Berkshire


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-windsor-castle-windsor"><a href="https://www.rct.uk/visit/windsor-castle" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Windsor Castle</a>, Windsor</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="799" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/PP1515-Windsor-Castle-Peter-Packer.jpg" alt="Royal Collection Trust / © His Majesty King Charles III 2024 best castles berkshire" class="wp-image-65328" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/PP1515-Windsor-Castle-Peter-Packer.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/PP1515-Windsor-Castle-Peter-Packer-800x639.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/PP1515-Windsor-Castle-Peter-Packer-400x320.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/PP1515-Windsor-Castle-Peter-Packer-768x614.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Royal Collection Trust / © His Majesty King Charles III 2024</figcaption></figure>



<p>Want to explore castles in Berkshire? The royals’ weekend hangout (fingers crossed you’ll spot HRM),&nbsp;Windsor Castle, is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world – pretty impressive, right? Inside the castle you can see several exhibitions including&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rct.uk/visit/windsor-castle/top-things-to-see-and-do-at-windsor-castle"><em>Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House</em></a>&nbsp;– works by Rembrandt, Van Dyck, Rubens and Artemisia removed from the Picture Gallery at Buckingham Palace&nbsp;– as well as a family trail and guided tours. And if you want the ultimate king treatment, throw your hat in the ring for a chance to&nbsp;<a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/reader-treats/win-5-x-family-tickets-to-windsor-castle-worth-600/">win 5 x family tickets to Windsor Castle, worth £600.</a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-highclere-castle-newbury"><a aria-label="Highclere Castle (opens in a new tab)" href="https://highclerecastleshop.co.uk/categories/admission-tickets" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Highclere Castle</a>, Newbury</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/03/Highclere-Castle.jpg" alt="Highclere castle Newbury Berkshire gothic country house Downton Abbey best castles berkshire" class="wp-image-20640" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/03/Highclere-Castle.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/03/Highclere-Castle-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/03/Highclere-Castle-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/03/Highclere-Castle-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/03/Highclere-Castle-720x480.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The biggest star of&nbsp;<em>Downton Abbey</em>? No, Carson it’s not you or the Earl of Grantham’s labradors (they come a close second though) –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.highclerecastle.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Highclere Castle&nbsp;</a>takes the crown. It was pretty famous before its TV and film debut, as the ancestral home of Howard Carter (5th Earl of&nbsp;Carnarvon)&nbsp;who discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922. Now the 8th Earl and Countess of&nbsp;Carnarvon open their home to coach loads of tourists who come to experience a bit of real life of Downton magic. Some may even nod enthusiastically at the “Capability” Brown gardens. Booking is essential. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-donnington-castle-newbury"><a aria-label="Donnington Castle (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/donnington-castle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Donnington Castle</a>, Newbury</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/06/Donnington-Castle-nwwbury.jpg" alt="Donnington-Castle best castles berkshire" class="wp-image-27853" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/06/Donnington-Castle-nwwbury.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/06/Donnington-Castle-nwwbury-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/06/Donnington-Castle-nwwbury-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/06/Donnington-Castle-nwwbury-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/06/Donnington-Castle-nwwbury-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/06/Donnington-Castle-nwwbury-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The striking twin-towered gatehouse of 14th century <a aria-label="Donnington Castle (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/donnington-castle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Donnington Castle</a>, near Newbury, survives but that&#8217;s about it. Perched on a hill overlooking the Lambourn Valley, it&#8217;s a landmark that&#8217;ll entice the most reluctant walkers to put one foot in front of the other. Pack a picnic and enjoy the circular stomp takes in Snelsmore Common, woodland and the castle ruins (a bigger player in the Civil War) and rumour has it Henry VIII and Elizabeth I both stayed here. Free entry.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-oxford-castle-amp-prison-central-oxford"><a href="https://www.oxfordcastleandprison.co.uk/?gclid=CjwKCAjw1K75BRAEEiwAd41h1Cor8lZ-tdrusSah5aFofvB7gDmuL7T32Qa5hPOhzO7RsxO-ZovEGBoCpugQAvD_BwE">Oxford Castle &amp; Prison</a>, central Oxford</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="696" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/Oxford-Castle-and-Prison-min.jpg" alt="best castles berkshire" class="wp-image-66165" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/Oxford-Castle-and-Prison-min.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/Oxford-Castle-and-Prison-min-800x557.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/Oxford-Castle-and-Prison-min-400x278.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/Oxford-Castle-and-Prison-min-768x535.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>It’s not often you find a castle slap-bang in the middle of a city and Oxford’s is a goodie. Think guided character tours of the site taking in the historic Saxon St. George’s Tower with panoramic views of the dreaming spires, the 18th-century debtors’ tower, and the spooky 900-year-old crypt. Oh yeah, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.malmaison.com/locations/oxford/">Malmaison</a>&nbsp;is right on the doorstep for afternoon tea and cocktails, as is Westgate Oxford for a right royal shopping spree. That’s your itinerary sorted.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wallingford-castle-wallingford"><a href="https://www.wallingfordmuseum.org.uk/castle">Wallingford Castle</a>, Wallingford</h2>



