by Anna Hann
posted on June 20, 2025
The idea of hitting the open road and exploring is one filled with excitement and adventure.
Knowing where to start and where to go? That’s a different question. Sometimes you might have an idea — perhaps a road trip through the Scottish Highlands, or touring the Cotswolds. But if you’re wondering where to begin, a great way to start planning a road trip is by choosing a theme, whether it’s beaches, movie locations, or history.
With countless castles across Great Britain, castle hopping will take you on an adventure through history, one turreted tower at a time.
So, pick a route, pack your curiosity, and get ready to drive through centuries of royal drama and rebellion, and scenes from the silver screen.
ROUTE 1
5 days – 550 miles
ROUTE 2
3 days – 200 miles
ROUTE 3
4 days – 350 miles
ROUTE 4
5 days – 500 miles
Route 1: Clifftop forts and garden castles of the south
If you feel like exploring some of Britain’s most characterful castles, this route through England’s southern counties makes a solid choice. Over five or six days, you’ll cover seven stops. Some castles are polished and palatial, while others lie in part-ruin, with ivy growing in the cracks. There’s a bit of everything on this route, from royal history, lakeside views and hidden tunnels, and the odd surprise around a turreted corner.
The route starts in Dover, about a two-hour drive from central London, depending on traffic, or book a car in Dover and set off from there.
Dover Castle, Kent
You’ll begin high above the English Channel at Dover Castle, one of the largest and oldest fortresses in England. For nearly 900 years, it’s kept watch over the coast. Step into the medieval great tower, wander through recreated royal rooms, and head underground to explore the secret wartime tunnels. If the skies are clear, the views from the battlements reach France.
Next drive: 45 miles, just over 1 hour to Leeds Castle.
Leeds Castle, Kent
Your second stop is the impossibly picturesque Leeds Castle, which rises from a lake in the Kent countryside. It’s been a Norman stronghold, a royal palace, and a private home, and it’s now one of the most photogenic castles in the country. You can explore the richly furnished interiors, stroll the landscaped grounds, and lose yourself in the maze.
Allow yourself 2 to 3 hours, or more if you’re visiting with kids or planning to have lunch at the café. There are also on-site accommodation options, including rooms in the castle, holiday cottages, and even glamping in the summer.
Next drive: 35 miles, about 1 hour to Hever Castle.
Hever Castle, Kent
Hever Castle was the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, and it has a romantic, storybook feel from the moment you cross the drawbridge. Inside, it’s full of Tudor details: timber beams, tapestries, secret doors, and a cracking collection of portraits. The gardens are just as dreamy, with a 100-year-old maze and lakeside walks.
Spend 2 to 3 hours exploring or check into one of Hever’s B&B rooms or cottages for a peaceful night among the roses.
Next drive: 50 miles, just under 1.5 hours to Arundel Castle.
Arundel Castle, West Sussex
Next up is the very grand Arundel Castle, set in the pretty town of the same name. This one has everything you’d hope for: a dramatic gatehouse, towering stone walls, finely decorated interiors, and a collection of swords and suits of armour that would impress any medieval knight. The gardens are especially lovely in spring and summer, with tulips, roses, and formal borders on full display.
While you can’t stay overnight in the castle itself, Arundel has no shortage of places to stay nearby. You could even continue the castle theme with a night at Amberley Castle, just a short drive from Arundel.
Next drive: 55 miles, about 1.5 hours to Windsor.
Windsor Castle, Berkshire
Windsor is more than just a castle. It’s a current royal residence. Windsor Castle has been home to monarchs for over 1,000 years and remains one of the most visited historic sites in the country. Inside, you’ll find ceremonial rooms, a spectacular State Dining Hall, and St George’s Chapel, where several royals are buried.
Give yourself at least half a day here. It gets busy, so arriving early is a good idea, especially if you want to catch the Changing of the Guard. You can’t stay at the castle, but Windsor town has plenty of hotels, riverside pubs, and cosy spots to stay the night.
Next drive: 70 miles, just over 2 hours to Sudeley.
