A wide range of castles and palaces can be found throughout
Britain. From medieval ruins and formidable fortresses to stately homes
and royal residences, each telling tales of historic battles and aristocratic
intrigue.
The most famous castles and palaces are those belonging to Her Majesty
the Queen , whose Royal Residences include the baroque Highland castle,
Balmoral, Edinburgh’s Palace of Holyroodhouse, Windsor Castle ,
reputedly the Queen’s favourite residence and of course Buckingham
Palace in London , which has been the monarch’s chief royal residence
ever since Queen Victoria moved in.
London’s other famous royal landmark is the Tower of London
and has historically served quite a different purpose than Buckingham
Palace . This iconic fortress was built to keep people out or keep
people in and throughout its long history the Tower has been a Royal
Palace, a prison, a place of execution, a royal arsenal, and a treasury,
which today stores the crown jewels. The walls of the Tower have witnessed
some dark deeds and this famous attraction is said to be haunted.
Elsewhere in England, there are some fabulous castles tucked away
in the countryside, some are private residences and some are open
to the public. Situated in the south east, outside Dover is Leeds
Castle , classically set with a moat and graceful gardens, it is regarded
by many visitors as the loveliest castle in the world. While in the
heart of England, close to Stratford upon Avon is Warwick Castle ,
considered the finest medieval castle in Britain. Warwick Castle features
historic exhibits, wax works from Madam Tussauds and medieval events
throughout the year. Also worth mentioning is Blenhiem Palace just
outside Oxford . This opulent stately house has been designated as
a World Heritage Site, it is the ancestral home of the Duke of Marlborough
and was where Winston Churchill was born and spent much of his childhood.
The country of Wales has more castles per square mile than anywhere
else in the British Isles. Most of these castles date back to the
Middle Ages, as the English sought to extend their rule into Wales.
During the 13th Century King Edward I of England built a ring of fortresses
with castles, like Conwy , Caernarfon , Beaumaris and Harlech in North
Wales to subdue the Welsh Princes in their mountain strongholds of
Snowdonia. Though mostly ruins, these wonderful castles add atmosphere
to an already stunning natural backdrop. Elsewhere in Wales there
are stunning residential castles at Chirk , Cardiff , Powis and Castell
Coch , which are open to the public and are decorated in all manor
of medieval imagery.
While the castles of Wales are concentric in character, the castles
in Scotland are more noted for their stark and sturdy appearance and
their often remote and picturesque locations. The highlands of Scotland
are dotted with castle ruins in scenic settings beside lonely lochs
of which Urquhart Castle located on the shores of Loch Ness is perhaps
the best example. These castles echo with Scotland’s dramatic
history, of figures like Bonnie Prince Charlie , Mary Queen of Scots
and Robert the Bruce and of bloody battles with the Auld Enemy –
the English! The castles that feature most prominently in Scottish
folklore are those of Edinburgh and Stirling , both one time royal
residences, both fearsome fortresses and both etched within the rich
fabric of Scotland’s history.
Britain’s history is written on the walls of its castles and
palaces, making them both fascinating and beautiful places to visit.
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