Castles to visit England

After Buckingham Palace, it is the second royal place in England, one of the main official residences of the royal family, which still comes here very regularly, usually at Easter and for a week at the end of June. The castle is located in the Thames Valley, west of London, in the city of Windsor in Berkshire. Built 900 years ago by William the Conqueror, 40 km from London, to defend its western access, Windsor Castle has been a royal residence since the 11th century. It was redesigned and enlarged many times: cloister, porte Henri VII, Saint-George chapel founded by King Edward in 1475... King Edward III of England made this chapel in Windsor the cradle of the Order of the Garter in 1348. You can admire many paintings and family portraits and an important collection of armour and weapons. As an anecdote, on 20 November 1992, an important part of the castle - including the Saint-George hall - was damaged by the fire. The fire broke out in the private chapel and caused significant damage to the northwestern part of the building. As the building had not been insured, several royal residences were open to the public in order to raise the 40 million pounds needed for repairs. Since then, the best craftsmen in Great Britain have worked on its restoration, and the work accomplished is superb. It is here that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were married on May 19, 2018, in the St. George's Chapel. Another unforgettable event.

Built in 1119, this medieval castle stands in the beautiful Kent countryside. Once a stronghold, Leeds Castle has since been transformed into a royal residence, with the surrounding wall demolished. The tour includes the moat, now populated by white swans, and a yew labyrinth. The building is considered one of the most beautiful in the world, and houses the only known dog collar museum. You can also watch the celestial ballet of falconry birds of prey. It's a magical setting.

Hampton Court Palace was the favorite residence of the famous King Henry VIII. Along with St. James' Palace, it is the only of Henry VIII's castles to have survived the passage of time. The royal family lived there until the ^18th century. The gardens, with their labyrinth and tennis court built in 1626, are well worth a visit. The Labyrinth is one of the oldest vegetated labyrinths in Europe. Don't miss " The Chocolate Kitchens ", recently opened to the public! They were used for the meticulous preparation of this luxurious food at the time.

At the top of the cliffs lie the ruins of this legendary castle, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of King Arthur. The present structure was built later, in the ^13th century, and the site chosen for its construction is exceptional. To reach it, you have to climb steep, uneven steps. The spectacular views will reward your efforts, and both the panorama and the setting are magnificent, with the jagged coastline all around and the sea as far as the eye can see. An exhibition on site tells the story of the site. A pleasant visit.

This great Norman fortress, partly in ruins, stands to the west of Oxford city center. The wooden fortifications on the motte castrale were replaced by stone in the ^11th century and, like many similar sites in England, the castle was largely destroyed during the English Civil War. In the ^18th century, what remained was converted into a prison. Today, guided tours take visitors into the bowels of the building to discover its varied and tormented history.

A symbol of the small town of Dover, it's one of Britain's most impressive castles. Along with the legendary White Cliffs, it's a must-see in the area. Erected on the cliffs by the Saxons, the building was altered under William the Conqueror, before Henry II rebuilt the fortifications in the ^12th century, giving it its present form. Its keep, enormous surrounding walls and underground passageways make it an extraordinary colossus, whose interest extends far beyond its medieval heritage. There's also a small military museum, reconstructed interiors and the top of the central tower, with its impressive panoramic views of Kent and France. But the highlight of the visit doesn't necessarily come from the Middle Ages, but rather from the Second World War. Ideally placed for the Battle of Britain, Dover Castle played a leading role in the conflicts and even served as headquarters, notably during Operation Dynamo, which saw the evacuation of troops from Dunkirk in 1940. Don't miss the opportunity to explore the military tunnels, with guided tours scheduled throughout the day. You can also explore the hospital in the same way. The rest of the site also features the First World War command post and, above all, the two doyens of the castle: the Saxon chapel Church of St Mary in Castro and the Roman Lighthouse, which dates back to the invasion of the country in 43 AD.

Now in ruins, Canterbury Castle was built by William the Conqueror's Normans from 1070 onwards, and in the ^13th century served as a prison for the entire region. It also served as a warehouse for a gas company during its long history. Little now remains of the building, but it still offers a fine view of the surrounding area from the top of its stairs. Informative panels describe the building's past, allowing visitors to step back in time and imagine what it was like. An interesting visit, but not essential.

To the south-east of Tunbridge Wells, the tiny market town of Lamberhurst is home to this superb estate, with its Victorian mansion, small ^14th-century moated fort and picturesque 315-hectare gardens, which are a delight to explore in autumn or spring, when they're in full bloom. It's an ideal family outing, offering pleasant strolls among the rhododendrons and beautiful interiors. Guided walks are also available. A truly enchanting visit.

Close to the seaside, you can begin by visiting the ruins of the fortified castle which dominates and those of its priory. We also have this rocky promontory of beautiful ocean views.

Built in 1117, Berkeley Castle's history begins with the meeting of the western barons who forced King John to sign the Magna Carta at Runnymede. It continues with the murder of Edward II in 1327 and Cromwell's siege in 1645 (he actually breached the wall, which is legally forbidden to repair). There are many fine interiors to visit, as well as a sublime English-style garden adorned with roses, rare plant species, shrubs and trees. A wonderful visit, typical of the region, and of English castles and their history.

From the imposing castle Normand built under the reign of Henry II, there is only one tower whose inclination more than 15 ° (more than the tower of Pisa) is at least worrying! The rest was demolished during the civil war. From the garden, we have a very nice view over the Severn and the valley.

See also across the city. Town Hall (Town Hall), St Leonard Church, and the street leading to it. Palmer's Hospital (1687, rebuilt in 1889). The Grammar School Dormitories (th century) once a teacher's house. Around the church, Richard Baxter's (th century). In High Street, the th century North Gate. At the same time, The King's Llead and the Swan St Mary's Street, according to a th century plan.

Dunster Castle is situated on a wooded hillside 10 minutes from Minehead. After serving as a medieval fortress, in the ^19th century it became a sumptuous residence belonging to the Luttrell family, who lived there for almost 600 years. The magnificent garden features many varieties of Mediterranean and subtropical plants. Further down, the river leads to the mill, which is still in operation. From the castle, you can enjoy sublime views over the Bristol Channel.