to the park, you know it is gorgeous!
But one reason many people love to visit Highclere today is because it was used as the main filming location for Downton Abbey. If you’ve spent anytime at all watching this Emmy Award-winning drama, then you will instantly recognize this beautiful castle.
It has, of course, also been the filming location for a lot of other great movies and shows other than Downton Abbey, most notably the British comedy Jeeves and Wooster (based on the novels by P.G. Wodehouse). So if you love good British TV then this is an excellent place to visit!
There is also a cool Egyptian exhibition in honor of the 5th Earl of Carnarvon from Highclere who discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun with his colleague Howard Carter. Carnarvon discovered and purchased Egyptian artefacts throughout his life, but following his death most of his collection was sold to the Metropolitan Museum of New York. The remainder was rediscovered in the late 1900s and is now displayed alongside some objects lent back from museums the Carnarvon family had originally lent antiquities to. It’s a fascinating little trip into this part of Highclere’s history!
Before you visit the castle, keep in mind that Highclere is not always open to the public. So be sure to check for admission times and tickets before you go! The gardens, castle, and Egyptian exhibition are usually open during the summer months and a few other times throughout the year.
Discover Highclere Castle and all there is to see here!
Map of the Castles Near London
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I’ve been to 5 of them on your list, and my favourite ones are Leeds Castle & Bodiam Castle! Hope to visit the rest of them soon… Lovely photos and great post – enjoyed reading it! <3
That’s so fun, Sehee! I’m glad to hear you’re a fellow addicted-to-castles traveler! 🙂