On the lookout for the very best free castles to go to in England and the UK? You’re in the appropriate place. Listed below are a few of our favourites.
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Greatest Free Castles within the UK
There’s one thing about castles.
Possibly it’s the best way 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 best way 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 whenever you’re inside one.
No matter it’s, there’s no denying that the UK is fortunate sufficient to have a LOT of those unimaginable buildings, and they’re all an enormous a part of British historical past.
They might have been round for hundreds of years, and plenty of have been destroyed over time, however even wandering by fortress ruins could make a enjoyable day out- particularly if it’s free!
The Greatest Free castles in England
The historical past of England is chock filled with unimaginable battles and the constructing of castles. Like the remainder of the UK, they’re all over the place.
What’s fascinating about them is how the structure changes- and the route of the defences, relying on the enemy. There are PLENTY of castles to take pleasure in on an England street journey, however listed below are a number of the finest free to go to ones.
Alnwick Fort
Location: Alnwick NE66 1NQ
Alnwick Fort is without doubt one of the largest inhabited castles in England. Its building was ordered by William II (Rufus), who was King of England from 1087-1100 and his descendants (the Percy’s) nonetheless dwell there at this time.
The fortress has been the setting of many movies, together with Harry Potter and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
Parking for individuals with restricted mobility is obtainable on Fort Sq. and in the primary automobile park at The Alnwick Backyard. The Fort has been open to the general public since 1938 and is without doubt one of the most visited sights in Northumberland. It’s a Grade I listed constructing, as are its gardens, that are additionally open to guests from March to October.
Liverpool Fort
Location: Rivington, Bolton BL6 7SB
Liverpool Fort is a medieval fortification within the village of Rivington, Chorley, Lancashire, England. (NO- it’s not in Liverpool!)
The fortress 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 situated simply off Rivington Lane and supplies entry to a tree-lined avenue that can take you on to the fortress.
Throughout its lengthy historical past, the fortress has undergone many modifications, together with being captured by the Scots in 1319 and retaken by the English military solely six years later.
Liverpool Fort remained in use till 1536 when it was deserted because of structural issues attributable to flooding. It’s simply ruins now, but it surely’s a beautiful stroll and an ideal place for legs (huge & little) to stretch themselves.
Peveril Fort
Location: Market Pl, Castleton, Hope Valley S33 8WQ
The stays of Peveril Fort 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 beneath William the Conqueror on the Battle of Hastings.
William acquired land from Henry II to construct the fortress however was imprisoned at Nottingham Fort after becoming a member of a rebel led by Thomas Becket.
The fortress 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 situated 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 Fort
Location: 35 Fort St, Eye IP23 7AW
Eye Fort is a medieval hilltop wreck, constructed by William Malet. The Fort web site has not too long ago been restored and revamped, opening new areas to discover and offering a viewing platform providing fantastic 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 bathrooms near this car parking zone.
There are additionally stays of a medieval fishpond that may be seen, together with the unique drawbridge.
The fortress is an effective place to go to if you wish to study 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.
Greatest free fortress in Scotland
I defy you to take pleasure in a Scotland street journey with out passing a fortress. They’re EVERYWHERE.
Certainly, a number of the most scenic drives in Scotland embrace a lot of them on their itinerary. However right here is without doubt one of the finest free to go to castles in Scotland.
Kilchurn Fort
Location: Lochawe, Dalmally PA33 1AF
Kilchurn Fort is the oldest fortress in Scotland. It was inbuilt about 1450 and has been handed down by 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 for those who’re motorhoming in Scotland. It can take you lower than quarter-hour to stroll from the freeway by the wooded space and over a small creek, up in direction of Kilchurn Fort.
Throughout its lengthy historical past, Kilchurn Fort has served varied capabilities: 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 fortress has been open to the general public and is now a well-liked vacationer attraction. Guests can step again in time and get a glimpse of what life was like for royalty throughout Scotland’s medieval interval.
Greatest Free Fort in Wales
Wales additionally has loads of unimaginable 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 among our favorite free to go to castles.
Harlech Fort
Location: Harlech Fort, Harlech LL46 2YH
Harlech Fort was constructed by English kings within the early fifteenth century, as a stronghold to regulate Wales. It is without doubt one of the most essential castles in Wales and has been described as Britain’s most interesting instance of medieval navy structure.
The fortress is perched on a rocky outcrop, with dramatic views over Tremadog Bay. There’s ample parking close by, though you do have to pay. You’ll be able to stroll from the automobile park to the fortress 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 street journey to discover this space.
Right now, Harlech Fort is a vacationer attraction and a well-liked filming location for films and TV exhibits together with A Knight’s Story, Physician Who, Merlin and Braveheart. There are guided excursions by the fortress, 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 supplies an perception into life at Harlech Fort throughout medieval occasions.
Greatest Free Fort in Northern Eire
Northern Eire has a whole lot of unimaginable historical past and locations to go to. However for those who’re on the lookout for a free fortress, head to the Grand Belfast lodge.
Belfast Fort
Location: 9-15 Bedford St, Belfast BT2 7FF
Belfast Fort stands proud on the grounds of Cave Hill Nation Park, overlooking town. It enjoys breathtaking views of Belfast and the encompassing countryside because of its elevated place.
In 1806, the fortress was destroyed by hearth. Within the nineteenth century, it turned half of a giant property that included a deer park and golf course.
Throughout WWI wounded troopers had been delivered to the fortress to recuperate and it served as a base for the navy throughout WWII, then later turned a youth hostel.
Throughout the Seventies it was deserted however restored in 1980 to serve as soon as once more as an attraction with guided excursions supplied each day by summer season months (April-October).
You’ll be able to park your automobile on the Nice Northern multi-storey automobile park to reap the benefits of a particular price. 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 listing of the very best free castles in England and the UK helpful. Listed below are some extra UK posts you may discover useful:
