Beach strolls, boat trips and characterful towns make for the perfect weekend by the sea, but the best stretches of coast are often crowned by a majestic castle too. From Norman strongholds to Second World War battle-planning headquarters, here are the history-rich castles worth exploring.
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1. Dartmouth Castle, Devon
The most scenic way to arrive at Dartmouth Castle is a ten-minute ferry ride along the estuary from the town’s harbour. It was originally built in the 14th century on the say-so of the merchant mayor John Hawley, with a gun tower added later. Today, visitors can watch an animation showing the instrumental role its harbour chain played in defence, discover the gun battery and open-air platforms where shots were fired from and have fun trying on armour (from £8; english-heritage.org.uk). Afterwards, walk along the South West Coast Path or sit down for a cream tea at the castle café before checking into the contemporary, adults-only Kaywana Hall, in nearby Kingswear.
Details B&B doubles from £240; kaywanahall.co.uk
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2. Dover Castle, Kent
Strategically positioned above Dover’s harbour, this Norman castle was critical to the Dunkirk evacuation during the Second World War. A new immersive visitor attraction opens in September 2024; meanwhile walk through the network of once-secret tunnels and learn about the mission to rescue Allied troops before visiting the underground hospital, brought to life through the story of an injured pilot medics tried to help. Make time too to see the lavish interiors of the Great Tower (from £21; english-heritage.org.uk). Afterwards, head to the beach: to the east is sand-and-shingle St Margaret’s Bay; to the west, Folkestone, where the Rocksalt Restaurant has seafood suppers and, if you’re not staying at the castle’s cottages, four rooms, including one for families.
Details B&B doubles from £117 (rocksaltfolkestone.co.uk)
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3. Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland
A castle in some form has stood on this rocky outcrop above the sand-dune-backed Bamburgh beach since the 6th century. The present building, a Norman stronghold, was badly damaged during the 15th-century Wars of the Roses and suffered years of disrepair before restoration work was started in the 19th century by the engineer Lord Armstrong, whose descendants live in the castle today. Fascinating spaces to discover range from the state rooms to the King’s Hall and the archaeology museum with Anglo-Saxon artefacts, including swords and a gold plaque (£17; bamburghcastle.com). From the castle, it’s a three-mile walk along the coast to Seahouses harbour where wildlife-spotting boat trips run to the Farne Islands (spring and summer are best for puffin-spotting). Back in Bamburgh village, check into the Lord Crewe, a cosy restaurant with rooms.
Details Room-only doubles from £200 (lord-crewe.co.uk)
4. Pendennis Castle, Falmouth, Cornwall
Among Henry VIII’s seaside bolt holes, Pendennis Castle has protected the entrance to the River Fal for nearly 500 years. Climb the spiral staircase of the Tudor Keep for panoramic views and see historic weaponry in the Field Train Shed. You can also visit the Half Moon Battery; the castle’s circular design allowed for all-round gunfire (from £12.50; english-heritage.org.uk). There are also regular jousting tournaments and pirate-themed fun days for families. It’s a 20-minute stroll into Falmouth itself where you can browse independent shops and tuck into a Cornish pasty. Then, hop on the ferry to neighbouring St Mawes for a stay at the Idle Rocks hotel, right on the water.
Details B&B doubles from £270 (idlerocks.com)
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5. Caernarfon Castle, Gwynedd
One Welsh castle just wasn’t enough for King Edward I. He had four constructed in the 13th century: Harlech, Conwy, Beaumaris and Caernarfon which, today, are Unesco world heritage sites. Caernarfon, at the mouth of the River Seiont and facing the Menai Straits, is considered the finest; the Eagle Tower, with its trio of turrets, is a must-see, as is the Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum, which tells the story of Wales’s oldest infantry regiment. A new castle rooftop deck, accessed via a glass lift, opened last year (£13; cadw.gov.wales). Just out of town, Plas Dinas Country House — the former home of Lord Snowdon — makes for a tranquil base that’s well-placed for hikes in Snowdonia National Park (Eryri).
Details B&B doubles from £199 (plasdinas.co.uk)
6. Eilean Donan Castle, Dornie, Highland
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With a spectacular setting on its own island where three lochs meet (Duich, Long and Alsh), it’s no wonder that picturesque Eilean Donan has appeared in a roll call of films including James Bond’s The World Is Not Enough and Elizabeth: The Golden Age. There’s been a castle here since the 13th century, built to repel the Vikings, although the present family-owned fortress mostly dates from the 1930s; the rooms are stuffed with Jacobean artefacts, period furniture and fine art (£12; eileandonancastle.com). Continue on to Kinloch Lodge on the Isle of Skye, where the resident ghillie takes guests out foraging, fishing and on guided walks.
Details B&B doubles from £460 (kinloch-lodge.co.uk)
• 15 of the best things to do in the Highlands
7. Carrickfergus Castle, Co Antrim
Despite facing down attempted sieges from insurgents including the English and the French during its 800 years, Carrickfergus, on the north shore of Belfast Lough, is remarkably intact today. Climb to the top of the keep, then explore the banquet hall, vaults and armoury, which features a collection of cannon — and look out for the castle’s ghostly soldier “Buttoncap”, believed to haunt the ramparts (£6; discovernorthernireland.com). From here, it’s a 30-minute drive into buzzy Belfast: don’t miss the contemporary art gallery the MAC, or the historic waterfront, known as Maritime Mile. On the other side of the capital, the Culloden Estate and Spa makes for a serene retreat.
Details B&B doubles from £300 (cullodenestateandspa.com)
Which coastal castle is your favourite? Let us know the places we’ve missed in the comments below
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