Castles in the UK have always fascinated travelers, from the time they were built to the modern castles built a century or two ago. These buildings take visitors on a wonderful journey to learn about the lives of kings, queens, princes and princesses, and for some of the tourists and more is blocked by the stories of ghosts and myths that revolve around any of them.
Castles in the UK have always been a fascination for travelers. These beautiful constructions help us learn more about the lives of kings, queens, princes, princesses, and for those of us interested, many stories about ghosts and other interesting mysts!
About 5,000 fortifications have been built in the British Isles since the Norman conquest (1066) to date, and most of them are surrounded by fantastic stories and mythological legends. Many of them were originally made of wood and then rebuilt using stone. These monuments have been raised not only as royal monuments and symbols of authority, but also as fortresses to keep the inhabitants safe and to protect the country from conflicts and wars. Over the centuries, many of the castles in the United Kingdom have became ruins. Others have been preserved in impeccable condition and are still inhabited, but most of them become tourist attractions.
England, Wales and Scotland are the home of some of the most famous and visited castles in the world. We would like to highlight five most important castles:
Warwick Castle. Warwick Castle is located in Warwickshire in England and was built in 1068 by King William and remained inhabited until 25 years ago by generations of the Earls and Warwick family. The castle hosted a huge number of historical events between its walls, including the story of the family of King Edward IV. In 1978, the castle was sold to a media and entertainment group, and is currently a tourist attraction
Windsor Castle. Windsor is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the whole world, with a history dating back more than 900 years filled with incredible events. There are many houses, a large church and a royal palace on the grounds of the castle. The castle was built on a cliff overlooking the Thames, about 30 km from London, its walls were carefully constructed to defend the population against any threat, and its location was chosen because it was a day’s distance from the Tower of London. At present, Windsor Castle is home to Queen Elizabeth II’s weekend retreat, but there are also many open rooms for visits open to the public and tourists.
Holyroodhouse Palace. This castle is located in the city of Edinburgh, the official residence of the British Monarch in Scotland and situated just across the Edinburgh Castle. The amazing construction was built in the seventeenth century and houses the suites of Mary, Queen of Scotland, which are open to the public. It is said that the palace is haunted by Bald Agnes, who was accused of witchcraft.
Caernarfon Castle. The largest castle in northern Wales is the Caernarfoncastle, built at the request of King Edward I in the Roman era as an opening to Snowdonia. This was the largest castle of King Edward, but also the official royal residence of the Government of Northern Wales. Construction of the castle began in 1283 and continued for more than 50 years, and some of its parts are still incomplete today. Located on the banks of the Seitn River, the castle has two enclosed courtyards in the middle, surrounded by a series of polygonal towers and thick walls overlooking the new English city of Caernarfon.
London Tower. The Tower of London is a castle located on the north bank of the River Thames in central London. The Tower of London is in an excellent location and is considered one of the most important sights of the city. The real name of the tower is actually Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London. It was originally built as a royal palace and defensive citadel, at the request of King William. During the Second World War it was used as a camp for prisoners of war. Queen Anne Boelyn was beheaded here in 1536, together with many others. The last execution took place on August 14, 1941, when Joseph Jacobs, a German spy, was shot. For centuries, the Tower of London hosted the jewels of the British Crown, valued at at least $20 billion.
There are many castles worth visiting in the UK. It all depends on where you are staying or how willing you are to travel. Each castle has a unique history, all of which will make your journey unforgettable for the rest of your life.
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