United Kingdom Castles and Fortresses
map viewThe United Kingdom's castles on this page range from royal residences to medieval fortresses. Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, and the Tower of London has guarded the city since the time of William the Conqueror. Edinburgh Castle sits on an extinct volcano above the Scottish capital. In North Wales, Caernarfon, Conwy and Beaumaris were built for Edward I and are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. June to August brings the warmest and longest days for a visit.
Windsor Castle
The oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, a royal home for over 900 years above the Thames, about 35 km west of London, with the State Apartments and St George’s Chapel.
Tower of London, England
Nearly 1,000-year-old royal fortress on the Thames, home of the Crown Jewels, the White Tower and the ravens; UNESCO site, adult tickets £37.
Caernarfon Castle, north-west Wales, United Kingdom
Caernarfon Castle is a mighty 13th-century fortress of Edward I in north Wales, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the Prince of Wales was invested in 1969.
Edinburgh Castle, Scotland, United Kingdom
Edinburgh Castle is a historic fortress on a volcanic rock above Scotland’s capital, home to the Scottish crown jewels and the One O’Clock Gun.
Conwy Castle, North Wales, United Kingdom
Conwy Castle is a mighty fortress of Edward I, built in 1283–1287 on the Conwy estuary in north Wales, with eight towers and medieval town walls.
Beaumaris Castle, Wales, United Kingdom
Concentric castle begun by Edward I in 1295 on Anglesey, never finished, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site; adult ticket £10.40.
Castles in the United Kingdom on the map
Numbers match the ranking above. Click a pin to open the place.
Best time to visit castles in the United Kingdom
When sightseeing is most pleasant: comfortable 18–26 °C daytime temperatures and more dry days. Averaged over the places on this page.
ERA5 climate data 2015–2024 (Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), averaged for the places on this page.
Tickets: what it costs to visit castles in the United Kingdom
Adult entrance prices, cheapest first. What the ticket includes and what you can see for free.
| Place | Region | Adult ticket | Ticket includes | Free without a ticket | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beaumaris Castle | Wales | £10.40 | Castle | — | From 1 Sep 2026; ages 5–17 £7.20, under 5 free |
| Conwy Castle | Wales | £12.90 | Castle | — | 5% off when booked online; children under 5 free |
| Caernarfon Castle | Wales | £14.90 | Castle and Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum | — | 5% off when booked online; children under 5 free |
| Edinburgh Castle | Scotland | £23.50–26 | Castle | — | £23.50 online, £26 at the gate; adults aged 16–64 |
| Windsor Castle | South East England | £32–36 | State Apartments, Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House and St George’s Chapel | — | £32 booked in advance, £36 on the day; closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays |
| Tower of London | London | £37 | Castle, Crown Jewels and Yeoman Warder tours | — | Children 5–15 £18.50, under 5 free |
Prices checked: 10.2026. Always check the official website before you go.
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