There are many castles throughout the UK for the whole family to explore and enjoy. Some are large, some are small, some are more famous than others, but they all offer something different and are a great family treat. Steeped in history and tradition, castles can offer a great eductional experience for all to explore and discover. Learn the history and glorified battles and monarchs that each of the castles once homed.

Many Castles have tour operated guides, to educate you as you delve deeper into the history and tradition of the fortified structure. These tours are fascinating and uncover the secrets of the turrets and the stories that lie behind the walls, involving plots, murders, battles and much much more.

In medieval Europe the first castles appeared in the 9th century, when the Carolingian empire was collapsing as a result of Viking and Magyar raids. As central authority disintegrated, nobles fought for power and territory. They built castles so that they could control and defend their land. These castles started out as simple, wooden structures, relying on natural defences such as rivers or hills, but soon builders were adding earthworks - mounds, banks and ditches - for extra defence.

Once the Normans were firmly established in power, castle building proceeded at a more leisurely pace. However, at later points in history, there were sudden spates of castle building, in order to enforce the king's rule over a rebellious population or to protect the country from the threat of invasion. A good example is Edward I's campaigns in Wales between 1277 and 1284, which led to an extensive period of castle building, with mighty castles at Caernarfon, Conwy, Harlech and Beaumaris built to enforce English rule over the Welsh

There are well in excess of 180 castles in the UK and the CastleXplorer have listed the main ones for you to see. For a full list of the castles available on the site, click here. 

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