Travelers who love history, architecture and exploration may want to add castles to their Great Britain vacation itineraries.
Centuries old castles in Wales and Scotland hold a variety of wonders, each with their own intriguing tales to tell. From Scotland’s romantic Highlands to the lush hilltops of Wales, join me on a tour of some of Great Britain’s most interesting and beautiful castles.
#1 Carreg Cennen Castle, Wales
Dramatically located on a hilltop, overlooking the Welsh countryside in the Brecon Beacons National Park, Carreg Cennen Castle is one of Britain’s most impressively located castles. Legend has it that the original fortress dates back to the Dark Ages held by knights during the reign of King Arthur, and the current castle ruins go back to at least the 13th century. If you’re coming to visit the castle, you definitely want to rent a flashlight, locally called a torch, from the teashop down below. There are some dark, scary passageways at Carreg Cennen Castle and perhaps also ghosts lurking from battles past.
#2 Blair Castle, Scotland
Located in Scotland’s Southern Highlands, Blair Castle dates back to the 13th century and has hosted a variety of important guests throughout history, including Mary Queen of Scotts, Queen Victoria and Bonnie St Charles. As the traditional seat of the Dukes of Atholl, Blair Castle held an important strategic spot on a main route into the Highlands. Today, you can tour both the inside of the castle and enjoy country sporting pursuits on the castle grounds. This fairy tale like castle completes the fantasy by having the last remaining private army in Europe.
#3 Caerlaverock Castle, Scotland
If you’ve always envisioned a castle surrounded by a moat, you may want to add lesser visited Caerlaverock Castle to your bucket list. Located in Dumfries in Southeastern Scotland, this is unique triangular shaped castle is one of the finest medieval structures in Scotland. Close to the border of England on the edge of the Scottish Kingdom, this fortress with its twin-towered gatehouse withstood many assaults and captures. Walking around the castle grounds today, there are lots of interesting details that the keen observer and history buff may relish.
