The United Kingdom offers an abundance of castles! From medieval fortresses to grand Victorian palaces, many castles near London await your exploration on unforgettable day trips.
England alone is home to approximately 4,000 castles, so visiting one or two during a trip is a must. But how do you decide which ones to visit?
The easiest to start with are the castles and palaces within greater London. The Tower of London (home of the Crown Jewel collection) and Kensington Palace are both open year round. Buckingham Palace, the King’s official London residence, is open to the public for 10 weeks each summer.
After you’ve explored the castles of London you may be ready to travel a bit farther afield.
Several well-known castles (and a few hidden gems) near London make for perfect day trip destinations. If you’re using London as your base this list is a great place to start!
Arundel Castle
Arundel Castle in West Sussex has been the ancestral home of the Dukes of Norfolk for over 850 years.
The gardens alone are worth a visit, but the inside of the castle is beautiful too. Reconstructed extensively in the late 1800s, the Gothic-style castle stands as one of Victorian England’s great architectural achievements.
The oldest part of the castle is the motte, an artificial mound over 100 feet high built in 1068. Henry II constructed most of the castle’s oldest sections in the 12th century.
The castle still belongs to the Duke of Norfolk, who is also the Earl Marshal of England. He’s responsible for organizing major ceremonial state events such as the opening of Parliament, the Queen’s funeral and the King’s Coronation.
The castle is located about 60 miles south of London, with a picturesque location overlooking the South Downs.
You can reach Arundel by car from London in about two hours, or by train from London Victoria in about an hour and 20 minutes. Arundel Castle is about 15 minutes walk from the Arundel train station.
Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace was the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. It is one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in England.
The castle sits amidst a romantic parkland created by Capability Brown, England’s most famous landscape gardener. Blenheim Palace gained UNESCO World Heritage Status in 1987.
The castle and its grounds served as key filming locations for Netflix’s “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story”.
Explore the state rooms and the rooms belonging to the Dukes of Marlborough and their families. Walk in Churchill’s footsteps through the grounds, visiting the places he most enjoyed including where he proposed to his future wife, Clementine Hozier.
You can reach Blenheim Palace by car in about 1.5 hours or by taking a train from London Paddington to Oxford and then continuing by bus to the palace. Or you can take a guided tour to Blenheim Palace from London.
Bodiam Castle
Bodiam Castle in East Sussex is one of England’s most picturesque castles. The 14th century square moated castle is everything you’d expect from a medieval fortress.
The castle was sold following the English Civil War and the interior was dismantled by the 17th century. While it is largely in ruins, renovations in the 19th century restored it to what you can see today.
The interiors are still in ruins, but you can explore the towers and battlements and imagine what it would have been like to take part in a feast as you stand in the Great Room.
The easiest way to get to Bodiam Castle is by car, it’s about a 2 hour drive. You can also take a train to Robertsbridge, about an hour from central London, and arrange a private taxi to take you from the station to the castle and back.
Dover Castle
Dover Castle in Kent is an icon of British history, towering over the White Cliffs of Dover. William the Conqueror built the fortifications shortly after the 1066 Battle of Hastings, and King Henry II began constructing the current castle in the 1180s.
King Henry VIII extensively refurbished the Royal Apartments in the Great Tower. Royals last used the castle in 1625, after which it fell into disrepair. During the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars, the castle was extensively used once again to defend England against potential approaches across the English Channel.
The castle found new use during both WWI and WWII as both a military base and a significant coastal defense. In 1942-43 a vital communications center was created by enlarging the existing tunnels beneath the castle. Here they developed parts of Operation Neptune, the naval component of the D-Day invasions.
You can reach Dover Castle in about 2 hours by car, or by a combination of train to Dover Priory and bus up to the castle. Small group tours from London to Dover are also available.
Hampton Court Palace
Hampton Court Palace is one of the easiest castles to get to, located only about 45 minutes by train from central London in the borough of Richmond.
This royal palace is a member of Historic Royal Palaces, along with the Tower of London and Kensington Palace, so if you’re planning to visit two or three of the palaces it may be worth considering a membership.
Cardinal Wolsey built the Tudor palace in 1514, and it was later taken over by King Henry VIII. Henry VIII brought all of his six wives to the palace, where he hosted lavish feasts and led an extravagant courtly life.