Sudeley Castle, Gloucestershire
Tucked into the edge of the Cotswolds, Sudeley Castle has a lovely mix of the grand and the gently crumbling. Parts of the castle are in perfect condition, while other wings are romantic ruins covered in climbing plants.
You can stroll through ten themed gardens, visit the small chapel, and spot the resident peacocks strutting around like they own the place. If you’d like to stay nearby, Sudeley has self-catering cottages on the estate, which make a peaceful and scenic base for the night.
Next drive: 45 miles, about 1.5 hours to Farleigh Hungerford.
Farleigh Hungerford Castle, Somerset
Onwards to Somerset for something a bit different. Farleigh Hungerford Castle is smaller and more ruined than the others on the route, but it’s full of strange, fascinating stories. Expect tales of treachery, imprisonment, and some particularly unsettling goings-on in the chapel. You’ll find painted tombs, a dungeon, and parts of the original curtain wall still standing.
It’s a nice final stop before heading into nearby Bath for the night, then making the return drive to Dover the following day.
Next drive: 160 miles, around 3.5 hours back to Dover.
Route 2: Gothic towers and ghostly tales of the north
This circular road trip through northern England is packed with drama, from solid Norman keeps to coastal castles balanced above crashing waves. Along the way, you’ll pass through the Yorkshire Dales, cross the moors of Northumberland, and wind along the North Sea coast. You’ll visit six standout castles, each one full of stories, surprises, and superb scenery. Begin your route by hiring a car in Richmond or nearby towns such as Harrogate or York. They’re all are well-connected by train from major cities.
Richmond Castle, North Yorkshire
Begin your journey in Richmond, a lively market town with cobbled streets and views across the River Swale. Richmond Castle was built just after the Norman conquest and features one of the oldest stone keeps in the country. Though partly ruined, it’s an impressive structure with expansive views from the tower and a poignant former barracks with First World War graffiti.
Next drive: 18 miles to Bolton Castle, around 40 minutes.
Bolton Castle, North Yorkshire
Bolton Castle sits high above the valley in the quiet village of Castle Bolton. It was designed more as a fortified manor house than a military fortress, and once held Mary, Queen of Scots, as a reluctant guest. Its mix of towers, gardens, and open-air ruins gives it a strong sense of place. Falconry, a maze, and a medieval herb garden round out the experience.
Next drive: 25 miles to Skipton Castle, allow an hour on the winding roads.
Skipton Castle, North Yorkshire
One of the best-preserved medieval castles in England, Skipton Castle is remarkably intact for its age, boasting impressive battlements and a Tudor courtyard. It’s right in the centre of town, with stone steps leading up to arrow slits and a great hall that has witnessed more than 900 years of history. The town itself is full of shops, cafés, and walking trails along the nearby canal.
If you’ve visited Richmond, Bolton, and Skipton in one day, Harrogate is a good place to plan to stop overnight.
Next drive: 90 miles to Alnwick Castle, zipping up the A1 in around 2.5 hours.
Alnwick Castle, Northumberland
Alnwick Castle is a striking blend of lived-in family home and high-gloss heritage site. Still owned by the Duke of Northumberland, it’s famous for its grand interiors and film credentials, including appearances in the Harry Potter series. You can even have broomstick training in the grounds where the wizards had their lesson in the first movie. If you’re keen, check sessions are running before you arrive. Outside, the adjoining Alnwick Garden offers something completely different, from a formal cascade to The Poison Garden and the largest wooden treehouse in the world.
Next drive: 17 miles to Bamburgh Castle, allowing a good 35 minutes.
Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland
You’re coast-bound now, heading to Bamburgh Castle which stands on a rocky bluff with waves crashing at its base and vast sandy beaches stretching on either side. Inside, the halls are filled with weapons, portraits, and tales of the sea. The castle’s long view out across the North Sea makes it a place that feels both remote and monumental.
Next drive: 17 miles to Chillingham Castle.
Chillingham Castle, Northumberland
Chillingham Castle is renowned for its eclectic collections and theatrical style, as well as its reputation as one of the most haunted places in Britain. The rooms are packed with relics and oddities, and you’re never far from a story about something that bumped in the night. You can explore the interiors, gardens, and courtyard, or stay overnight in the estate’s self-catering apartments if you’re brave enough.
