Have you ever heard the saying: “an Englishman’s home is his castle”? In some respects, staying in one could be considered the ultimate homestay. From crenellated stately homes to regal retreats, there’s no shortage of options not just in England but throughout Wales and Scotland too. For inspiration, in this article we’ve shortlisted ten of our favorite spots where you can sleep in a UK castle.
All prices are listed in British pounds (£) as stated by the castle hotels’ official or trusted booking platforms. In USD, rough equivalents are shown in parentheses using a conversion rate of £1 ≈ $1.27. Actual rates may vary depending on booking dates, fees, and currency fluctuations. Please refer to the official links for current availability and pricing.
Sleep in a Castle: Best UK Castle Hotels for a Regal Escape
Warwick Castle
Built in 1086 by William the Conqueror, well-preserved Warwick Castle is one of the UK’s top visitor attractions. Embrace the lifestyle on a summer break, during which you can sleep in a glamping tent or woodland lodge within the castle’s medieval-themed Knights Village. Prices start at £45 per person per night. Family-friendly evening entertainment and themed dining are available to overnighters.
Two luxurious bedchambers in the tallest of the castle’s towers deliver a more intimate and romantic experience. Doze off under vaulted ceilings in a dreamy four-poster as you admire the tapestries and wall hangings that evoke days past.
Breakfast in one of the castle’s elegant staterooms and a private tour of the castle round out this VIP vibe.
Visit the castle and its dungeon or walk the ramparts; time your trip to coincide with one of the many special events such as jousting and falconry displays.
Leeds Castle
Leeds Castle is a breathtaking moated castle situated close to the town of Maidstone in Kent, extensively renovated in the 19th century. The first building on this spot was the Manor of Esledes, which is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086; the first records of a stone keep owned by nobleman Robert de Crèvecoeur date back to 1119.
The property became a royal residence when it was ceded first to Queen Eleanor of Castile in 1278 and on her death, her husband Edward I. It retained that status for almost three centuries. They beefed up the castle’s defenses, adding the moat and thick stone walls.
Booking an overnight stay at the Stable Courtyard (cozy doubles from £134) offers an irresistible opportunity to explore the castle grounds and its gardens after day-trippers have gone home.
You might also consider joining the waiting list to sleep in one of the rooms within the castle itself, though availability is typically very limited.
Hever Castle
Also in Kent, Hever Castle was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, the second of King Henry VIII’s six wives. His obsession with marrying her and the Pope’s refusal to annul his first marriage led to the formation of the Church of England. The infatuation didn’t last, and Henry ordered her execution for treason in 1536. Ownership of Hever Castle was granted to the King’s fourth wife, Anne of Cleves, as part of her divorce settlement.
The castle building you see today dates back to the late 14th century but was erected on the site of an earlier motte and bailey structure. The interior is replete with tapestries, antiques and Tudor portraits, the result of a lavish restoration in the early 20th century by wealthy American William Waldorf Astor.
If you’re keen to stay in this storied property, choose between an upscale bed and breakfast option spanning the Astor and Anne Boleyn wings, or a deluxe four-bedroom holiday cottage. Doubles start at £215/night.
Appleby Castle
The Normans built a motte and bailey castle at Appleby in 1092. By the 12th century, a four-story-high square stone keep known as Caesar’s Tower had been constructed and remains intact to this day. It will appeal to anyone with an interest in the medieval period as it houses the Norman Centre museum.
The castle’s position, located within the delightful Eden Valley in the north of England, also means that both the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks are within easy reach of Appleby Castle – opening up a wealth of possibilities for hiking, climbing, caving, kayaking and other outdoor pursuits.
Fishing rights in the River Eden are exclusively for guests. If you’re keen to stay here from May to September, choose from 12 castle bedrooms (£135 upwards) and also three characterful cottages within the bailey.
Peckforton Castle
Peckforton Castle is located in the heart of rural Cheshire in the north west of England. It is a 19th-century castle whose design mimics medieval architecture. Successful landowner John Tollemache embarked on a nine-year project to create a fortified home; today the Grade I listed building is a stylish hotel nestled amid 36,000 acres of verdant parkland. Its sumptuously decorated bedrooms, some with fairytale four-poster beds, start at £205 per night.
This UK’s castle hotel has featured prominently in a slew of movies and TV series including Robin Hood, Doctor Who and season 24 of popular reality show The Amazing Race. Medieval pursuits such as archery, axe throwing and building a trebuchet (catapult) are among the many activities available to guests, alongside duck herding and lawn games.
Mingary Castle
Imposing Mingary Castle is the most westerly castle on the UK mainland and overlooks the Sound of Mull on the edge of the Ardnamurchan Estate. This Scottish gem was built by the MacDougals of Lorne at some point between 1265 and 1295 at a time when they needed to defend their northern border.
