Eight Remarkable, Complimentary Castles to Discover Across England and the United Kingdom
Discover the beauty and history of some of the UK's most iconic castles without breaking the bank, by planning your visit during the annual Heritage Open Days festival. Here's a guide to some of the free castles you can visit in Scotland, England, and Wales.
Scotland
Scotland offers a rich tapestry of history, and two of its most recommended historic sites are Stirling Castle and Doune Castle, both near Edinburgh. While they normally charge admission, they may participate in free entry events like Heritage Open Days. In Edinburgh itself, part of the Palace of Holyroodhouse offers free entry during special festival days in September.
England
England's Heritage Open Days festival offers free entry to many castles and historic buildings, including notable sites like Fountains Abbey and HMS Wellington. While permanent free castle visits are rare, the Open Days allow extensive free access to various sites.
Wales
In Wales, Penrhyn Castle and Garden offer free entry during Heritage Open Days. While Chirk Castle estate access is free, the castle itself costs admission. Raglan Castle, a major Welsh fortress, participates in heritage events where entry might be free or discounted.
Key Note
These free visits are mostly tied to the annual Heritage Open Days festival in September, which opens up hundreds of UK historic sites for free visits with possible advance booking required. Otherwise, these castles usually charge normal admission, and fully free permanent castle visits are rare.
Notable Castles with Special Features
- Kilchurn Castle, the oldest castle in Scotland, built in about 1450, offers free parking at its entrance off A85 for Kilchurn Castle.
- Eye Castle, located in the town of Eye, Suffolk, England, built in the 12th century, has recently been restored and revamped, opening new areas to explore.
- Alnwick Castle, one of the largest inhabited castles in England, has parking for people with limited mobility.
- Harlech Castle, perched on a rocky outcrop with dramatic views over Tremadog Bay, is one of the most important castles in Wales and has been described as Britain's finest example of medieval military architecture.
- Liverpool Castle, a medieval fortification in the village of Rivington, Lancashire, England, was built by King John to protect against Scottish raids.
Castles with Accessibility Features
- Alnwick Castle has parking for people with limited mobility on Castle Square and in the main car park at The Alnwick Garden.
- Parking is available near the cross street car park in Eye Castle.
- Kilchurn Castle has toilets close to the parking lot.
Restored and Revamped Castles
- Eye Castle has undergone recent restoration and revamp, opening new areas to explore.
- Belfast Castle, standing proud on the grounds of Cave Hill Country Park, overlooking the city, was destroyed by fire in 1806 and later became part of a large estate that included a deer park and golf course. It was abandoned during the 1970s but restored in 1980 to serve as an attraction.
Other Notable Features
- The remains of a medieval fishpond can be found at Eye Castle.
- There's a viewing platform in Eye Castle offering wonderful views of the church and surrounding countryside.
- The original drawbridge can be seen at Eye Castle.
- Belfast Castle offers several cafes to enjoy near the site.
- The site of Peveril Castle sits in an imposing location, overlooking the popular village of Castleton in the Peak District.
- There are several cafes to enjoy near the site of Peveril Castle.
The UK has a large number of castles, many of which are a significant part of British history. By planning your visit during the Heritage Open Days festival, you can explore these historic sites without the usual admission fees.
During your UK travel, don't forget to help enrich your lifestyle by visiting iconic home-and-garden sites like the restored and revamped Eye Castle in Suffolk, England, which offers new areas to explore. If you're in Scotland, gain some historical insight as you drive past Kilchurn Castle, whose entrance offers free parking, making it a perfect pit stop for your home-and-garden and travel itinerary.
