Top 10 Best Castles in London

How many Castles are there in London?

There are 27 castles and palaces in London to choose from. Go on your next adventure with your children by finding the ideal locations! Every castle and palace on this astonishing article has been listed based on factors such as age ranges, amenities, location and even fees and opening times. Explore the top 10 best castles in London.

The History of British Castles.

We imagine that even in Anglo-Saxon times, Britain had castles manned by valiant knights, thanks to movies and books (especially the legends surrounding King Arthur, who is thought to have lived in approximately 400CE). However, the truth is that until 1066, there were no stone castles in Britain. Earlier "castles" were essentially fortified settlements or hill forts.

What then transpired in 1066? In this year, South Wales and England were overrun by a French duke from Normandy. William I was his king. In an attempt to subdue the Anglo-Saxons and the southern Welsh, he constructed over a thousand wooden castles during his reign in addition to numerous stone castles. The Tower of London is among his most well-known fortresses.

Under his rule, King William I gave his lords vast swathes of the nation. He received cash and soldiers in exchange. To demonstrate their dominance over the populace, lords were permitted to erect their own castles.

But there was one issue with this strategy. The presence of castles provided the lords with a secure haven from attacks by other lords or by the king. There were numerous conflicts during the ensuing 400 years.

In Scotland and north Wales, ruling families copied the Normans and started to build castles from about 1100. Along the border between England and Wales or Scotland, there are a lot of castles.

Later castles are also present. Edward I, the English king, took control of north Wales in 1284. To demonstrate his power to the Welsh, he constructed enormous castles. European castles like Caernarfon (above), Conway, and Beaumaris are among the most magnificent.

King Henry VIII erected castles on the coast in 1534, some 250 years later, to fend off invasions. The strategic castles that remained were these ones. After this, Britain became a more peaceful country, and newer castles were constructed as magnificent, secure homes rather than for military purposes. In other cases, as with the fictitious castle ruin at Hagley Hall in Worcestershire, they were merely constructed to appear intriguing and romantic.

1. Kensington Palace.

The entire Victorian era was named after Queen Victoria, who was born at Kensington Palace, which is well-known worldwide. A journey through Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens leads to Kensington Palace.

Many members of the royal family, including Prince Harry and William, currently reside in the Palace. While certain apartments that are not in use are closed, the palace as a whole is accessible to the public. Here is also a fantastic café to visit.

Things to know:

Location: Kensington Gardens, London, UK, W8 4PX.

Opening Hours: 10.00 am. to 4.00 pm.

Entry Fees: Free.

2. Hever Castle.

Hever Castle is about an hour's train ride from London. This castle has two moats. This was once the home of Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII's second wife. Three floors of this castle are overflowing with vintage items, including prayer books that once belonged to Anne Boleyn and an assortment of Tudor portraits. According to David Starkey, these portraits rank among the greatest collections of Tudor portraits, second only to the National Portrait Gallery. The 125 acres that make up the castle are home to three different mazes that one can explore. There are three types of mazes. For instance,

1. A tower maze that appears to be a children's adventure playground.

2. A water maze where the goal is to reach the center without getting wet.

3. A maze made of yew trees that was planted in 1904.

Things to know:

Location: Hever Road, Hever, Edenbridge, TN8 7NG, UK.

Opening Time: 12.00 pm to 5.00 pm.

Entry Fees: For Adults: £17.25, For the child: £9.75 and for the student: £14.50.

3. Leeds Castle.

Kent is where Leeds Castle is situated. It could be accessed from London in about two hours. Since the 19th century, it has been constructed. This magnificent castle occupies 500 acres of astonishing parkland and it offers a wide variety of activities throughout the year. The castle was once the residence of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon who was his first wife. It also features,

1. A dog collar museum.

2. Two playgrounds.

3. A falconry display.

It is common for people to get lost in the maze, although it can also be a lot of fun, and at the end of the maze, you will be honored for what you've done.

Things to know:

Location: Maidstone ME17 1PL, UK.

Opening Time: 10.00 am to 3.00 pm.

Entry Fees: For Adults: £24.90 and For Senior citizens: £21.90.

