Planning a trip to London? If you’re interested in medieval history, English heritage and Kings and Queens, make time to visit one of England's historic castles. You won’t have to travel too far because iconic castles like Windor Castle (Queen Elizabeth’s second home) and Hever Castle (the childhood home of the notorious Anne Boleyn), are just outside of the busy capital and easy to reach.
Plan a day trip to learn more about England’s fascinating former monarchs and find out what happened within the walls of some of the most historic buildings. From famous royal castles in London to the oldest castle, read on to discover the best castles near London by train...
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1. WINDSOR CASTLE
Get to Windsor Castle from London Paddington or London Waterloo by train: 45 minutes
Just outside London on the River Thames is the world’s biggest and oldest occupied castle, Windsor Castle. Home to 1000 years of royal history, this castle has been a place of residence to over 40 monarchs. So, as you can imagine there’s plenty to see behind the gates. You can take tours inside the prestigious castle from £19.50 - just make sure to book online for cheaper rates.
The castle itself is the centrepiece of Windsor - its stone walls are surrounded by a grassy moat where people picnic in the summer. Then there’s The Long Walk, a long public path that stretches from the castle gates all the way up into the countryside, offering magnificent views. Every Thursday and Saturday, visitors can watch the Changing of the Guard spectacle at Windsor Castle, where soldiers in red coats and tall, fur hats march through Windsor town and into the castle just before 11 am in time for the main event - although you’ll need to purchase a ticket to watch the whole thing.
2. Highclere Castle
Get to Highclere Castle from London Paddington by train: 40 minutes
Highclere Castle shot to fame when the award-winning television period drama, Downton Abbey was brought to our screens (you can watch it on Netflix). It’s such an easy journey from London Paddington, with trains running directly to Newbury station which is just a 15-minute taxi from the castle. While we all imagine the Crawley family and their beloved servants running around the estate, in true life, Highclere Castle was actually never too dissimilar from this. However, it had far more owners than just one high-profile family throughout its time. Like the series, however, it was converted into a hospital for wounded soldiers during the First World War, before becoming a home for evacuees in the Second World War.
Now, you can visit Highclere Castle from London on certain dates throughout the summer when it opens to visitors for self-guided tours inside the castle. Tickets will also get you access to the gardens, the Tearooms, the Gift Shop and the Egyptian Exhibition - the Earl of Carnarvon and Highclere owner was one of those to discover the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922.
3. Warwick Castle
Get to Warwick Castle from London Marylebone by train: 1hr 25 minutes
One of the most famous castles in England is located in the midlands on the banks of the River Avon, an easy journey out of London from Marylebone station. What you see of this medieval castle now is certainly not how it looked when it was first built back in 1068 by one of the most notorious figures in British history, William the Conqueror. Originally, Warwick Castle was built out of wood with the purpose of keeping control of the midlands as William the Conqueror advanced into the north of England. It was rebuilt in stone in the 12th century and saw several battles and wars fought around it, and was the site of King Edward IV’s imprisonment.
Now, Warwick Castle is a major tourist attraction for all ages, offering tours inside and plenty of activities on the castle grounds that will take you right back to medieval times. Book your tickets in advance to save some cash and discover over 1,100 years of history at Warwick Castle near London.
4. Hever Castle
Get to Hever Castle from London Bridge by train: 40 minutes
Built in 1270, Hever Castle near London in the county of Kent was home to one of the most powerful families of the Tudor period: the Boleyn's. In the 15th and 16th century, the Boleyn family occupied Hever and made it home; during this time Anne Boleyn grew up to be the Queen of England and became King Henry VIII's second wife. This was where the Boleyn ownership took a downward turn, as it was later taken out of their hands and passed onto Anne of Cleves, another of the King’s six wives. From then, many wealthy families have taken ownership of Hever, but it was William Waldorf Astor that took time and money to transform the property into the beauty it holds today, being the one to construct the incredible gardens and lake within the castle grounds. Hever Castle is steeped in fascinating tales and a rich history and you can visit it from London in less than 40 minutes. Book your tickets in advance to guarantee your entry on the day.
