Last updated: 11 July 2023
It’s amazing that there are so many great castles and ruins so close to London. Jump in a hire car and head out a day or a weekend trip and visit any one these castles near London.
Step back to your childhood dreams of princesses, royalty and warriors when you explore towers that were once look-out for sentries and crumbling ruins that were once walked upon by knights. Pick one or multiple to visit in a day, BYO picnic and make a day of it.
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Windsor Castle, Berkshire
One can’t talk of England and castles without mentioning Windsor. Built in the 11th century after the Norman invasion by William the Conqueror, Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world.
A visit to Windsor Castle includes the statement apartments which house the finest works of art from the Royal Collection including paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens and Canaletto, a visit to St George’s Chapel which was the location of the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s in May 2018, and a Precinct Tour with one of the Castle’s wardens.
Fondly referred to as Queen Elizabeth II’s favourite weekend home, be sure to time your visit to Windsor Castle for the Changing the Guard, which has been carried out since 1660. The ceremony begins at 11am and lasts approximately 30 minutes, weather permitting, it is England after all!
- Distance from London: < an hour
- Postcode: SL4 1NJ
- Book Tickets
READ MORE: 18 Iconic London Landmarks You Can’t Miss
Leeds Castle, Kent
Don’t let the name mislead you, Leeds Castle is a long way from the city of Leeds. Built in 1119 as a Norman stronghold, Leeds Castle is less than 50 miles from London in the county of Kent.
Leeds Castle is more a stately home on a grand property rather than a crumbling fortress, it has been the property of six of England’s medieval queens; including Catherine of Aragon, first wife of King Henry VIII who transformed it from a fortified stronghold to a magnificent Tudor palace. While it didn’t end well for Catherine, Henry divorced her but at least she kept her head!
During the 1930s, the new owner, Heiress the Hon. Olive Paget (Aka Lady Baillie) transformed Leeds Castle into one of the great English country houses and made it the centre of lavish parties, hosting statesmen, European royalty and film stars.
When Lady Baillie died in 1974 she left the castle and the grounds to a charity whose main aim was, and still is, to preserve the castle for future generations to enjoy. Today a visit to Leeds Castle is incomplete without a visit to the impressive hedge maze, grotto and a thorough stroll through the extensive grounds and gardens.
- Distance from London: 1.25-1.5 hours
- Postcode: ME17 1PL
- Book Tickets
Castles Near London Map
Rochester Castle, Kent
Strategically placed to guard an important crossing of the River Medway, this imposing fortress has a complex history of destruction and rebuilding.
This Norman tower-keep of Kentish ragstone dates back to the 12th century and still stands as a prominent feature of the city of Rochester, dominating the skyline from a top of the hill, standing at 113 feet high.
In 1215, the castle endured an epic siege which resulted in the southern corner crashing down. The castle was rebuilt under Henry III and Edward I, the castle remained as a viable fortress until the sixteenth century.
The fortress has been included in the works of artists and writers, including diarist Samuel Pepys and Charles Dickens who lived in Rochester and included the castle ruins in The Pickwick Papers and The Mystery of Edwin Drood.
- Distance from London: ~ an hour
- Postcode: ME1 1SW
- Ticket Prices and Opening Times
READ MORE: Cutty Sark – World’s Fastest Tea Clipper
Highclere Castle, North Wessex
Situated in the North Wessex Downs is Highclere Castle, although you might know it as a filming location for Downton Abbey. Highclere Castle has a rich, multi-faceted heritage with records dating back to 749AD.
Highclere is open to the public for general admission at specific times throughout the year. April, May and a couple of months over the summer is when visitors can explore the grounds and attend special events such as the Highclere Castle Battle Proms Concert, a full two hour programme of captivating classical music.
- Distance from London: 1.5 hours
- Postcode: RG20 9RN
- Book a day trip from London
Arundel Castle, West Sussex
Founded at the end of the 11th century by Roger de Montgomery on Christmas Day 1067. Arundel Castle has been the family home of the Dukes of Norfolk and their ancestors for more than 950 years making it one of the longest inhabited country houses in England.