King William III and Queen Mary II initially planned to demolish the palace, but architect Sir Christopher Wren preserved much of the Tudor structure and added Fountain Court instead.
In 1838 Queen Victoria decreed that Hampton Court should be open to the public, and today it’s a magnet for visitors. It’s also the site of two annual festivals, the Hampton Court Music Festival and the RHS Flower Show.
The easiest way to get to Hampton Court is by train from Waterloo Station. You can also take a private tour to Hampton Court Palace from London, which I highly recommend.
Hever Castle
Just 30 miles south of London in Kent, the 700 year old Hever Castle was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn. Anne Boleyn was the second wife of Henry VIII and the mother of Queen Elizabeth I.
After Anne of Cleves, one of Henry VIII’s wives, owned the castle, it passed through the hands of various families from the late 1550s onward.
In 1903 William Waldorf Astor purchased Hever Castle and began restoring it. The castle restoration was finished in 1906, followed by the completion of the grounds in 1908. All original castle structures were preserved during the restoration, and renovations were carried out using 16th-century techniques.
You can reach the castle by car in about an hour and a half or by train in approximately an hour. You can take the train to Edenbridge Town Station and take a taxi the 3 miles to the castle, or disembark at Hever station and walk about a mile to the castle.
Highclere Castle
Best known as the setting for Downton Abbey, Highclere Castle in Hampshire has been the home of the Carnarvon family since 1679.
In 1842 Sir Charles Berry, the designer of London’s Houses of Parliament, transformed what was Highclere House into the Highclere Castle that we know today.
Of the castle’s 200+ rooms, approximately 15 are open to the public. Along with several of the state rooms featured in Downton Abbey you can also tour the Egyptian exhibit.
While most people are familiar with Howard Carter’s discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922, many don’t realize that the man standing next to him on that fateful day was the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, who financed the expedition to find the tomb.
During WWI, the 5th Countess of Carnarvon converted the castle into a hospital. WWII saw the castle used as a home for children evacuated from London to protect them from the Blitz.
The castle is accessible by car in about 2 hours, or by taking the train to Newbury and then a taxi to the castle. Note the phone number for the taxi company, you’ll want to call for a ride back to the station. There are also a variety of Downton Abbey themed tours from London available.
Leeds Castle
Leeds Castle in Kent was formerly a home of Henry VIII and his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. The castle has been a Norman stronghold and a home for six of England’s medieval queens. It includes both a moat and a yew-tree maze.
In the 1620s the Tudor castle was demolished and replaced with a Jacobean mansion. Unfortunately by the 1820s the entire property was beginning to crumble.
The Jacobean mansion was demolished, and a Tudor-style New Castle was built in its place. After the owners acquired additional surrounding land in 1895 Leeds Castle became one of the largest private estates in Kent.
By 1925 the owners were in financial difficulty and needed to sell the castle and lands. They were purchased by an Anglo-American heiress, who was known as Lady Baillie after her third marriage.
Leeds Castle once again became one of England’s great country homes in the 1920s. Lady Baillie had a largely medieval castle recreated, with interiors redone by Stephane Boudin. As the president of Parisian design firm Maison Jansen, he also did work for the Duke and Duchess of Windsor and Jacqueline Kennedy. His interior designs remain visible in the castle today.
You can reach Leeds Castle by car from London in about an hour and a half. Train service is also available to Maidstone East from London Victoria. From Maidstone East take the 10X bus to the Leeds Castle stop.
Windsor Castle
Located only 40 minutes west of London, Windsor Castle is the official residence of the King. It is also the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. It’s also one of the most popular castles near London to visit on a day trip.
William the Conqueror founded the castle in the 11th century. It has since been home to the Royal Family and over 40 British monarchs.
The State Apartments are extensive, and there are many highlights to see including the Waterloo Chamber and the Grand Staircase. On certain days of the week you can also visit St. George’s Chapel. This royal chapel has been the site of numerous royal weddings. Henry VIII and Charles I are among the 10 kings buried in the chapel. It is also the burial place of Queen Elizabeth II.
You can reach Windsor Castle from central London in about an hour by car or train. Or you can take a private tour from London to Windsor Castle with an expert guide, which I would recommend.
The bottom line: Castles near London to visit
Whether you’re looking for a medieval castle or a baroque palace, there are plenty of castles near London. The only question now is which one to visit next.