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5. Blenheim Palace
Get to Blenheim Palace from London Marylebone by train: 1 hour 15 minutes
Blenheim Palace in rural Oxfordshire deserves a spot on this list if you’re looking for a day trip from London packed with history and beautiful architecture. Originally called Blenheim Castle, Blenheim Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage site, beginning its time as a gift from Queen Anne to the 1st Duke of Marlborough as a display of gratitude for his victory at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704. The palace was the very place where Sir Winston Churchill was born in 1874 - you can even take a look inside the bedroom. Take an audio tour within the walls of the magnificent Blenheim Palace, exploring the wealth of stories from the rich ‘Upstairs’ and how it all worked behind the scenes ‘Downstairs’.
There is so much to see at Blenheim Palace: the Churchill Exhibition, the Stables Exhibition, the palace state rooms, its stunning sensory garden and countryside walks within the palace grounds and beyond. This palace near London is a must-visit for a truly captivating experience of discovering more about British heritage.
6. Dover Castle
Get to Dover Castle from London St Pancras by train: 1 hour
Overlooking the English Channel by the port of Dover, this castle has a history dating back over 2,000 years. Put your walking shoes on because there is a lot to explore in this medieval corner of England, with a fair bit of uphill walking to reach sweeping views of Dover harbour and the sea once you reach the castle. Being on the southeastern coast, it’ll come as no surprise that this settlement has seen its fair share of wars and battles during its time. It’s thought that the first fort was built at this site in the Roman era, but what you can visit today was established by Henry II in the 1180s - the most advanced design for a castle in Europe for its time. In more recent years, Dover Castle was the headquarters during World War I and World War II, as the harbour became the base for the Royal Navy’s Dover Patrol in order to defend against German submarines and protect communications to and from the Army in France and Flanders.
On a visit to Dover Castle today, you can easily spend an entire day soaking up the endless stories it holds. Climb the Great Tower for brilliant views, discover what was once a medieval court and walk through the secret wartime tunnels - it really is a walk through history.
7. Leeds Castle
Get to Leeds Castle from London Victoria by train: 1 hour 10 minutes
Don’t be fooled by the name… Leeds Castle is near London, not Leeds, in the southeastern county of Kent. Surrounded by a serene lake, this castle has an incredibly rich history. From being a Norman stronghold to housing six medieval Queens to being Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon’s palace, there’s no doubt that Leeds Castle will fill you up on juicy stories from throughout history. Tour its majestic rooms and discover more in the Gatehouse Exhibition, which houses countless original artefacts throughout the castle’s time including its 300 years of royal ownership. With over 500 acres of greenery, you can stroll through the beautiful gardens, watch a falconry display and discover the surrounding wildlife on a charming circular walk through its countryside. Being such an easy train journey from London, this castle really is a fine display of English heritage.
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8. HAMPTON COURT PALACE
Get to Hampton Court Palace from London Waterloo by train: 36 minutes
Technically, this is a palace and not a castle - but we’re adding it to the list anyway because of its rich Tudor history! This royal palace is actually located in London and just a short walk from Hampton Court train station. Very convenient!
Hampton Court Place is famously known for being home to King Henry VIII, his wives and children. For those interested in Tudor history, this palace will give you a real glimpse into how they lived. For £27.20 get a look inside the real Tudor kitchen (which was the largest of its time with 200 cooks, who produced 800 meals a day). Wow, they ate a lot! Plus, you get access to the Great Hall and other public areas of the castle as well as the beautiful grounds including the courtyard and maze.
9. TOWER OF LONDON
To get to Tower of London, take the Underground to either Tower Hill or London Bright station
Right in the centre of London, the Tower of London is perhaps the city’s most iconic castle. Known for being a secure fortress, the Tower of London was used to guard members of the Royal family during war and is still used to protect valuable possessions today.
Home to the Crown Jewels, there are 23,578 gemstones guarded here as part of the Royal Collection. You’ll get access to this area as part of the Tower of London general admission ticket price (£34.80).
Prisoners were also kept here throughout history; many who were executed and buried in the chapel, including Henry VIIIs ex-wives Anne Boylen and Catherine Howard.
Yeoman Warders, also known as ‘Beefeaters’ have been guarding the tower since Tudor times, and you’ll see them when you visit!
Try and spot the famous ravens...