There are lots of castles dotted across the UK dating from medieval times or built in the 19th century, but only a few of these castles you can actually stay in.
Sleep in four-poster beds, dine alongside suits of armour, lounge in free-standing bath tubs and share a relaxed afternoon tea for two. We’ve put together our list of the best castle hotels in the England, for a weekend break of being Baron and Baroness.
Located between the historic cities of Durham and Newcastle is Lumley Castle hotel. Over 600 years old and surrounded by pristine parklands, the castle is a monument to a bygone age of chivalry, honour and medieval grandeur.
The rooms are all individually decorated and retain original features such as oak panelling, deep-set fireplaces and large window boxes. Book the Queen Anne room to have your own free-standing bath, or splurge on the King James suite with a 20ft high four-poster bed, a Jacuzzi bath, and its own reception room, all housed in what used to be the castle chapel.
Downstairs you’ll find the sophisticated Black Knight Restaurant where you can enjoy delicious British cuisine, a fantastic Sunday roast, or even slip away to the Library Bar for a spot of Afternoon Tea.
This 16th century castle lies on the edge of the Cotswolds and was once host to King Henry VIII and his new bride, Anne Boleyn.
Each room of the castle is heavily textured, whether it’s the stone walls, hanging tapestries, rich fabrics of the upholstery or the carved ceiling on the four-poster bed. Every angle throws up new silhouettes and shapes, making every corner of the room a point of interest. Our favourite? The Rapunzel-esque tower suite, reached by a stone spiral staircase. The room boasts silk wall hangings and a sumptuously ornate four-poster bed, plus magnificent views over all of Gloucestershire.
Set in the heart of the Dartmoor National Park, Bovey Castle is a hotel and golf resort built in the 1930s by Great Western Railways. The art-deco interiors and indulgent Elan spa make this castle hotel the perfect option for a romantic weekend of relaxation and old-world glamour.
Whether you spend your time exploring the surrounding moors, playing on the 18-hole Championship golf course or just lazing by the pool in the spa, Bovey Castle is a unique destination for some R&R.
Langley Castle Hotel is a 14th-century fortified castle nestled in the idyllic surrounds of Northumbria. Ideal for a romantic break you can spend your days exploring the surrounding countryside and villages, before returning for afternoon tea by an open fire.
Each of the rooms are decorated in a traditional style with medieval features such as hand-carved beds, dark wood furniture and thick full-length drapes. Opt for the Derwenter room for room with a large fireplace, a window set into seven ft walls, a super king-size four-poster bed and a luxurious spa bath.
A gorgeous 900-year-old castle located on the South Downs, Amberley Castle features 19 luxurious guest rooms with plenty of original features and in some cases an en-suite whirlpool bathroom.
Downstairs you’ll find the magnificent Queen’s Room with a barrel-vaulted ceiling dating back to the 12th century, with a large open fire and featuring high lancet windows. Here you will find the hotel restaurant where you can enjoy fine dining surrounded by Norman Architecture and suits of armour.
A grand castle at the foot of the Yorkshire Wolds, this is the perfect retreat if you’re looking for some bucolic bliss. For those who like to spend their time outdoors the hotel boasts both an 18-hole golf course, and for those looking to completely relax, there’s always the luxury spa including an indoor heated pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room.
The castle features over 70 rooms, some with four poster beds and some styled with more modern décor. The Windsor restaurant is widely considered to be one of the best restaurants in the area, serving fine cuisine from an A la Carte menu or, if it’s a special occasion, why not opt for the table d’hote menu which changes daily.
Tregenna Castle Resort is a family friendly hotel offering both luxury accommodation and self-catering accommodation all at the picturesque seaside town of St. Ives. The resort covers a total of 72 acres and has perfect views over the town.
Each of the rooms have their own unique character and are designed to make you feel at home. Choose a room with a view to have commanding vistas of the surrounding coast and you can even order a bottle of champagne to your room to kick-off the holiday vibes.
Dubbed ‘the enchanted place on the hill,’ every inch of Boringdon Hall has been meticulously restored to its former glory, and the dramatic architecture plus luxurious modern touches makes for a hotel stay to remember.
One of the best features of Boringdon Hall is the opulent Gaia spa, a three-story contemporary building making the most of the scenic surrounds of Dartmoor. Enjoy the indoor heated pool, the hydrotherapy pool, the Finnish sauna, crystal salt room, Laconium herbal spa and traditional steam room. What more could you possibly want?
A beautiful French-style chateau in the heart of Anglesey, Wales, this fairy-tale castle is perfect if you are looking for a romantic break where you simply explore the spa, the grounds and the culinary delights available to you.
The hotel spa and boasts a private hot tub, sauna and even a private beach for the warmer summer months, should you fancy a dip.
There’s plenty to keep you busy in this part of Anglesey and further out towards Snowdonia, from hiking and mountaineering to ziplining, white water rafting, kayaking, etc. But to be honest we wouldn’t blame you at all if you never left the hotel which has all the comfort, peace and quiet you need.
This gorgeous middle age castle was first built in 1195 and has since been the home of conquerors and courtesans. The castle was left to ruin after the civil war and rebuilt in 1900 making the most of the original architectural features.
Each of the castle rooms are decorated in a contemporary style making the most of the space and light from the lofty windows or skylights. Set high above the Pembrokeshire landscape, the castle commands panoramic views over the bay of St Brides and the Preseli Hills.
Set in the Brecon Beacons National Park, Craig-y-Nos castle is a 19th century Welsh castle that is known to be the most haunted castle in Britain and former home of the famous Victorian opera singer Adelina Patti.
The castle boasts 36 rooms, each warmly decorated with modern touches and boasting views over the surrounding mountains, lakes and rolling green hills. The castle is also dog-friendly and welcomes all four-legged friends as well as allowing cats, birds and many others to join you on your stay.