I love a good fairytale. My childhood imagination was fired by gingerbread houses, overgrown forests and, of course, castles.
Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and the court of King Arthur. From bleak mountain fastnesses and battle-scarred towers to underwater palaces and Disney’s spun-sugar versions, I loved them all.
And still do.
Our travels always seem to involve a castle or two, whether it’s the home of real-life royalty or somewhere steeped in myth, magic or legend.
They’re all across Europe. The Châteaux of the Loire, Moorish fortresses in Spain, the mountain strongholds of Bavaria. Dominating the skyline with turrets, battlements and ramparts, all breathtakingly beautiful.
But much closer to home there are spectacular castles, straight out of the pages of the Brothers Grimm or Hans Christian Andersen.
Picture-perfect locations for sleeping princesses and gallant knights.
Here are 7 of the most stunning fairytale castles in the UK.
Corfe Castle, Dorset, England
Shaped by thousands of years of warfare, Corfe Castle commands a gap in the Purbeck Hills between Wareham and Swanage.
Built by William the Conqueror, it was one of the first castles to use stone instead of packed earth and timber, which explains why so much of it has survived the centuries.
The castle remained a royal fortress until Elizabeth I sold it in 1572 to her Lord Chancellor, Sir Christopher Hatton.
Today its walls, keep and inner bailey stand firm, recalling the days when knights rode out to battle, pennants flying and trumpets blaring.
Corfe Castle is run by the National Trust and open to the public every day.
Prices in 2022 are £10 for an adult, £5 for a child.
There is a car park, but you can also walk there on the Purbeck Way. It’s a steepish walk to the top, but you’ll be rewarded with some spectacular views.
Conwy Castle, Wales
If standing on the battlements and dreaming of the past is your thing, then Conwy is perfect.
A ‘proper’ castle with impregnable walls, tall towers and arrow slits.
Built over 700 years ago on the orders of Edward I, and now a World Heritage Site, the fortress is well-preserved and holds the most intact set of medieval royal apartments in Wales.
And, thanks to recent restoration work and restored spiral staircases, you can walk a complete circuit around the battlements. The craggy mountains of Snowdonia lie behind, and the harbour and narrow streets of Conwy are spread out below.
Conwy Castle is run by Cadw and is open to the public almost every day of the year.
Tickets in 2022 cost £9.90 for adults, £6.90 for children over 5.
For great views of the town, castle, and Snowdonia, walk the Conwy Town Walls for free.
Lindisfarne Castle, Northumberland, England
Rising from the rocks as though it’s part of the landscape, Lindisfarne Castle is one of the most photographed in the UK.
Built on Holy Island off the Northumberland coast it seems as though it’s defied wind and rough seas for millennia. But it is, in fact, a restoration of a Tudor fortress.
Joined to the mainland by a narrow causeway accessible only at low tide, it remains gloriously wild and free and a haven for wildlife for most of the time. But that means that when the tide is out it can get crowded on fair weather days.
Lindisfarne Castle is run by the National Trust and is open from March to October, although you can walk around the site and the headland in the winter.
Just keep a careful eye on the tide times.
There is a charge for car parking but the castle and Holy Island are free to visit.
Leeds Castle, Kent, England
Some say it is the loveliest castle in the world.
That’s quite a claim, but Leeds Castle is something very special, rising from a moat and set in rolling woodland.
Once a bleak Norman stronghold, it’s been lived in for centuries, becoming a royal palace and home to no fewer than six medieval queens.
Henry VIII and his first wife Catherine of Aragon also stayed there before four centuries of private family ownership.
Now run by the Leeds Castle Foundation, its stone walls, luxurious interiors and beautiful art collections are preserved for the public.
The castle, grounds and attractions are open all year round.
Prices in 2022 are £28 for adults and £19.50 for children, but last for a full 12 months.
Bodiam Castle, Sussex England
If your idea of a fairytale castle involves towers, drawbridges, a portcullis and battlements then Bodiam is a dream come true.
A moated ruin in the valley of the River Rother, it dates from the 14th century and has a turbulent past, scarred by protest and social upheaval.
The outer walls are surprisingly intact but the interior fell into disrepair, leaving a huge gap in the middle that you can fill with your own imagination! And keep an eye out for ancient grafitti and stonemason marks that have stood the test of time.
Another National Trust property, Bodiam Castle is open to visitors all year round although in winter there are shorter hours and a few closure dates.
Tickets in 2022 costs £11 for an adult, £5.50 for children with free entry for National Trust members.
Eilean Donan, Kyle of Lochalsh, Scotland
If you’ve seen the original Highlander film, you’ll definitely recognise this one. It’s where Macleod is banished after miraculously recovering from his apparently fatal wounds.
Originally built in the 13th century, Eilean Donan (Eilean Donnain in Scottish Gaelic) dominates the skyline at the point where three great sea lochs meet.
Set in majestic scenery, it’s one of the most visited attractions in the Scottish Highlands.
But it’s not exactly orginal. There’ve been at least four different versions of the castle, built and rebuilt over the centuries. This one dates from 1932.
Open to visitors from March through to September, Eilean Donan is run by The Conchra Charitable Trust.
Tickets in 2022 are £10 for adults and £6 for children.
Aldourie, Scotland
And finally, what about a fairytale castle you can rent?
For a day, a week or even longer you can book Aldourie and play Princes and Princesses on your own 500 acre Highland estate.
Originally a laird’s house, it’s an authentic historic castle in the Scottish baronial style with round towers and gothic spires.
Inside all is lavish luxury, with everything you’d want for 21st century living within its historic walls.
And Loch Ness is just a stone’s throw away.
History and luxury don’t come cheap! But for details see Aldourie castle website
Where to next?
• Castles you can actually stay in
• Famous UK film locations
• Kings, plagues and punishment