Next drive: 80 miles back to Richmond on the A1 to complete the loop.
Route 3: Towering tales and Highland drama of Scotland
This circuit through central and northern Scotland takes you deep into a land of legends, peppered with royal plots, and castles with commanding views. It’s a journey through some of the country’s most atmospheric landscapes, where mist hangs over lochs and every winding road seems to lead to another turreted surprise. Along the way, you’ll explore six castles, some grand, some ghostly, with time for detours through glens, quiet villages, and woodlands if you’re in no rush.
Edinburgh Castle
Begin your journey at Edinburgh Castle, which looms above the city from its position on Castle Rock. It’s one of Scotland’s most visited landmarks, and with good reason. Inside, you’ll find the Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny, the National War Museum, and plenty of royal drama. Step onto the battlements and you get some of the best views across the capital.
Next drive: 12 miles, about 30 minutes to Craigmillar Castle for an optional stop, then 40 miles, just over 1 hour to Stirling.
Stirling Castle
Stirling Castle has stood at the heart of Scottish history for centuries. With its panoramic views and dramatic setting on a rocky crag, it has long been a key stronghold between the Highlands and Lowlands. Inside, the Renaissance palace has been faithfully recreated, complete with painted ceilings and costumed guides. From battles to royal births, the castle has seen it all.
Stirling itself is an easy place to spend a night, with guesthouses and modern hotels close to the town centre.
Next drive: 12 miles, about 25 minutes to Doune.
Doune Castle, Perthshire
Doune Castle is a rugged and dramatic structure, characterised by high curtain walls and an open central courtyard. It’s a familiar face from screen appearances in Outlander, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and Game of Thrones. The audio guide includes narration by the late Monty Python actor, Terry Jones, which adds a certain charm to your walk through the halls.
Next drive: 85 miles, around 2 hours to Inveraray.
Inveraray Castle, Argyll
Turn west now, heading to Inveraray on the edge of Loch Fyne. Inveraray Castle is a striking 18th-century home of the Dukes of Argyll, with turrets, sweeping lawns, and a long armoury hall lined with antique weapons. The interiors are elegant, and the gardens are ideal for a peaceful stroll or a lakeside picnic. The setting, between forested hills and calm water, feels especially cinematic.
Consider staying overnight nearby. Inveraray has a handful of small hotels and inns within walking distance of the castle.
Next drive: 115 miles, about 3 hours to Craigievar.
Craigievar Castle, Aberdeenshire
Head northeast to reach one of Scotland’s most fairytale-like castles. Craigievar Castle is known for its soft pink exterior and delicate turrets, perched on a hillside surrounded by woods. Built in the 17th century and largely unchanged since, it’s filled with original furniture and portraits, all accessible via narrow spiral staircases. The setting is peaceful, and it really does look like it’s appeared from a pop-up fairytale book.
The nearest towns for accommodation are Banchory and Ballater, both within easy reach.
Next drive: 60 miles, about 1.5 hours to Glamis Castle.
Glamis Castle, Angus
Glamis Castle has all the theatrical flair you’d expect from the former home of the Queen Mother and the reputed setting for Shakespeare’s Macbeth. It’s grand, gothic, and beautifully kept, with richly decorated rooms, family history displays, and well-tended grounds. The driveway alone feels like an entrance to something significant.
You can stop in nearby Forfar or continue south through Perthshire on your way back toward Edinburgh.
Next drive: 70 miles, about 2 hours to Edinburgh.
Route 4: Mighty walls and whispered legends of Wales
If you like your castles on the serious side of dramatic (think huge, timeworn, and packed with stories), this Welsh road trip delivers. You’ll loop through the south, west, and north of Wales, tracing a path past towers, clifftop strongholds, and walled towns that still look much as they did 700 years ago. Along the way, expect sweeping coastlines, mountain passes, and plenty of places to pull over and go “wow.”
