Top Ten UK Castles with a Breathtaking View!

When it comes to visiting castles there can be many reasons to why you want to visit one. Some people just want to visit a castle that they can spend a couple of hours wandering around, taking in all the different architecture. Others want to see a castle for the history of the region, to learn about the different traditions that people had in the past.

For most though, visiting a castle is just an escape. Well that’s one of the main reasons to why I want to visit a castle. But this isn’t the only reason to visit a castle, in fact, a really great reason to visit a castle is the view that you can see from the top of a castle! This is an experience like no other. You’ll get a view point like no other, either at the top of the bottom of the castle. So here we have it, the top ten UK castles with a breathtaking view!

1.Beeston Castle

This has to be the top of any list for castles with a breathtaking view! With a huge hill to climb up (at least I’ve warned you), you will be rewarded at the top with a view like no other.

Even before you’ve made it to the top of Beeston castle, you can easily see why this is one of the most dramatic ruins in the UK. 

Crowning a rocky crag and boasting spectacular views, Beeston is one of the most dramatically sited medieval castles in the UK. 

On a clear day you can see all the way from the Pennines to the Welsh mountains (now that is amazing)!

It’s not just the view that is incredible for this castle though, with a 4,000 year history, a replica Bronze Age roundhouse, and a 40-acre woodland park, Beeston Castle has everything that you could possibly want for a day trip, so it’s pretty much perfect. 

2. Urquhart Castle

Has anyone actually seen the Loch Ness monster?

I remember coming here when I was younger and I was so excited to see this creature. I think I made my parents wait around a lot longer then they originally planned just so I could see something.

Unfortunately, I don’t think we were lucky enough to see a monster that day.

Urquhart Castle is a sight to behold though. Once one of Scotland’s largest castles, Urquhart saw great conflict during its 500 years as a medieval fortress.

It is now no longer quite as impressive in size, but the view makes up it.

You can easily spend five minutes here, but I strongly encourage anyone who is visiting to spend more time. You need to soak up the atmosphere of one of Scotland’s most famous lochs!

You can also easily admire the strategic setting of the castle, on a rocky promontory with an open outlook up and down Loch Ness. A view that is not something that you see everyday!

3. Leeds Castle

I haven’t been to this castle since I lived down in London, but it was the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the busy city life.

The great thing is that you can buy a year long ticket for the same price as a day pass, you just had to have your photo taken, and give them some details. So if you live nearby, then this is the perfect place to go and visit.

Leeds castle is coined as ‘The Loveliest Castle in the World’, it is the perfect place for a great day out with the family or a romantic getaway with a loved one!

4. Conwy Castle

Words cannot begin to describe Conwy Castle. The best, simple description is found in the guidebook published by CADW, the Welsh Historic Trust, which states: “Conwy is by any standards one of the great fortresses of medieval Europe”.

Conwy Castle was designed by Edward I’s master castle builder James of St. George, (who also built Caernarfon and Harlech) and while Harlech has a more storied past, Conwy’s eight massive towers and high curtain wall are more impressive than those at Harlech.

You can get a good view of the castle by climbing up many of its towers and seeing the rest of the castle from the wall walk. But it’s not just the castle that you get an amazing view of, from the top of the castle, you can look out at the town walls, town and quayside.

5. Tintagel Castle

You don’t see many castles down in Cornwall – when you think of castles you normally think of Wales or Scotland for castles in the UK. But here we have Tintagel in Cornwall.

This is a castle that you can immerse yourself in history, myths and stunning scenery. This Cornish castle has links to the stories of King Arthur.

You can cross the spectacular new bridge to take in unforgettable views of the coastline and explore the history-rich headland.

You can walk among the castle ruins that still cling to the cliffs, find early-medieval remains and meet Gallos – the life-size bronze statue of an ancient king who keeps watch over the wild seas below. The views at this castle are simply breathtaking.

6. Dunstanburgh Castle

This castle is the ideal spot for any families planning a day trip out. You can spend an hour or two exploring the castle. You can explore the great gatehouse and the imposing Lilburn Tower, which commands stunning views north towards Bamburgh Castle.

Be warned – there’s a 1.5 mile walk from the car park up to this castle, but it is so worth it.

Once you get up to the top of the hill and get to explore the castle, you can forget about the real world and escape any stresses that you might be dealing with.

You can sit with a picnic if you like, or just take in the magnificent sea views. This is a view like no other, and you won’t be able to experience it anywhere else.

7. Dunnottar Castle

If you have young children, then you might recognise this from the film Brave (well at least it was used as inspiration).

This castle is one that can offer you an unforgettable experience – once visited, it is one that you will never forget!

This is a romantic, evocative and historically significant ruined Castle, perched on a giant conglomerate on the edge of the North-Sea in Scotland.

If you are interested in Scottish history, then you’ll be pleased to know that William Wallace, Mary Queen of Scots, the Marquis of Montrose and the future King Charles II have graced the Castle with their presence!

8. Bamburgh Castle

If you ever find yourself in Northumberland, then no visit would be complete without a visit to Bamburgh Castle.

You can experience Northumberland at a different level from magnificent Bamburgh Castle. 

Whether it’s the thrill of seeing the coast open out beneath you, with mesmerising views towards the Farne Islands, Holy Island and Bamburgh village that you just can’t see from anywhere else.

Or perhaps you are more interested in glorious staterooms, filled with treasures from around the world, including the castle’s centrepiece – The King’s Hall, you will discover a castle like no other.

Standing guard above the spectacular Northumberland coastline for over 1,400 years, you can step through centuries of history at this nine-acre site and it is an experience like no other, with views that you cannot experience anywhere else. 

9. Lindisfarne Castle

Visting Lindisfarne Castle is a great experience, but one takes plenty of planning. You cannot simply stroll up to this Castle whenever you feel like it. The opening times for this castle vary as it depends on the tide times.

This in itself makes the Castle different. But it is so worth crossing Holy Island’s causeway as well as visiting Holy Island itself.

If you do plan to visit this Castle, then you should try and walk up to the castle if you can, as this will give you plenty of time to appreciate this historic building as well as the location.

The history of this Castle is fascinating in itself, but just from where this Castle is situated, you have to admit it’s pretty impressive – sited atop the volcanic mound known as Beblowe Craig, Lindisfarne Castle is one of the most distinct and picturesque features of the Island and can be seen for many miles around.

10. St Michael’s Mount

Another Castle that can be found in Cornwall.

For anyone that is seriously interested in escaping the world for a few hours, then St Michael’s Mount is the Castle for you.

You can explore the amazing island world of St Michael’s Mount and discover legend, myth and over a thousand years of incredible history.

The views that you get when you scale the fairytale turrets are just completely dazzling, and it a view that can only be experience for a few hours everyday. So make sure you time your visit right with the tide, you don’t want to miss out on this!

So there you have the top ten castles with breathtaking views! Now most of them seem to involve water, but the views are something which can only be experienced at each individual Castle.

Many of these Castles have views that you can simply sit and look at for a couple of hours, enjoying the peace and natural beauty of the world.

If you are a person who needs to take a moment away from the hustle and bustle of your everyday life, then these castles can help you with that – as the views can just transport to another world. A world where things are a lot simpler and you don’t have to worry about anything as you take the view in!