The UK has no shortage of incredible castles to visit. But there’s something extra special about getting to spend the night where royalty and nobility once slept. I’ve rounded up a list of the best, including castle stays and hotels that lean into historic design and those with more modern touches.
Castle stays in the UK: England
England’s castle hotels seamlessly blend medieval history and modern comforts.
Langley Castle
- Location: Northumberland
- Price: From £102 a night
- Best for: preserved authenticity
Constructed for a knight in the 14th century, Langley Castle has maintained its historic authenticity. While visiting take the battlements tour on your first day. The tour takes you through the castle (and its history) and up to the battlements, where you can look out over Hadrian’s Wall.
In the evenings, Langley Castle’s intimate restaurant serves a three-course fine dining menu fit for royalty. Choose from dishes like duck liver parfait, seared rump of lamb, and strawberry and elderflower cheesecake.
Augill Castle
- Location: Kirkby Stephen
- Price: From £230 per night
- Best for: family-friendly adventures
Augill Castle is one of the best castle stays in the UK for young families. The castle’s drawing room has a range of toys and games for kids to play with while adults relax on the elegant sofas.
The general vibe is quite relaxed compared to other castles, meaning younger guests can comfortably eat, play and explore. The main dining room has a peaceful, welcoming atmosphere and serves up contemporary dining using local produce. For a more intimate experience, private dining is available in the castle library. Plus, with just twelve bedrooms, the common areas of the castle never feel too crowded.
Castle stays in the UK: Wales
From beautiful islands to the plains of Pembrokeshire, the best castle hotels in Wales offer plenty of countryside comfort.
Château Rhianfa
- Location: Anglesey
- Price: From £232
- Best for: a couples castle stay by the coast
The Château Rhianfa offers breathtaking views of the Menai Straits and the Eryri Mountains. Built in the mid-19th century as a gift from the Baronet of Bodelwyddan to his wife Lady Sarah, this castle hotel is ideal for couples.
My favourite aspect of Château Rhianfa is how the rooms feel like bedrooms instead of hotel rooms. Chic dressers and bookshelves line the walls, making the rooms feel like a true home away from home.
For foodies, Le Dragon Rouge, the hotel’s restaurant, offers a varied, seasonal menu using the best local produce of Anglesey and Snowdonia. Every other week, they serve up a robust Sunday lunch with a range of meats to choose from.
Roch Castle
- Location: Haverfordwest
- Price: From £240
- Best for: stunning views and modern comforts
Roch Castle’s position on a volcanic outcrop once gave it a strategic advantage, but now it provides guests with breathtaking views of Pembrokeshire’s countryside.
Constructed in the 12th century, Roch Castle underwent a recent restoration revealing a chic, designer interior with 21st-century comforts and a contemporary art collection. The rooms are quite modern in their overall design, but they retain some historic features, including alcoves and traditional castle windows.
The staff here are wonderful, offering friendly assistance from check-in to check-out. They also know all the best places to visit in the surrounding area (including some under-the-radar options you might otherwise miss).
Castle stays in Scotland
From cosy B&Bs to grand estates in the highlands, Scotland offers some of the most unique castle stays in the UK.
Buittle Castle
- Location: Galloway
- Price: From £134
- Best for: a private getaway
Built in the 12th century, Buittle Castle has just two guest rooms. Both are located in guest houses out in the courtyard and have their own private entrance. The Munches Room is decorated to reflect the castle’s Jacobite history, while The Lady Maxwell Room evokes Gothic Revival and Arts and Crafts styles.
These rooms operate as a bed and breakfast, and each morning you’ll be served a warm Scottish breakfast made using local ingredients (the eggs come from the castle’s own hens). Buittle Castle also offers exclusive use of the entire property.
Melville Castle
- Location: Dalkeith
- Price: From £254 per night
- Best for: a pet-friendly palace
A quick drive from Edinburgh, Melville Castle’s rooms have rich dark wallpaper, velvet pillows and cosy four-poster beds with goose-down feather duvets.
Afternoon tea is served every afternoon between 1 pm and 4 pm with homemade cakes, tea and a flute of prosecco when you choose the “sparkling” option. If you have a dog, this is one of the best castle stays in the UK for you. They have a number of pet-friendly rooms that can accommodate up to two dogs, and they provide plenty of amenities for your canine companions.
Not only will they receive their own doggy bed and some special treats, but there’s also a Doggy Afternoon Tea, where they can enjoy food and a puppichino in the gardens.
Inverlochy Castle
- Location: Fort William
- Price: From £323
- Best for: cosy luxury
A 19th-century estate tucked away in the Scottish Highlands, Inverlochy Castle is full of charm and character. You can walk through the woodland on the grounds or head out onto the loch in their small row boat.
The rooms are wonderfully cosy, with patterned bedding and gorgeous furniture that evokes the comfort of a cottage and the luxury of a palace. My favourite part of Inverlochy Castle is their dining experience “Seasgair” (Gaelic for warm and comfortable), created by two-Michelin-star chef Michael Roux Jr.
You can choose to dine at your own private table or mingle with your fellow guests at the long Mary Shaw’s Table in the Library.
Castle stays in the UK: Northern Ireland
These castles offer guests unforgettable luxury and bring a modern touch to historic estates.
Killeavy Castle
- Location: Newry
- Price: From £155
- Best for: modern stays on castle grounds
Killeavy Castle is perfect if you want to enjoy a castle atmosphere during the day before retiring to modern rooms in the evening. The main accommodation is the luxury hotel on the castle grounds, which offers chic rooms in soothing shades of grey accentuated by pops of colour.
If you’re travelling with a larger group, you can book the entire castle, which includes four guest rooms along with the lounge, dining room, drawing room and library.
These rooms offer modern comforts in a classical style. Bear in mind that the castle is not otherwise open to the public unless you book private dining, but you will still be able to enjoy the grounds and the beautiful view.
Culloden Estate and Spa
- Location: Belfast
- Price: From £179
- Best for: spa luxury
A slice of serenity, just a short drive from Belfast, Culloden Estate and Spa was originally constructed to be the palace of the Bishops of Down.
Set across 12 acres of woodland and manicured gardens, it offers total comfort and privacy. It’s an ideal destination for a romantic getaway, with signature couples massages available from the spa. Whether you’re travelling solo or with a partner, the spa will quickly become your favourite spot at Culloden Estate.
They offer treatments that balance traditional practices and modern techniques. A special touch to this hotel is the traditional Irish pub located on the grounds of the estate that spills out onto the lawn in the warmer months.
Staying in a castle in the UK is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the grandeur and history of some of the UK’s most spectacular structures.
Planning more trips across the UK? Check out the most beautiful places in the UK and the hidden gems you don’t want to miss. If you like your historic destinations with a hint of the macabre, our guide to the most haunted places in England has you covered.