<p>The ruins of this major medieval castle in the pretty market town of Wallingford make for a gorgeous picnic spot. The castle grounds are bursting with colourful blooms (they’ve been recognised by the Britain in Bloom awards no less!) and there’s an abundance of butterflies in the summertime plus you can walk along the Thames footpath nearby or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pureboating.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hire an electric boat</a>&nbsp;if you want to take to the water.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broughton-castle-near-banbury"><a href="https://www.broughtoncastle.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Broughton Castle</a>, near Banbury</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="654" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/broughton.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-66160" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/broughton.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/broughton-800x523.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/broughton-400x262.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/broughton-768x502.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>A beautiful moated and fortified manor house, Broughton Castle has belonged to the Fiennes family since 1447. It’s one of my favourite local castles – small enough to get around without boring young children, and a lovely garden for them to bomb about in. You’ll need permission to park a picnic.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-warwick-castle-warks"><a href="https://www.warwick-castle.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Warwick Castle</a>, Warks</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/warwick.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-66166" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/warwick.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/warwick-800x534.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/warwick-400x267.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/warwick-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>A spectacular castle just over the border, Warwick is always a winner with Muddy and it’s always got something new to lure us back. The castle and knight’s village are both open and to keep the little people entertained there’s The Falconer’s Quest (the UK’s biggest birds of prey show), the spooky castle dungeon.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kenilworth-castle-warks"><a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/kenilworth-castle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kenilworth Castle</a>, Warks</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/kenilworth-castle-good-journey-copy.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-66163" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/kenilworth-castle-good-journey-copy.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/kenilworth-castle-good-journey-copy-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/kenilworth-castle-good-journey-copy-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/kenilworth-castle-good-journey-copy-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>An impressive medieval fortress-turned-Elizabethan-palace, Kenilworth has loads to see within its grounds including the mighty Norman keep at the heart. Also worth mentioning are the beautifully restored Elizabethan gardens with their marble fountain, ornate aviary and pretty floral displays, plus there’s a café on site. You have to pay to visit, unless you’re a member of English Heritage, but there are some fab walks around the castle on public footpaths too.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sudeley-castle-glos-cotswolds"><a href="https://sudeleycastle.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sudeley Castle</a>, Glos, Cotswolds</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="552" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/HOMEPAGE_-SudeleyCastleHR-55_2024-02-28-093228_bavh.jpg" alt="best castles berkshire" class="wp-image-66162" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/HOMEPAGE_-SudeleyCastleHR-55_2024-02-28-093228_bavh.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/HOMEPAGE_-SudeleyCastleHR-55_2024-02-28-093228_bavh-800x442.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/HOMEPAGE_-SudeleyCastleHR-55_2024-02-28-093228_bavh-400x221.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/HOMEPAGE_-SudeleyCastleHR-55_2024-02-28-093228_bavh-768x424.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Located near Winchcombe, it’s no surprise that this majestic castle is a popular wedding venue: the grounds are perfectly manicured and boast views of the rolling Cotswolds. (History nerds will also be interested to know that it’s the only private castle in England to have actual royalty buried within its grounds – Henry VIII’s last wife, Katherine Parr). There’s plenty to entertain for an afternoon with an adventure playground and 10 – yes 10! – award-winning gardens to explore. Extra points if you spot all 16 species of pheasants that strut around the grounds.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-berkhamsted-castle-herts"><a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/berkhamsted-castle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Berkhamsted Castle</a>, Herts</h2>



<p>Considering it was built during the Norman Conquest, way back in 1066, what remains of this timber motte-and-bailey castle is still pretty substantial and a great option for a family walk peppered with history. Come for a walk around the ruins, and discover Berkhamsted’s history with their mobile-friendly interactive Castle guide.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hever-castle-kent"><a href="https://www.hevercastle.co.uk/">Hever Castle</a>, Kent</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="653" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/hever.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-66161" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/hever.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/hever-800x522.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/hever-400x261.jpeg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/hever-768x502.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>A 13th-century stunner and childhood home of Anne Boleyn, Hever has everything you’d want from a castle – towers, a moat, and a royal haunting thanks to rumours that Anne’s ghost still resides in the chambers. Over half term, you can take on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hevercastle.co.uk/whats-on/art-week/">Art Week</a>&nbsp;challenge or explore the beautiful gardens (including playgrounds and water maze). The 38-acre man-made lake offers lovely vistas, nature walks, and even boat hire.<em></em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-arundel-castle-west-sussex"><a href="https://www.arundelcastle.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arundel Castle</a>, West Sussex</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="514" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/arundell-2800x1440-1.jpg" alt="best castles berkshire" class="wp-image-66159" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/arundell-2800x1440-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/arundell-2800x1440-1-800x411.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/arundell-2800x1440-1-400x206.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/arundell-2800x1440-1-768x395.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Arundel Castle looks like something out of a storybook with its old motte perched high (100 feet to be exact) on an artificial mound overlooking the beautiful West Sussex countryside and the River Arun. The gardens here are expansive including the award-winning Tropical&nbsp;&amp; English&nbsp;Gardens, the quirky Stumpery and abundant Kitchen Garden with warm glasshouses growing chillis, grapes and lemons.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-leeds-castle-kent"><a href="https://www.leeds-castle.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leeds Castle</a>, Kent</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/leeds-castle-during-the-day.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-66164" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/leeds-castle-during-the-day.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/leeds-castle-during-the-day-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/leeds-castle-during-the-day-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2024/05/leeds-castle-during-the-day-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Perched on an island in the middle of the River Len, five miles southeast of Maidstone, Leeds castle has a lot on offer for a jam-packed day including – deep breath – playgrounds, mini golf, pretty gardens, maze, Birds of Prey Centre and, er, Dog Collar Museum!</p>


Man the forts! The best castles within 90 minutes

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