The United Kingdom offers an abundance of castles! From medieval fortresses to grand Victorian palaces, many castles near London await your exploration on unforgettable day trips.
England alone is home to approximately 4,000 castles, so visiting one or two during a trip is a must. But how do you decide which ones to visit?
The easiest to start with are the castles and palaces within greater London. The Tower of London (home of the Crown Jewel collection) and Kensington Palace are both open year round. Buckingham Palace, the King’s official London residence, is open to the public for 10 weeks each summer.
After you’ve explored the castles of London you may be ready to travel a bit farther afield.
Several well-known castles (and a few hidden gems) near London make for perfect day trip destinations. If you’re using London as your base this list is a great place to start!
Arundel Castle
Arundel Castle in West Sussex has been the ancestral home of the Dukes of Norfolk for over 850 years.
The gardens alone are worth a visit, but the inside of the castle is beautiful too. Reconstructed extensively in the late 1800s, the Gothic-style castle stands as one of Victorian England’s great architectural achievements.
The oldest part of the castle is the motte, an artificial mound over 100 feet high built in 1068. Henry II constructed most of the castle’s oldest sections in the 12th century.
The castle still belongs to the Duke of Norfolk, who is also the Earl Marshal of England. He’s responsible for organizing major ceremonial state events such as the opening of Parliament, the Queen’s funeral and the King’s Coronation.
The castle is located about 60 miles south of London, with a picturesque location overlooking the South Downs.
You can reach Arundel by car from London in about two hours, or by train from London Victoria in about an hour and 20 minutes. Arundel Castle is about 15 minutes walk from the Arundel train station.
Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace was the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. It is one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in England.
The castle sits amidst a romantic parkland created by Capability Brown, England’s most famous landscape gardener. Blenheim Palace gained UNESCO World Heritage Status in 1987.
The castle and its grounds served as key filming locations for Netflix’s “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story”.
Explore the state rooms and the rooms belonging to the Dukes of Marlborough and their families. Walk in Churchill’s footsteps through the grounds, visiting the places he most enjoyed including where he proposed to his future wife, Clementine Hozier.
You can reach Blenheim Palace by car in about 1.5 hours or by taking a train from London Paddington to Oxford and then continuing by bus to the palace. Or you can take a guided tour to Blenheim Palace from London.
Bodiam Castle
Bodiam Castle in East Sussex is one of England’s most picturesque castles. The 14th century square moated castle is everything you’d expect from a medieval fortress.
The castle was sold following the English Civil War and the interior was dismantled by the 17th century. While it is largely in ruins, renovations in the 19th century restored it to what you can see today.
The interiors are still in ruins, but you can explore the towers and battlements and imagine what it would have been like to take part in a feast as you stand in the Great Room.
The easiest way to get to Bodiam Castle is by car, it’s about a 2 hour drive. You can also take a train to Robertsbridge, about an hour from central London, and arrange a private taxi to take you from the station to the castle and back.
Dover Castle
Dover Castle in Kent is an icon of British history, towering over the White Cliffs of Dover. William the Conqueror built the fortifications shortly after the 1066 Battle of Hastings, and King Henry II began constructing the current castle in the 1180s.
King Henry VIII extensively refurbished the Royal Apartments in the Great Tower. Royals last used the castle in 1625, after which it fell into disrepair. During the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars, the castle was extensively used once again to defend England against potential approaches across the English Channel.
The castle found new use during both WWI and WWII as both a military base and a significant coastal defense. In 1942-43 a vital communications center was created by enlarging the existing tunnels beneath the castle. Here they developed parts of Operation Neptune, the naval component of the D-Day invasions.
You can reach Dover Castle in about 2 hours by car, or by a combination of train to Dover Priory and bus up to the castle. Small group tours from London to Dover are also available.
Hampton Court Palace
Hampton Court Palace is one of the easiest castles to get to, located only about 45 minutes by train from central London in the borough of Richmond.
This royal palace is a member of Historic Royal Palaces, along with the Tower of London and Kensington Palace, so if you’re planning to visit two or three of the palaces it may be worth considering a membership.
Cardinal Wolsey built the Tudor palace in 1514, and it was later taken over by King Henry VIII. Henry VIII brought all of his six wives to the palace, where he hosted lavish feasts and led an extravagant courtly life.
