Corfe Castle sits high upon the Purbeck hills in Dorset, England. The hilly castle site is located in a natural gap between a vast line of chalk hills, which is where Corfe Castle got its name. Corfe meaning ‘a cutting’ in old English, which refers to the gap between the chalk lines.

Warkworth Castle crowns the hilltop just south of the ancient village of Warkworth in Northumberland. The natural spur sits in a tight loop on the River Conquet, under a mile from the coastline, and guards the important waterway from invaders.

Bamburgh Castle is a mighty stronghold, located high on a crag of dolerite rock, overlooking the Northumbrian coast. The rock forms part of the vast Whin Sill rock formation, which runs across Northumbria. The site of Bamburgh Castle has been inhabited since the Stone Age, and has proved to be an excellent location for a castle ever since.

York Castle sits strategically between the rivers Ouse and Foss in York, the old Viking capital of the Danelaw. With an established Norman Motte and Bailey design, originally of earthworks and timber, York Castle has seen plenty of action, including the famous Harrying of the North.

Lincoln Castle is a large Norman stronghold built high upon an ancient Roman fort in Lincoln, England. It has two mottes and a large bailey, which is a very rare design, as most motte and bailey castles have just one motte. Lincoln Castle has seen many battles through its time. Royalty, nobility and parliamentarians have all fought to seize control of the castle, with its strategic location in the north, and defensive prowess on top of Castle Hill.

Windsor Castle is the largest and oldest inhabited castle in the world. For almost 1000 years Windsor Castle has been home to 39 Kings and Queens, and continues to do so. It is the oldest royal residence in the British Isles to be continually inhabited, with the Queen being officially in residence during Easter, and when the annual Order of the Garter service is held in June.

Dunster Castle, a grand medieval stronghold and now a fine fortified house, has been home to the Luttrell family for 600 years. Commanding a superior defensive position above Dunster medieval village, the stronghold was built to guard the north Somerset coast line. Today it has seen Victorian modifications, giving it the typical grandeur that a castle like this deserves.

Arundel Castle has been a family home to the Dukes of Norfolk and their ancestors for nearly 1000 years, and is one of the longest inhabited country houses in all of England.

Explore the incredible history of Dover Castle, a strategically located fortification that has played a crucial role in England's defence throughout the centuries. A detailed article on the history of Dover Castle with no word limit awaits.

Warwick Castle once home to Warwick the Kingmaker, has imprisoned kings. Discover its long history back to Alfred's daughter Æthelflæd's Anglo-Saxon burgh