The Best Castles in England to Visit with Kids

I think that if I didn’t live in England, I’d assume that outside of the cities, it was just a very green and pleasant land, with a picturesque fairytale castle on every hill. I do live here, though, and there isn’t. But don’t be dismayed. If you know where to look, and I do, you can find some real-life historic castles from whose slit windows arrows have been shot and whose drawbridges have been raised against fiend and foe.

Here are our suggestions for the best castles in England to visit with kids. These moats are worth crossing!

The Best Castles in England to Visit with Kids

Leeds Castle

First of all, don’t get confused — Leeds is a major city in the north of England, but Leeds Castle is nowhere near it. It’s way down south, about an hour’s drive from London in Maidstone, Kent.

Built on two adjacent islands on the River Len, Leeds Castle really is a quintessential picture-book castle with a story that goes back to the Dark Ages. It was mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086 and has been a royal residence for centuries. It was home to Edward I and Henry VIII, as well as a prison for Elizabeth I. The last owner was an Anglo-American heiress, Lady Baillie, who moved in in the 1920s and added her own stamp of Art Deco glamour. You could easily spend the whole day touring the castle and immersing yourself in its past and it should keep even the littlest ones absorbed for an hour.

Then let them loose in the beautiful grounds. Hidden amongst the manicured gardens are two fantastic adventure playgrounds, including one for under-6s; a maze; an underground grotto; and a birds of prey center, where you can take part in falconry.

If you want to feel like a king or queen for more than a day, you can even stay at the castle; it has various accommodation options.

Windsor Castle

Situated in Windsor, about an hour outside of London in the county of Berkshire, Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the whole wide world, and it’s been in the same family for generations. Well, that family is the British Royal Family, so that last bit is maybe not so impressive. King Charles is the 26th great-grandson of the man who built it in the 11th century, William the Conqueror. There have been a few extensions and renovations since then. You can rest assured that the royal quarters will now have WiFi and internet.

Look to see if the Royal Standard flag is flying when you arrive; this indicates that the King is at home and he very occasionally does a royal walkabout.

You can tour the state and ceremonial rooms and one of the highlights for children is seeing Queen Mary’s dolls’ house. It took 1,500 craftsmen three years to build and has electric lighting, hot and cold running water and flushing toilets. There are often specific family activities on too; check out the events page for more information.

Hampton Court Palace

Another royal residence, although no longer occupied, Hampton Court Palace on the banks of the River Thames is an easy day trip from London. It takes about an hour on public transport to get there from Oxford Circus.  Although called a palace, it is still very much a castle, complete with turrets and a medieval history. Its history is complicated, however, so it’s advisable to brush up on it first. Teens and adults could start with reading Wolf Hall or watching the TV series, and smaller kids should definitely have watched Horrible Histories Tudors before donning the headphones for the very detailed audio tour that leads you across the whole estate. If this gets to be too much, there are lots of guides on hand to answer questions and there tend to be family-oriented events scheduled around the school holidays.

When the sun is out, Henry VIII’s favourite abode is fantastic for all ages year-round. You can try to find your way out of the infamous maze, picnic on one of the beautiful lawns, have an adventure in the impressive playground, check out where Henry VIII played tennis and buy vegetables from the kitchen garden. The cafes are rather good too.

Dover Castle

The name won’t throw you off the track this time. Dover Castle is actually perched above the white cliffs of the port of Dover, a bit deeper into Kent than Leeds Castle. Of all the medieval castles, this one is particularly fascinating, because it has been a major player in British history from as far back as 1066 up until World War II. The miraculous evacuation of British soldiers from the opposite French shore of Dunkirk was orchestrated from the network of tunnels that run under the castle.

Because of the dramatic ways the history of the castle is brought back to life (check out the schedule of events), you’re best to wait until your kids are school-age to visit. Travel deep under the castle to visit the underground army hospital used during the world wars, and then explore further the tunnels that have had a strategic military role since Napoleonic times.

Warwick Castle

Warwick Castle is owned by the same people who run Legoland and Madame Tussauds and it has gone a bit ‘Disney,’ billing itself as a resort. But the re-enactments and characters do a good job of bringing its 1,100-odd-year history to life and keep even tots entertained. It’s situated in Warwickshire in the Midlands, bang in the middle of the country, about a 40-minute drive from the City of Birmingham and not far from Shakespeare’s Stratford along the River Avon. This is a beautiful part of England, so if you have the time, combine your visit to the castle with a country house hotel break. You can also stay at the castle itself, which is a treat for kids.

The Princess Tower is a fun interactive storytelling experience, but it only runs seasonally. The towers and ramparts are perfect for the Robin Hoods in the group, who can imagine themselves firing their bows over the battlements. They will also enjoy having a go at archery and slightly older kids may have the stomach for the castle dungeon. It is quite frightening and not advised for under-10s.

Out in the beautiful grounds, you will find the fantastic Peacock Garden, where you might catch a peacock splaying its feathers, and the Horrible Histories Maze.

Corfe Castle

If the remaining walls of Corfe Castle on the Dorset coast could speak, they could tell a few stories. Built just after the Norman Conquest in 1066 by William the Conqueror, it has been the site of battles, civil disorder and family disputes and it was home to kings, knights and a princess. Partially destroyed in the English Civil War, it remains a wonderful ruin to explore.

You can climb to the top of the King’s Tower to admire the panoramic views once reserved only for royalty, watch demonstrations of heritage crafts and enjoy the regular programme of seasonal events that run throughout the year. After you’ve done the castle, which only takes a couple of hours, stop off at Corfe Village with its super cute model village, pubs and sweet shop and then head to the Victorian seaside town of Swanage where, in the summer months, you might be able to catch a traditional Punch and Judy show on the beach.

Relevant Links:

Browse all family-friendly hotels and activities in England on Ciao Bambino

52 tips for traveling in England with kids

8 favorite day trips from London with kids

The best London museums for families

Game on! A sports-loving family’s guide to London

History lessons are fun for kids in York

The best way to experience Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon, England, with your kids

Editor’s note: This post was accurate when published. We advise checking independently for the latest information and updates. Ciao Bambino does not accept responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in, or for any actions taken based on, the information presented.