Be sure to visit the Keep, the gardens and Fitzalan Chapel, a burial ground for the members of the family of owners, the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk.
- Distance from London: 1.75-2 hours
- Postcode: BN18 9AB
- Book Tickets
Dover Castle, Kent
The largest castle in England and one of the most imposing of all English fortresses, Dover Castle is built on the iconic White Cliffs in the 11th century.
The strategic location on the country’s coastline showcased it’s defensive intentions, serving as a Roman lighthouse, an underground hospital, and the secret wartime tunnels from which England commanded many operations like Operation Dynamo, the evacuation of Allied soldiers from the beaches and harbour of Dunkirk during World War II.
- Distance from London: 1.5 hours
- Postcode: CT16 1HU
- Book Tickets
READ MORE: 15 Fun Day Trips from London by Car under 2 hours
Portchester Castle, Hampshire
Situated in the northern end of Portsmouth Harbour, Portchester Castle founded in the late 11th century. A fortification and a residence of Kings. Norman kings used it when crossing the Channel, while Richard II built a palace within the walls, and it served as a rallying point for the troops who embarked from here on the expedition that led to the Battle of Agincourt in 1451.
The impressive waterfront-facing outer walls are of a Roman fortress. Reaching to their full height, they are the most complete in Europe. From the top of the Norman keep there are spectacular views over the castle and harbour town of Portsmouth.
- Distance from London: 1.75 hours
- Postcode: PO16 9QW
- Ticket Prices and Opening Times
Deal Castle, Kent
As one of the earliest and most elaborate of a chain of coastal forts, Deal Castle was built by the order of King Henry VIII in 1539-40 to defend the south coast of England from invasion. It remains one of the finest Tudor artillery castles in England.
The circular keep has openings in the walls where handguns could be fired and circular shafts that took gun smoke out through the roof. Explore the three floors of this circular labyrinthine keep, the ramparts and the atmospheric tunnels in the basement.
- Distance from London: 1.75 hours
- Postcode: CT14 7BA
- Ticket Prices and Opening Times
READ MORE: Kent – The Weekend Road Trip
Orford Castle, Suffolk
Built between 1165 and 1173 by Henry II of England to consolidate royal power in the region. What makes Orford Castle unique is the polygonal tower keep which stands beside the pretty town and former port.
The castle is a maze of passages which allows visitors to explore from the basement, through the lower and upper halls, the chapel, kitchen and finally to the roof where there are magnificent views seaward to Orford Ness.
- Distance from London: 2.5 hours
- Postcode: IP12 2ND
- Ticket Prices and Opening Times
Pevensey Castle, East Sussex
With a history stretching back over 16 centuries, Pevensey Castle chronicles more graphically than any other fortress the story of Britain’s south coast defences. This is one of our favourite castles near London to visit because of its remarkable history and the role it played during the Norman conquest on 1066 AD.
If you’d like to find out more about Pevensey Castle then we suggest having a read of our post covering everything you need to know about a visit to Pevensey Castle and why it remains one of our personal favourite castle ruins in the UK.
Beginning in the 4th century, Pevensey was one of the last and strongest of the Roman forts, two-thirds of the towered walls still stand today. It was the landing place of William the Conqueror’s army in 1066, and after the Conquest it became a full-scale Norman castle, with a great square keep and a powerful gatehouse.
- Distance from London: 2 hours
- Postcode: TN32 5UA
- Tickets Prices and Opening Times
READ MORE: Discover 1600 Years of History at Pevensey Castle
Bodiam Castle, Kent
A 14th century moated castle with spiral staircases, battlements and a portcullis makes Bodiam one of Britain’s most picturesque and romantic ancient monuments. Bodiam Castle was one of the first castles we visited when we first arrived in London and boy did it make a lasting impression. It is truly a magnificent castle and definitely should be visited by all.
When exploring the impressive grounds, don’t miss the gatehouse with it’s rare and original wooden portcullis!
- Distance from London: 1.5-1.75 hours
- Postcode: BN24 5LE
- Tickets Prices and Opening Times
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Oooooooooh, this is my summer taken care of then!