In search of the perfect free castles to go to in England and the UK? You’re in the appropriate place. Listed here 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 succeed in 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 possibly can’t assist however really feel such as you’re moving into a distinct period while 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 might have been round for hundreds of years, and lots of have been destroyed over time, however there are nonetheless loads of castles and fortified homes left to see- without spending a dime!
The Finest Free castles in England
The historical past of England is chock stuffed with unbelievable battles and the constructing of castles. Like the remainder of the UK, they’re in all places.
What’s fascinating about them is how the structure changes- and the course of the defences, relying on the enemy. There are PLENTY of castles to get pleasure from on an England street journey, however listed below are among 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 present.
The citadel has been the setting of many movies, together with Harry Potter and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
Parking for folks with restricted mobility is on the market on Fort Sq. and in the principle automotive 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 citadel was based by King John and was constructed to guard in opposition to 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 Automotive Park is positioned simply off Rivington Lane and supplies entry to a tree-lined avenue that may take you on to the citadel.
Throughout its lengthy historical past, the citadel 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 brought on by flooding. It’s simply ruins now, however it’s a beautiful stroll and an excellent 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 obtained land from Henry II to construct the fortress however was imprisoned at Nottingham Fort after becoming a member of a riot led by Thomas Becket.
The citadel 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 get pleasure from if you want.
Eye Fort
Location: 35 Fort St, Eye IP23 7AW
Eye Fort is a medieval hilltop break, constructed by William Malet. The Fort website has not too long ago 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 on the market close to the cross road automotive park and there are additionally bathrooms near this parking zone.
There are additionally stays of a medieval fishpond that may be seen, together with the unique drawbridge.
The citadel 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.
Finest free citadel in Scotland
I defy you to get pleasure from a Scotland street journey with out passing a citadel. They’re EVERYWHERE.
Certainly, among the most scenic drives in Scotland embody lots 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 citadel in Scotland. It was in-built 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 should take you lower than quarter-hour to stroll from the freeway by the wooded space and over a small creek, up in the direction of Kilchurn Fort.
Throughout its lengthy historical past, Kilchurn Fort has served numerous 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 citadel 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.
Finest Free Fort in Wales
Wales additionally has loads of unbelievable castles and historic buildings to get pleasure from. When you’re motorhoming in Wales, you possibly can even keep in a few of their automotive parks. However right here is considered one of 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 manage Wales. It is without doubt one of the most necessary castles in Wales and has been described as Britain’s best instance of medieval army structure.
The citadel 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 automotive park to the citadel 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 nicely price taking a while out of your Wales street journey to discover this space.
At this time, 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 citadel, which is open to the general public.
It is usually doable to wander across the grounds at your leisure. There’s a small museum contained in the hold, which supplies an perception into life at Harlech Fort throughout medieval instances.
Finest Free Fort in Northern Eire
Northern Eire has numerous unbelievable historical past and locations to go to. However for those who’re on the lookout for a free citadel, head to the Grand Belfast resort.
Grand Belfast resort
Location: 9-15 Bedford St, Belfast BT2 7FF
The Grand Belfast Fort stands proud on the grounds of Cave Hill Nation Park, overlooking the town. It enjoys breathtaking views of Belfast and the encompassing countryside because of its elevated place.
In 1806, the citadel 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 have been dropped at the citadel to recuperate and it served as a base for the army throughout WWII, then later turned a youth hostel.
Throughout the Seventies it was deserted however restored in 1980 as a resort and to serve as soon as once more as an attraction with guided excursions supplied every day by summer time months (April-October).
You’ll be able to park your automotive on the Nice Northern multi-storey automotive park to reap the benefits of a particular price. When you do, the resort will validate your parking ticket for £10 per 24-hour. When you’re in a motorhome, you’ll want to search out various parking as they’ll’t match within the multi-storey.
We hope you discovered that checklist of the perfect free castles in England and the UK helpful. Listed here are some extra UK posts you may discover useful:
