A wonderful way to tour England is by visiting its many medieval castles. Now Historic UK has put together an interactive map and list of Britain’s castles to help you design the perfect itinerary for an unforgettable vacation.
A trip could include a visit to Warwick Castle, built shortly after the Norman Conquest of England in 1068, Alnwick Castle in Northumberland (featured in two Harry Potter movies), or any of the many castles and fortifications dotting the map. While some of the castles are ruins, many are operated as museums and are open to the public. A few continue to function as private homes, and are owned by the same families who have occupied them for centuries.
If a trip is not in your immediate future, you can explore the castles from your own computer. A photo and description of each castle and its historical importance are listed along with information about opening times and entrance fees. If you click on the “satellite” option on the map you can enjoy a bird’s eye view of each castle’s ramparts, turrets and moats.
The map plots the ancient castles using Google Maps, so planning a trip by car or train is made simple, as is finding a good fish and chips shop nearby.
And today we celebrate...