Britain is filled with castles, once-glorious fortresses that were the homes of kings and lords. Since the days of yore in which they served as the center of a local community’s life, many have fallen into ruin, and others have become far too expensive to main. As such, they’ve been given over to charities and trusts that have opened them to the public. A relatively small number of castles, however, remain in the hands of the aristocracy and still serve as the seats or lords and ladies and are open to visitors. Let us know some of your favorite public and private castles in the comments.
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Alnwick Castle
Alnwick Castle was one of many constructed following the Norman Conquest in 1066 with its lord being Ivo de Vesci. The castle remained in the de Vesci family until it was given to the guardianship of Anthony Bek, who sold the castle and lands to the Percy family, who still own the castle today and where Ralph Percy holds the honor of being the 12th Duke of Northumberland. While the Percy family still lives here, parts of the castle are open to visitors, and the castle has been used extensively in films from Prince Valiant to Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
Bamburgh Castle
Bamburgh Castle has been a fortified defensive site since the Celts, and like Alnwick, the current structure was first built by the Normans in the 11th Century. It eventually came into the ownership of the Crown and was the first castle defeated with artillery during the English Civil War. It was given to the Forster family of Northumberland by the Crown in 1600 but was sold to Lord Crew in 1700 to pay off the debts of Sir William Forster. Victorian industrialist William Armstrong later bought the castle and restored it. While not possessing any titles, the Armstrong family still owns and lives in the castle. The family has it opened to the public, and in addition to tours, the castle plays host to weddings, holiday events, and overnight guests.
Belvoir Castle
While Belvoir was once the site of a Norman castle, it was demolished by Thomas Manners, 1st Earl of Rutland, to make way for the second structure, which was completed in 1555. Belvoir Castle has been the seat of the Earls of Rutland and the Manners family ever since though it has been through a couple more revisions before the current castle was finished in 1832 based on the designs of James Wyatt. On an interesting note, while many of the Earls have lived there, they have also been buried there in a mausoleum on the grounds. And like Alnwick, it has been featured in a number of films and television shows as well as being open to the public.
Arundel Castle
Founded by Roger de Montgomery in 1067, this Norman castle eventually passed to the Howard family after the death of the 19th Earl of Arundel, Henry Fitzalan in 1572. As with Alnwick and Belvoir, it remains the seat of the earldom as well as being the seat for the Duke of Norfolk. The castle has been continually restored beginning with the 11th Duke of Norfolk and continuing to this day. It nearly became a property of the National Trust, but the 17th Duke cancelled the plan when he took over the title in 1975. The castle offers several ticket options for visitors that let them experience various parts of Arundel Castle.
Ludlow Castle
Ludlow Castle was one of the first stone castles built in England. It was constructed by William de Lacy following the Norman Conquest and changed hands a few times before it became the property of Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York, and then became the property of the Crown when his son, King Edward IV, took the throne in 1461. It fell to Parliamentarians during the English Civil War but was given back to the Crown following the Restoration, though it was allowed to fall into ruin. Henry Herbert, the Earl of Powis, leased it in 1772 and then his brother-in-law bought it in 1811. It was after this time that it started becoming a tourist attraction, a status it maintains today. While the castle is owned by John Herbert, the 8th Earl of Powis, it is managed by the Powis Estate and sees over 100,000 visitors a year.