In search of one of the best free castles to go to in England and the UK? You’re in the suitable place. Listed below are a few of our favourites.
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Finest Free Castles within the UK
There’s one thing about castles.
Possibly it’s the way in which their stone partitions appear to achieve towards the sky, or how they all the time appear to be constructed on excessive floor.
Possibly it’s the way in which they take you again in time, or perhaps it’s simply that they’re simply so darn imposing – you may’t assist however really feel such as you’re entering into a distinct period once you’re inside one.
No matter it’s, there’s no denying that the UK is fortunate sufficient to have a LOT of those unbelievable buildings, and they’re all an enormous a part of British historical past.
They could have been round for hundreds of years, and plenty of have been destroyed over time, however there are nonetheless loads of castles and fortified homes left to see- without cost!
The Finest Free castles in England
The historical past of England is chock filled with unbelievable battles and the constructing of castles. Like the remainder of the UK, they’re in every single place.
What’s fascinating about them is how the structure changes- and the path of the defences, relying on the enemy. There are PLENTY of castles to take pleasure in on an England highway journey, however listed here are a number of the finest free to go to ones.
Alnwick Citadel
Location: Alnwick NE66 1NQ
Alnwick Citadel is likely one of the largest inhabited castles in England. Its development was ordered by William II (Rufus), who was King of England from 1087-1100 and his descendants (the Percy’s) nonetheless reside there right now.
The fort has been the setting of many movies, together with Harry Potter and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
Parking for folks with restricted mobility is obtainable on Citadel Sq. and in the primary automobile park at The Alnwick Backyard. The Citadel has been open to the general public since 1938 and is likely one of the most visited points of interest in Northumberland. It’s a Grade I listed constructing, as are its gardens, that are additionally open to guests from March to October.
Liverpool Citadel
Location: Rivington, Bolton BL6 7SB
Liverpool Citadel is a medieval fortification within the village of Rivington, Chorley, Lancashire, England. (NO- it’s not in Liverpool!)
The fort was based by King John and was constructed to guard towards Scottish raids from throughout the river Ribble. It was constructed someday between 1207 and 1210 and was designed to be defended by solely a small variety of troopers as a result of it was additionally a royal residence for the king.
Rivington Reservoir Automobile Park is positioned simply off Rivington Lane and gives entry to a tree-lined avenue that may take you on to the fort.
Throughout its lengthy historical past, the fort has undergone many modifications, together with being captured by the Scots in 1319 and retaken by the English military solely six years later.
Liverpool Citadel remained in use till 1536 when it was deserted as a consequence of structural issues attributable to flooding. It’s simply ruins now, nevertheless it’s a beautiful stroll and a terrific place for legs (massive & little) to stretch themselves.
Peveril Citadel
Location: Market Pl, Castleton, Hope Valley S33 8WQ
The stays of Peveril Citadel sit in an imposing location, overlooking the favored village of Castleton within the Peak District. It dates again to 1153 and was constructed by William Peveril, a Norman knight who fought below William the Conqueror on the Battle of Hastings.
William obtained land from Henry II to construct the fortress however was imprisoned at Nottingham Citadel after becoming a member of a revolt led by Thomas Becket.
The fort was besieged by King John in 1216 however managed to carry out till the king’s demise, after which it was captured by his successor Henry III.
The positioning is free to enter and the customer centre is positioned on the backside of a hill, with ample parking areas. There are additionally a number of cafes to take pleasure in if you want.
Eye Citadel
Location: 35 Citadel St, Eye IP23 7AW
Eye Citadel is a medieval hilltop spoil, constructed by William Malet. The Citadel web site has lately been restored and revamped, opening new areas to discover and offering a viewing platform providing great views of the church,
You’ll be able to see for miles over the encompassing countryside. Parking is obtainable close to the cross avenue automobile park and there are additionally bogs near this parking zone.
There are additionally stays of a medieval fishpond that may be seen, together with the unique drawbridge.