The UK hotel in a castle takes the shape of an irregular hexagon, with curtain walls that rise as much as 46 feet high from the rocky outcrop on which they perch. Once almost a ruin, a decade ago its owners embarked on an ambitious and meticulous renovation which has restored the place to its former glory.
Pick from one of four splendid suites where décor touches such as four-poster beds, roll-top copper baths, stone fireplaces and wainscoting evoke an air of grandeur. Rates start at £288 per night with a minimum two-night stay most of the year.
Buittle Castle
The history of Buittle Castle stretches back to the 12th century. Except for a few decades, the 850-year-old property has been passed down through 30 generations of the same family. Today, buildings in the castle courtyard house bed and breakfast rooms. Each has a theme that recounts an episode in Buittle’s past.
For instance, the Mary, Queen of Scots room reminds us of two royal visits, while the Baron’s Bedchamber was previously the master bedroom of the castle. They both share a bathroom. Other rooms are available as standalone bookings and rates start at £100 a night. The castle’s position on the River Urr near the Solway Firth makes sightseeing on either side of the border straightforward.
Glasgow is less than two hours’ drive to the north while the English Lake District is a similar distance in the opposite direction.
Many guests of this cozy castle hotel like to take afternoon tea in the castle’s Great Hall, once a chapel; the annual Christmas market provides a reason to book a stay in December.
Amhuinnsuidhe Castle
Amhuinnsuidhe Castle (pronounced avin-soo-ee) was built for the 7th Earl of Dunmore in the 1860s. Its turrets and crenellated parapets are characteristic of Scottish Baronial style architecture. The castle is also said to have its own benevolent ghost, believed to be Lady Sophie Scott, who was a generous host here in Edwardian times and threw many fun parties in her time. This sprawling country estate enjoys a spectacular coastal location on the shores of Loch Leosavay on the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides.
If you stay at this beautifull castle hotel, you’ll be following in the footsteps of Peter Pan author J.M. Barrie, who found inspiration here in 1912 for a play he was writing. Today’s guests might choose to sleep in a self-catering cottage beside the gateway to the castle from £770 per week. Exclusive use of the 12 bedrooms in the castle is available at a considerably higher cost.
Castell Deudraeth at Portmeirion
In many respects Wales could be considered the castle capital of Europe; of an estimated 600 fortified structures built here, more than 400 remain. It’s no surprise therefore, that crenellated architecture is held in such affection. That’s especially the case with Castell Deudraeth, a landmark within Portmeirion, iconic Italianate village and jewel of the Snowdonia coast overlooking the picturesque Dwyryd estuary.
This 19th-century folly took its name from an earlier structure dating from 1188. In the 1920s, Sir Clough Williams-Ellis envisioned its prominent role in this unique estate; featuring in the classic 1960s show The Prisoner cemented its reputation. Sleep in one of 12 spacious rooms whose modish interiors capitalize on local slate, stone and oak to engender a sense of place.
Many who stayed at this historical castle hotel in the UK say they enjoy views overlooking a gorgeous Victorian walled garden and of course entrance into Portmeirion is included in the nightly rates, which start at £234.
Roch Castle
This Welsh gem sits on what’s known as the Landsker Line, an unofficial boundary demarcating the English-speaking south with the linguistically Welsh areas further north. The castle dates back to 1195 and at the time would have been one of a string of defenses which were the consequence of skirmishes on either side. Over the centuries, Roch Castle had a succession of owners; the first was a Norman called Adam de Rupe who died after being bitten by a snake. By the end of the 18th century, it was little more than a ruin.
It would take until the turn of the 20th century for someone to have the vision and the funds to restore it. Today, its five-foot thick walls enclose six luxurious hotel rooms each with their own unique personality.
The views from the fourth floor are remarkable, spanning Skomer Island and St Brides Bay, the St David’s Peninsula and the undulating Preseli Hills. Unsurprisingly, outdoor adventures abound, including hiking, kayaking and coasteering. Room rates start at a very reasonable £139 per night.
UK’s TOP 10 Castle Hotels You Can Sleep In
- Roch Castle – Six-room boutique stay with sweeping Welsh coastline views.
- Warwick Castle – Historic fortress with glamping tents, woodland lodges, and tower suites.
- Leeds Castle – “The Loveliest Castle in the World,” complete with a moat and charming B&B rooms.
- Hever Castle – Childhood home of Anne Boleyn with Tudor décor and luxury wings.
- Appleby Castle – Norman-era keep and cottages in scenic Cumbria.
- Peckforton Castle – 19th-century Gothic-style castle with medieval activities.
- Mingary Castle – Restored 13th-century stronghold on Scotland’s wild west coast.
- Buittle Castle – Family-owned for 30 generations, offering cozy themed B&B rooms.
- Amhuinnsuidhe Castle – Remote Hebridean estate once visited by Peter Pan’s J.M. Barrie.
- Castell Deudraeth – A folly within the Italianate village of Portmeirion in Wales.
