We love a day out at a castle - they're great for families and for us history lovers, convey a sense of the age they were built for. Within their thick stone walls plays of power, intrigue, defence and even murder have been carried out. But due to their nature as defensive fortresses, many were placed on hilltops or among open rolling fields. But for some, railway tracks and stations sprang up close by, during the nineteenth century. If travelling by car isn't an option, you can do what I usually do and that's travel by train. There's no parking to worry about, and you can arrive relaxed and ready for a day of sightseeing. I've rounded up 10 British castles you can access by train - let me know if I've missed any!
A view of Warwick Castle
1. Tower of London
Nearest Station: Tower Hill Station (London Underground)
Set within the busy City of London, the Tower of London has been a royal palace, prison and treasury. Founded in the 1070s by William the Conqueror, it houses the Crown Jewels (with security so tight you can't even take a photo of them) and has a dark history that matches its location right by the inky Thames. Traditionally the place the incoming monarch stayed before their coronation it's witnessed celebrations but also tragedy; it's the site of the execution of many Tudor people of the sixteenth century and the reputed place of death of the Princes in the Tower. Accessible from Tower Hill Station, it’s a must-visit for anyone interested in Medieval, Tudor and Stuart royal history. It was also an important site during World War Two.
2. Windsor Castle
Nearest Station: Windsor & Eton Central
Windsor Castle is a great day out. There's history, art and architecture and it isn't confined to just one period. You can see the Round Tower built by William the Conqueror and walk the corridors and rooms known by monarchs as recently as Elizabeth II and Charles III. It hosted the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and was the birthplace of Henry VI in 1421. Don't forget to visit St George's Chapel where you'll see the burial sites of kings and queens such as Elizabeth Woodville, Edward IV, Henry VIII and Charles I. It's well-signposted from the station and just a short walk through the shopping arcade with plenty of places to stop for a coffee on the way. Look out of the window as you arrive and you'll get a lovely view of the castle on the River Thames from the train.
3. Edinburgh Castle
Nearest Station: Waverley Station (Edinburgh)
Edinburgh Castle is probably the most famous castle in Scotland, welcoming thousands of tourists a year. It's been the subject of sieges and military action, and was a central target during the Rough Wooing of Henry VIII's English government. It's incredibly atmospheric, standing up high on Castle Rock looking down at the rest of the city. There, you can visit the Crown Jewels of Scotland and get to know the building walked in by Scottish nobles and monarchs since the eleventh century. From Waverley Station, it’s a 15-minute, uphill walk.
4. Dover Castle
Nearest Station: Dover Priory
Dover Castle has defended England since at least the twelfth century, when Henry II built the existing castle on the south east coast. It's seen change during the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries and was also an active military base during World War Two. However there are parts of the building tat date to around 43AD from the Roman settlement of Britain. From Dover Priory Station, it's a 20-minute walk to the castle.
5. Cardiff Castle
Nearest Station: Cardiff Central
A stronghold since the eleventh century, Cardiff Castle has been altered significantly during the centuries, used as a building of defence in World War Two. Located in the centre of Cardiff, you'll be able to see Medieval and Victorian architecture, and don't forget the apartments with their beautiful decorations. It was a place of refuge for residents during bomb attacks in the 1940s and you'll see wartime exhibits, as well as being able to walk up the steps to see bird's eye views of the city. Just a 10-15 minute walk from Cardiff Central Station.
6. Caernarfon Castle
Nearest Station: Caernarfon
Caernarfon in North Wales is one of the castles built by the English king Edward I, in the late thirteenth century. Built to enforce dominance over Wales, it's still in good condition and a network of corridors, walls and buildings survive. The castle was attacked in the seventeenth century during the English Civil War but its walls remained intact. While you're there, don't forget to visit the Royal Welsh Fusiliers Museum. The castle is a short walk through the lovely old town of Caernarfon.
7. Arundel Castle
Nearest Station: Arundel Station
Arundel was the home of the earls and countesses that presided over English politics during the medieval era and the lead up to the Wars of the Roses. Elizabeth Woodville's sister, Margaret, married into the family in around 1464 became Countess. Arundel Castle often hosts entertainments such as jousting in the summer months, so it's worth checking out their website for upcoming events. Today the castle is home to the Duke of Norfolk. The castle is around a 10-minute walk from the station.
8. Alnwick Castle
Nearest Station: Alnmouth Station (plus a short bus or taxi ride)
In Northumberland in the north of England, Alnwick Castle was built in the eleventh century and was a base for the medieval Percy family who dominated politics in the fourteenth and fifteenth century. More recently, it served as one of the filming locations for the Harry Potter films. You'll need to get a bus or taxi from Alnmouth Station, which will take about 10-15. minutes.
9. Oxford
Nearest Station: Oxford
Literally a few minutes' walk, Oxford Castle was used as a prison and execution site in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Entry is by guided tour, and your (in character and in full historical dress) guide will walk you through the Norman crypt, the room Empress Matilda was said to have escaped from during the Anarchy and visit some of the cells occupied by notorious criminals. Don't forget to check out the mound at the front of the castle, that's the oldest part.
10. Warwick
Nearest Station: Warwick
From the station the castle is well-signposted, and is a great day out for anyone interested in medieval history. There are birds of prey flying displays, a demonstration of a (huge) trebuchet and you can explore the towers, dungeons and battlements. There are also state of the art exhibitions and displays around the castle, and don't forget to check out the jousting entertainments at the far end of the grounds where you can cheer for the houses of either York and Lancaster. The residence of the Earls of Warwick during the Wars of the Roses, it's very well maintained and preserved. If you're into being spooked you can also buy an add-on ticket to visit the Dungeon entertainments which I've done three times and have to say it gets me every time!
Have I missed any? Let me know in the comments below if you know of other British castles you can access by train and I can update this post. Every effort has been made to give correct information, however check your travel arrangements, connections and destination stations before travelling.
You might also like Where Was Reading's Lost Castle?, The Castle in the Wars of the Roses and 8 Welsh Castles to Put On Your Bucket List Immediately.
0 Comments