The best and cheapest castle hotels in the UK

Since early medieval times spectacular castles have been built throughout British history, and today we can find an impressive collection of these regal buildings all around the UK. England alone boasts over 4,000 castles, whilst Wales is home to more castles per square mile than anywhere else in Europe! 

Though many of these historical buildings are either in ruins or have been renovated over the years to keep them alive today, their legacies as castles remain. 

Did you know that you can experience your very own grand getaway in some of these magnificent fortresses? 

After analysing Google reviews and ratings, and gathering costs per night, we’ve crunched the numbers to reveal the best, and cheapest, castle stays around the UK. 

Whether for a special occasion or to unwind and reset, if you want to embark on an enchanting holiday, look no further. First, find the UK’s and South West’s best-rated castles hotels, then read on to discover the best value castles starting from £74 a night. 

The UK’s best-rated castle hotels

1. Hever Castle, Kent 

Photo credit: Shutterstock

Once home to the Boleyn Family, and childhood playground of Anne Boleyn, the castle stands as a testament to the turbulent history of England, offering visitors a glimpse into the lives of the Tudor period and providing a captivating blend of architecture, gardens, and history.

Surrounded by beautiful gardens and a 38-acre lake, creating a stunning and tranquil setting, you can explore the grounds and gardens all within the price of your stay - with tickets to the Castle & Gardens being included with every booking.

Prices start from £180 per night. For the latest prices, visit the Hever Castle website.

2. Roch Castle, Pembrokeshire 

Photo credit: Roch Castle

For a contemporary take on castle life, head to this five-star hotel. The interiors of Roch Castle may be modern, but its history dates back to the 12th century! During its early years, it was one of many border strongholds that divided Anglicised Wales from the independent North.

Today, the castle boasts sleek interiors and artwork celebrating the local area. Tourist destinations like Fishguard, Saundersfoot and St David’s can all be explored from Roch Castle. 

3. Tower, Flintshire

Photo credit: Tower Wales

On the Welsh borders, you’ll find this Grade I-listed stunning castle, dating back to the 1400s. Although its exact construction date is unknown, Tower was first mentioned in a 1465 Lewys Glyn Cothi poem. Its original purpose, however, was a defence home to guard against the English.

Today, it’s the last remaining Welsh fortified tower and can be enjoyed by all – English included. The castle has been sympathetically restored and is decorated with beautiful paintings and antique furniture. Chester lies only a few miles away, whilst the Snowdonia National Park can be reached in an hour.

3. The Citadel, Shropshire

Wake up to one of the few Grade I-listed landscapes at The Citadel, joining Tower at third place. Enjoy the Hawkstone Follies along with the estate’s very own three-acre garden and farmland. Constructed in 1824, The Citadel was designed to look like a castle with three interlinked towers and crenelated battlements (the gaps and indentations in the towers).

Explore the quaint Tudor buildings and independent shops of the nearby town, Shrewsbury. The Shropshire Hills AONB can also be reached via a short drive.

Prices start from £180 per night. Visit The Citadel’s website for up-to-date prices and offers.

 4. Bovey Castle, Dartmoor 

Image credit: Bovey Castle

Roam the halls of a mansion once owned by the famous W H Smith family. They purchased the 275-acre plot in 1890, commissioning a neo-Elizabethan manor for their country retreats.

Now a five-star establishment, guests can enjoy a luxurious spa and two AA Rosette-winning restaurants. Its Dartmoor National Park location means plenty to do, including a host of on-site activities.

How to get there: From Exeter Central, Bovey Castle is a 30-minute car or taxi journey away. 

5. Swinton Estate, North Yorkshire

Comprising 20,000 acres, blending forestry, farmland, and open moorland, Swinton Estate is one of the biggest estates in North Yorkshire. Originally a Georgian country house, under the Gothics influences of the early 1800’s, became a “castle”, with the addition of the turret and castellations.

With a cookery school, spa, numerous restaurants and bars, and borders the Yorkshire Dales National Park, there is so much to explore on the Swinton Estate.

Prices start from £385 per night. Visit the Swinton Estate website for up-to-date prices and offers.

The South West’s best-rated castle hotels

While Bovey Castel wins first place, here are the next best gems in the Southwest just waiting to be explored.

2. Pentillie Castle & Estate, Cornwall

Photo credit: Pentillie Castle & Estate

Nestled in the South West, this Grade II listed country house and estate dates back to 1698 when it was built by Sir James Tillie on the banks of the Cornish River Tamar. It was transformed into a maternity unit during the Blitz, but today, Pentillie operates as a beautiful family-run B&B.

It sits within the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), making it the perfect base for a getaway immersed in nature. Surrounded by private woodland and gardens, Pentillie is also a dog-friendly estate so feel free to bring along your four-legged friend.

