KEY MEDIEVAL CASTLES AND ABBEYS TO VISIT

1. Fountains Abbey North Yorkshire The wealthiest monastery in England until its dissolution, Fountains Abbey was founded in 1132 by 13 monks from St Mary’s Abbey, York. Its sprawling ruins lie within the beautiful 18th-century landscape of Studley Royal Park. £16.50. Open daily. Ripon, HG4 3DY. 01765 608888, nationaltrust.org.uk

2. Tower of London Overlooking the Thames, this imposing stronghold is Europe’s oldest palace, fortress and prison. Founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, at its heart is the distinctive White Tower keep, so named after the whitewashing it received in the 13th century. £22.70. Open daily. London, EC3N 4AB. hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london

3. Battle Abbey East Sussex Dedicated to St Martin, the abbey stands where Harold of Wessex died at the Battle of Hastings. Founded by William the Conqueror as penance for the bloodshed and memorial to his victory, it symbolises the Norman invasion that changed England forever. £11.80. Open daily. Battle, TN33 0AD. 01424 775705, english-heritage.org.uk

4. Llanthony Prior Monmouthshire Set in the dramatic Ewyas Valley, Llanthony was founded in 1100 by Augustinian monks but rebuilt in the 13th century, the priory flourished to become one of the greatest medieval buildings in Wales. Free. Open daily. Abergavenny, NP7 7NN. 0300 025 6000, cadw.gov.wales/daysout/ llanthonypriory

5. Canterbury Cathedral Kent Described as ‘England in stone’, the cathedral is a stunning mix of Romanesque and Perpendicular Gothic. The seat of the spiritual head of the Church of England for 500 years, it is also the site of Archbishop Thomas Becket’s brutal murder in 1170. £12.50. Open daily. Canterbury, CT1 2EH. 01227 762862, canterbury-cathedral.org

6. St Andrews Castle Fife Battered by war and tides over its 450-year history, the ruins have been a bishop’s palace, fortress and prison. Visitors included James I and James III, while key moments leading to the Scottish Reformation played out in its tunnels and ‘bottle dungeon’. £6. Open daily. St Andrews, KY16 9AR. 01334 477196, historicenvironment.scot

7. Beaumaris Castle Anglesey A technical masterpiece of medieval military architecture, Edward I ordered the largest and final link in his ‘iron ring’ of defensive constructions across North Wales to be built in 1295. With the coffers empty after three years, the castle was never completed. £6. Open daily. Beaumaris, LL58 8AP. 01248 810361, beaumaris.com

8. Dover Castle Kent The military ‘Key to England’, Dover sits atop the White Cliffs, guarding the gateway to the realm. This iconic English fortress was built by Henry II in the 1180s, both to defend the coast and preserve the King’s reputation following Archbishop Becket’s assassination. £20. Open daily. Dover, CT16 1HU. 01304 211067, english-heritage.org.uk

9. Warwick Castle Warwickshire On the banks of the River Avon, this towering stronghold was founded by William I in 1068. From the Hundred Years’ War to the War of the Roses, it played a pivotal role in some of Britain’s most turbulent periods, witnessing sieges and battles. £27. Open daily. Warwick, CV34 6AH. 08712 652000, warwick-castle.com CF