4. Highclere Castle.

The reason this castle is the most popular is because it served as the filming site for the popular drama series Downtown Abbey during the British era. The author of this series, Julian Fellowes, imagined this castle when he was writing it. This traditional castle sits on 5,000 acres in West Berkshire and offers plenty of sights to see. Numerous pieces of Egyptian jewelry and artwork are on display in this castle. This castle is only accessible to the public for 60 to 70 days out of the year because it is still a residence.

Things to know:

Location: Highclere Park, Highclere, Newbury RG20 9RN, UK.

Opening timing: Morning: 10:30 am to 1:30 pm and Afternoon: 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm.

Entry Fees: £120 per person.

5. Windsor Castle.

Not only this castle is the biggest in the world but also it is the oldest as well. The Queen resides in this castle. The most well-known features of this castle are:

1. Queen Mary's dollhouse, which is well-known throughout the entire world, the George IV private apartments.

2. The State Apartments, which are furnished with pieces from the Royal Collection.

After visiting the castle, if you still have some free time, you should absolutely explore Windsor town. Strolling beside the River Thames is enjoyable.

Things to know:

Location: Windsor SL4 1NJ, UK.

Opening timing: 10.00 am to 4.00 pm.

Entry Fees: For Adults: £21.20, For Under 17 years: £12.30 and for students and senior citizens: £19.30.

6. Clearwell Castle.

The Forest of Dean is where this castle is situated. It's the ideal London castle for weddings. For couples, it's comparable to a wish that has come true. It can make a dramatic entrance thanks to its 75-foot aisle. The leaded glass windows in the ballroom are beautifully adorned. A wedding would not be the same without a photo shoot. The grounds make the perfect location for the wedding portrait.

Things to know:

Location: Clearwell, Coleford GL 16 8LG, UK.

Opening timing: 5.00 am to 12.00 am.

Entry Fees: £94 per person.

7. Pendennis Castle.

It is situated on the coast of Cornwall. Like Clearwell Castle, Pendennis Castle is also known for the ideal weeding destination. You will have the option to hold your wedding inside the castle and decorate it with tapestries, candles, and flowers if you so desire. The Royal Artillery Barracks is the perfect place to have dinner and take pictures before heading back for drinks.

Things to know:

Location: Castle Dr, Falmouth TR11 4LP, UK.

Opening timing: Open on Saturday and Sunday from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm.

Entry Fees: For Adults: £10.50, For children: £6.30.

8. Hampton Court Palace.

Even though it is on the edge of London, well. it is not precisely in Central London. Despite not being a royal palace, Hampton Court has a rich history, particularly related to Henry VIII and his wives. Henry added an enormous medieval-style hall, and he has expanded the kitchens, and constructed a Royal Tennis court, among other modifications to the palace. There's a maze where one could easily get lost.

Things to know:

Location: Molesey, East Molesey KT8 9AU, UK.

Opening Time: Open from 10.00 am to 4.30 pm.

Entry Fee: Free.

9. Dover Castle.

The biggest castle in England is Dover Castle and it has been known as the "key of England" for centuries because it has protected the English Channel. When William the Conqueror invaded England in 1066, he set it on fire. The impressive complex of buildings, moats, and walls known as the castle complex is situated approximately 90 minutes away from London. During World War II, the numerous tunnels under the castle were transformed into an underground hospital and air raid shelters. Throughout your tour, you'll see towers, you may navigate dungeons, and could also climb staircases so tiny you'll wonder how the tall, voluminous medieval ladies managed. From Doctor Who to The Other Boleyn Girl, the castle has starred in numerous motion pictures.

Things to know:

Location: Castle Hill Rd., Dover CT16 1HU, UK.

Opening Time: Open from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm.

Entry Fee: For children (5-17) years: £14.00 and for adults: £23.00.

10. Eltham Palace.

In the 1930s, millionaire couple Stephen and Virginia Courtauld turned Eltham Palace into a charming Art Deco residence which had served as an opulent royal residence from the 14th to the 16th century. You can also explore the award-winning gardens, which drew inspiration from the couple's global adventures.

Things to know:

Location: Court Yard, London SE9 5QE, UK.

Opening Time: Open from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm.

Entry Fee: For children: £9.60, for adults: £16.00 and for senior citizens: £14.30.