The fort is an effective place to go to if you wish to be taught extra concerning the historical past of Eye and its surrounding space. There are additionally some nice walks across the village, together with a stroll up the hill to see the city’s windmill.
Finest free fort in Scotland
I defy you to take pleasure in a Scotland highway journey with out passing a fort. They’re EVERYWHERE.
Certainly, a number of the most scenic drives in Scotland embody a lot of them on their itinerary. However right here is likely one of the finest free to go to castles in Scotland.
Kilchurn Citadel
Location: Lochawe, Dalmally PA33 1AF
Kilchurn Citadel is the oldest fort in Scotland. It was inbuilt about 1450 and has been handed down by way of 4 generations of the Campbell household.
There’s a free parking space on the entrance to Loch Awe off A85, and there’s room for vans when you’re motorhoming in Scotland. It’ll take you lower than quarter-hour to stroll from the freeway by way of the wooded space and over a small creek, up in direction of Kilchurn Citadel.
Throughout its lengthy historical past, Kilchurn Citadel has served varied features: first as an administrative centre for the Romans; then as a clan fortress throughout Scotland’s Wars of Independence (1250-1300); and later as a state jail within the seventeenth century.
For the reason that early 1900s, this magnificent fort has been open to the general public and is now a preferred vacationer attraction. Guests can step again in time and get a glimpse of what life was like for royalty throughout Scotland’s medieval interval.
Finest Free Citadel in Wales
Wales additionally has loads of unbelievable castles and historic buildings to take pleasure in. Should you’re motorhoming in Wales, you may even keep in a few of their automobile parks. However right here is one in all our favorite free to go to castles.
Harlech Citadel
Location: Harlech Citadel, Harlech LL46 2YH
Harlech Citadel was constructed by English kings within the early fifteenth century, as a stronghold to regulate Wales. It is likely one of the most vital castles in Wales and has been described as Britain’s most interesting instance of medieval navy structure.
The fort is perched on a rocky outcrop, with dramatic views over Tremadog Bay. There’s ample parking close by, though you do must pay. You’ll be able to stroll from the automobile park to the fort itself, however if you wish to see extra of the grounds, there’s a narrow-gauge railway that runs round them.
The views are spectacular and effectively value taking a while out of your Wales highway journey to discover this space.
Immediately, Harlech Citadel is a vacationer attraction and a preferred filming location for films and TV exhibits together with A Knight’s Story, Physician Who, Merlin and Braveheart. There are guided excursions by way of the fort, which is open to the general public.
It is usually attainable to wander across the grounds at your leisure. There’s a small museum contained in the preserve, which gives an perception into life at Harlech Citadel throughout medieval instances.
Finest Free Citadel in Northern Eire
Northern Eire has a number of unbelievable historical past and locations to go to. However when you’re searching for a free fort, head to the Grand Belfast lodge.
Grand Belfast lodge
Location: 9-15 Bedford St, Belfast BT2 7FF
The Grand Belfast Citadel stands proud on the grounds of Cave Hill Nation Park, overlooking the town. It enjoys breathtaking views of Belfast and the encompassing countryside as a consequence of its elevated place.
In 1806, the fort was destroyed by fireplace. Within the nineteenth century, it grew to become half of a giant property that included a deer park and golf course.
Throughout WWI wounded troopers had been dropped at the fort to recuperate and it served as a base for the navy throughout WWII, then later grew to become a youth hostel.
In the course of the Seventies it was deserted however restored in 1980 as a lodge and to serve as soon as once more as an attraction with guided excursions supplied each day by way of summer time months (April-October).
You’ll be able to park your automobile on the Nice Northern multi-storey automobile park to make the most of a particular charge. Should you do, the lodge will validate your parking ticket for £10 per 24-hour. Should you’re in a motorhome, you’ll want to seek out different parking as they will’t match within the multi-storey.
We hope you discovered that checklist of one of the best free castles in England and the UK helpful. Listed below are some extra UK posts you would possibly discover useful:
