Best castles in England
Published
New research has identified the most authentic medieval castles in England for family days out where visitors aren’t just learning about history, but physically moving through it.
Across England, historic attractions recorded over 71 million visits in a single year, with castles remaining among the most popular destinations for families during weekends and school holidays.
Within this landscape, one site stands above all others: the Tower of London, which attracted around 2.9 million visitors in 2024 alone, making it the most visited paid heritage attraction in England.
Within this, a new ranking by PBSR CO has revealed the castles that offer the most immersive experience of the Middle Ages based not on reconstructions, but on how much of their original medieval structure, layout, and stonework still survives today.
At the top of the list is the Tower of London, followed closely by Colchester Castle, which ranks second overall and stands out as one of the most engaging medieval experiences for families in England.
Top 10 castles for an authentic medieval experience:
1. Tower of London, Greater London
2. Colchester Castle, Essex
3. Aydon Castle, Northumberland
4. Callaly Castle, Northumberland
5. Stokesay Castle, Shropshire
6. Dover Castle, Kent
7. Armathwaite Castle, Cumbria
8. Borwick Hall, Lancashire
9. Branthwaite Hall, Cumbria
10. Broughton Tower, Lancashire
Researchers found that across many of these sites, visitors are still walking on original medieval stone surfaces meaning families are physically interacting with materials laid centuries ago. This creates a rare educational experience where history is not just observed, but experienced directly through movement, scale, and texture.