How to get there: The closest major train station is Plymouth, where you’ll need to catch the 12 or 12A bus to find yourself just a 15-minute walk from the castle.

3. Thornbury Castle, South Gloucestershire

Photo credit: Thornbury Castle

A stay at Thornbury Castle is like a trip back in time. Once owned by the Tudors, it briefly served as a retreat for Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. To this day, the castle is decorated with Tudor influence.

The Cotswolds are just around the corner, featuring rolling hills and chocolate box villages.

How to get there: The nearest station is Bristol Parkway, where you’ll need to take the number 10 for 35 minutes to Raglan Place, followed by a short 20-minute walk to the castle.

The UK’s best value castle hotels 

Want a regal getaway without a royal budget?  We looked into the best value stays – where you can get the most magnificent of experiences, for the minimal price tag. With some castle stays up to £506 per night, these stays start from just £74.

3. Coombe Abbey, Warwickshire 

Constructed in 1150 (that’s right, almost 900 years ago!), Coombe Abbey spent its early years as a monastery, later becoming home to royals like Princess Elizabeth.

Fit for royalty, this castle-like Abbey is now a four-star hotel where guests can roam the 500-acre parkland, complete with a tree-top adventure course. It’s just a five-mile journey to nearby Coventry, whilst the iconic Warwick Castle can be reached in half an hour.

Prices start from £105 per night. See the Coombe Abbey website for the latest offers and packages.

4. Walworth Castle, Darlington

Dating back to 1150, Walworth Castel is one of our oldest castles. Welcoming royalty, rebels and merchants in its past, the castle has a rich history to explore along with seasonal dining and stunning views.

Picking up a Silver Ward for Green Tourism, the estate team are loving and respectfully restoring the property back to its former glory.

Prices start from £74 per night. See the Walworth Castle website for the latest offers and packages.

5. Cave Castle, Yorkshire

Photo credit: Cave Castle

Although Cave Castle is relatively young as its present form was built in 1875, an ancient fortification on this site was mentioned in the 1086 Domesday book. Little is known about the house before its purchase by the Barnard Family in 1748, but it’s rumoured that George Washington’s great-grandfather lived on the estate before he emigrated to America. 

Steeped in so much history, it’s no surprise it was turned into a hotel for people to enjoy. Nestled in the Yorkshire Wolds, this is the perfect setting for a walking weekend.

The South West’s best value castle hotels

1. Tregenna Castle, Cornwall 

Photo credit: Tregenna Castle 

Tregenna Castle is the perfect backdrop for a fairy tale staycation. The castle was built in 1774 as a private home designed to admire the beautiful St Ives coastline.  

Tregenna’s endless on-site facilities include swimming pools, a golf course and a spa retreat. With St Ives on its doorstep, you don’t have to travel far to soak up the Cornish way of life.

How to get there: The closest station is St Ives, which is a short 15-minute stroll to the castle’s doors.

Prices start from £108 per night. Visit Tregenna Castle’s website for up-to-date prices and offers.

2. Pentillie Castle and Estate, Cornwall

Credit: Pentillie Castle & Estate

That’s right, Pentillie Castle is so good it’s made our list twice! Not only is it our top-rated castle stay in the UK, but it’s also amongst the cheapest in the South West.

Prices start from £200 per night. For the latest prices, visit the Pentillie Castle & Estate website.

3. Bovey Castle, Dartmoor

Third time the charm! As well as being in the UK top 10, and Southwest top 3, Bovey Castle is also one of the best value castles to stay in the region. This manor really does have it all.

For up-to-date offers and prices, visit Bovey Castle’s website.

Are you still looking for your perfect getaway? For more holiday inspiration, check out some of the quirkiest places to stay in the UK. Wherever you decide, we’re here to help you plan your journey. Book your train tickets in advance, and you could make some fantastic savings, thanks to our offers, railcards and discounts.

Methodology

• To find our castle getaways, we collated a seed list of 79 castle hotels from specialist website, Celtic Castles.
• Our definition of castles includes any of the following criteria: A large building or group of buildings, inclusion of towers, fortified walls, high walls, crenulated battlements, built by/for important people, and built for battle.
• To find the best-rated castles we measured each venue’s Google Review rating, the total number of reviews, and the Celtic Castle score. These were given an equal spilt of 33/33/33 weighted rank respectively to generate a score out of 100.
• To find the best value castles an additional metric was added, the starting price which was sourced from Celtic Castles. This received a higher weighting of 50%, and the Google review metrics were given a 25/25 weight respectively to generate a score out of 100.
• Prices that were listed in euros were converted into sterling for comparison.
• Information correct at the time of collection. Please refer to each venue’s own website for the latest information and pricing.