King William III and Queen Mary II initially planned to demolish the palace, but architect Sir Christopher Wren preserved much of the Tudor structure and added Fountain Court instead.
In 1838 Queen Victoria decreed that Hampton Court should be open to the public, and today it’s a magnet for visitors. It’s also the site of two annual festivals, the Hampton Court Music Festival and the RHS Flower Show.
The easiest way to get to Hampton Court is by train from Waterloo Station. You can also take a private tour to Hampton Court Palace from London, which I highly recommend.
Hever Castle
Just 30 miles south of London in Kent, the 700 year old Hever Castle was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn. Anne Boleyn was the second wife of Henry VIII and the mother of Queen Elizabeth I.
After Anne of Cleves, one of Henry VIII’s wives, owned the castle, it passed through the hands of various families from the late 1550s onward.
In 1903 William Waldorf Astor purchased Hever Castle and began restoring it. The castle restoration was finished in 1906, followed by the completion of the grounds in 1908. All original castle structures were preserved during the restoration, and renovations were carried out using 16th-century techniques.
You can reach the castle by car in about an hour and a half or by train in approximately an hour. You can take the train to Edenbridge Town Station and take a taxi the 3 miles to the castle, or disembark at Hever station and walk about a mile to the castle.
Highclere Castle
Best known as the setting for Downton Abbey, Highclere Castle in Hampshire has been the home of the Carnarvon family since 1679.
In 1842 Sir Charles Berry, the designer of London’s Houses of Parliament, transformed what was Highclere House into the Highclere Castle that we know today.
Of the castle’s 200+ rooms, approximately 15 are open to the public. Along with several of the state rooms featured in Downton Abbey you can also tour the Egyptian exhibit.
While most people are familiar with Howard Carter’s discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922, many don’t realize that the man standing next to him on that fateful day was the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, who financed the expedition to find the tomb.
During WWI, the 5th Countess of Carnarvon converted the castle into a hospital. WWII saw the castle used as a home for children evacuated from London to protect them from the Blitz.
The castle is accessible by car in about 2 hours, or by taking the train to Newbury and then a taxi to the castle. Note the phone number for the taxi company, you’ll want to call for a ride back to the station. There are also a variety of Downton Abbey themed tours from London available.
Leeds Castle
Leeds Castle in Kent was formerly a home of Henry VIII and his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. The castle has been a Norman stronghold and a home for six of England’s medieval queens. It includes both a moat and a yew-tree maze.
In the 1620s the Tudor castle was demolished and replaced with a Jacobean mansion. Unfortunately by the 1820s the entire property was beginning to crumble.
The Jacobean mansion was demolished, and a Tudor-style New Castle was built in its place. After the owners acquired additional surrounding land in 1895 Leeds Castle became one of the largest private estates in Kent.
By 1925 the owners were in financial difficulty and needed to sell the castle and lands. They were purchased by an Anglo-American heiress, who was known as Lady Baillie after her third marriage.
Leeds Castle once again became one of England’s great country homes in the 1920s. Lady Baillie had a largely medieval castle recreated, with interiors redone by Stephane Boudin. As the president of Parisian design firm Maison Jansen, he also did work for the Duke and Duchess of Windsor and Jacqueline Kennedy. His interior designs remain visible in the castle today.
You can reach Leeds Castle by car from London in about an hour and a half. Train service is also available to Maidstone East from London Victoria. From Maidstone East take the 10X bus to the Leeds Castle stop.
Windsor Castle
Located only 40 minutes west of London, Windsor Castle is the official residence of the King. It is also the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. It’s also one of the most popular castles near London to visit on a day trip.
William the Conqueror founded the castle in the 11th century. It has since been home to the Royal Family and over 40 British monarchs.
The State Apartments are extensive, and there are many highlights to see including the Waterloo Chamber and the Grand Staircase. On certain days of the week you can also visit St. George’s Chapel. This royal chapel has been the site of numerous royal weddings. Henry VIII and Charles I are among the 10 kings buried in the chapel. It is also the burial place of Queen Elizabeth II.
You can reach Windsor Castle from central London in about an hour by car or train. Or you can take a private tour from London to Windsor Castle with an expert guide, which I would recommend.
The bottom line: Castles near London to visit
Whether you’re looking for a medieval castle or a baroque palace, there are plenty of castles near London. The only question now is which one to visit next.
