KEEPERS OF THE CASTLES
More than 1,000 castles dot the British Isles, making it easy to put together an itinerary if you want to go castle-hopping.
Some of the fortresses are in ruins, others are occupied, some are hotels or can be rented for weddings or other events.
Many of the structures originally served as military bastions and as private homes. Some are large, well-known complexes that are easily visited, such as the Tower of London (www.hrp.org .uk/tower-of-london), a top attraction in the British capital that
houses the Crown Jewels, and
Scotland’s imposing Edinburgh Castle (www.edinburghcastle.gov .uk).
Windsor Castle (lat.ms/wind sorcastle), where British kings and queens have lived for more than 1,000 years, is about 22 miles from London and is open for tours.
Other castles are off the beaten path but pay great dividends to those who want to explore the countryside. Each offers a fascinating window into the past.
There’s little agreement as to the top castles because experts
have their favorites. But here are some suggestions:
Arundel Castle: This West Sussex castle, founded at the end of the 11th century, overlooks the River Arun and has been the family home of the dukes of Norfolk and their ancestors for nearly 1,000 years. About 64 miles south of London. www.arundelcastle.org
Dover Castle: This giant fortification, one of the largest castles in England, was a secret command post in World War II and starred in the 1990 film adaptation of “Hamlet,” starring Mel Gibson. Eightytwo
miles southeast of London. lat.ms/dovercastle
Leeds Castle: Check out the maze and gardens at this castle, which once housed six medieval queens and Henry VIII. Forty-two miles southeast of London. www.leeds-castle.com Warwick Castle: Originally built by William the Conqueror in 1068, Warwick is near Shakespeare’s birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon. about 100 miles northwest of London. www.warwick -castle.com