Caerphilly Castle, Caerphilly
Begin in South Wales, where the M4 and train links make it easy to collect a car and hit the road. The first castle is just a short hop north. Caerphilly Castle is hard to miss. It’s the largest in Wales by area, surrounded by lakes and equipped with all the defensive tricks medieval builders could dream up. It was built in the 13th century to keep the Welsh princes at bay, and it continues to dominate the landscape. Inside, you’ll find high towers, thick curtain walls, and a famously leaning tower that leans more than the Tower of Pisa.
Next drive: 30 miles, about 1 hour to Raglan.
Raglan Castle, Monmouthshire
Raglan Castle is more refined than rugged. It came late to the medieval game and was built with comfort and style in mind. There’s still a moat, a great gatehouse, and towers to climb, but also large windows, decorative stonework, and a sense of grandeur. It was one of the last true castles built in Wales before the age of artillery made such fortresses obsolete.
The surrounding countryside is quiet and open, with pubs and inns dotted nearby.
Next drive: 90 miles, just under 3 hours to Pembroke.
Pembroke Castle, Pembrokeshire
Pembroke Castle sits right on the river and makes quite the impression. Its thick stone walls and enormous round keep have seen their share of sieges, but it’s perhaps most famous as the birthplace of Henry Tudor, who later became Henry VII. You can walk the ramparts, explore the chambers, and head down to the natural cave that lies beneath the castle foundations.
Pembroke town has plenty of guesthouses, and it’s an excellent base for exploring nearby beaches and the Pembrokeshire Coast Path.
Next drive: 85 miles, about 2.5 hours to Harlech.
Harlech Castle, Gwynedd
Harlech Castle rises straight from the rock, perched high above Cardigan Bay with mountains behind and the sea below. Built by Edward I during his conquest of Wales, a long stone staircase, known as the Way from the Sea, once led directly from the sea to the castle gate, allowing supplies to be brought in even during a siege. Today, the views from the towers are worth the climb.
Next drive: 50 miles, around 1.5 hours to Conwy.
Conwy Castle, Conwy
Conwy is a walled town that feels like you’re stepping back in time. Castle Conwy is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with soaring towers and walkways that look out over the harbour and hills. The town walls are almost fully intact, and you can walk along them for fantastic views and a better sense of how the medieval town was laid out.
Conwy is a good place to spend the night, with harbourside B&Bs, local shops, and plenty of places to eat.
Next drive: 140 miles, around 3.5 hours to finish the loop in Cardiff.
Planning your castle road trip
How long to allow
Each of the four routes works well over five to six days, depending on your pace. You could stretch them longer with detours to beaches, market towns, or a few unplanned tea and cake stops. If you’re short on time, consider picking a stretch of the route and turning it into a long weekend instead.
When to go
Late spring and early autumn are the ideal times. You’ll have fewer crowds and more room to explore. Summer brings family-friendly events, but it’s also a busy time. Winter is quieter and atmospheric, although some castles close or shorten their hours, so it’s worth checking before setting off.
Driving notes
On many stretches on all the itineraries, you’ll follow both A-roads and country lanes, with the occasional single-track stretch in rural areas. Parking is usually available on site at the castles, but it’s worth checking ahead, especially for larger castles like Windsor or Edinburgh. And yes, sheep, tractors, and unexpectedly narrow roads may all be part of the road trip experience.
Booking advice
Some castles recommend or require advance tickets, particularly during school holidays. You’ll often save a bit by booking online. Look out for combined tickets if you’re planning to visit gardens or exhibitions on the same estate. For instance, lots of castles in England are managed by English Heritage, and you can get Explorer Passes for castles managed by Historic Environment Scotland.
Where to stay
From glamping near a moat to Georgian inns in castle towns, there’s something for every travel style. If you’re keen on castle views from your bedroom window, book early — those rooms can go quickly. Some castles even have self-catering cottages or B&B rooms right on the grounds.
Getting there
Each route can start by collecting a car on Turo from a central transport hub, whether that’s London, Cardiff, Edinburgh, or York. Since every route forms a loop, there’s no need to double back, and you can return the car to the same location you collected it from.
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