15 Best Castle Hotels To Stay In England!

There cannot be anything more romantic than staying in a real English Castle.  Even if romance is not your thing, a stay in a castle is also a great chance to let the imagination run wild and explore ancient history first hand. 

Can I stay in a castle in England? Yes! To get you started on the best castle hotels to stay in England here is 7 Castle Hotels offering indulgence and luxury and 8 Castle Hotels lovely alternatives all offering unique character and different advantages.

Where Can I Stay in a Castle in England?

Whatever your reason for considering a stay in an English Castle Hotel, here are some handpicked options for you:

Castles are arranged into alphabetical order and with the most the luxurious featuring in the first section. 

1. Amberley Castle
2. Bovey Castle
3. Langley Castle
4. Lumley Castle
5. Thornbury Castle
6. Tregenna Castle
7. Hotel Endsleigh
8. Bickleigh Castle
9. The Castle at Edgehill
10. Castle Hotel
11. Cave Castle Hotel
12. Hayton Castle
13. Leeds Castle
14. Ryde Castle Hotel
15. Studley Castle

The 7 Very Best for Atmosphere Luxury and Charm

1# Amberley Castle

Amberley, West Sussex

In the beautiful West Sussex countryside, at the foot of the South Downs Amberley Castle is steeped in over 900 years of history. 

Offering a unique, luxury hotel experience the privately owned castle boasts the highest standards of food and service. 

Amberley Castle has just 19 well-appointed, luxurious rooms, each with a unique design and furnished with antiques in keeping with the castle status.

Over 12 acres of formal gardens featuring rose-covered arches, camellias and magnolias, topiary, Koi ponds and of course the medieval stonework,  there are facilities to sit out on the patio and the Amberley is a haven for those seeking peace and quiet the hotel and grounds offer plenty of opportunities to find a quiet spot.

There is also an 18 hole putting course, tennis court and croquet lawn.

The rooms fall into five categories:

• Classic
• Superior
• Junior deluxe
• Deluxe
• And premier deluxe. 

All offering WiFi, L’Occitane products and a strong feel of history and 21^st Century luxury.

Book Amberley Castle with Booking.com, here.

2# Bovey Castle

Newton Abbot, Devon

Bovey Castle offers 60 bedrooms and 22 self-catering lodges and is set in 275 acres of Dartmoor National Park and beautifully landscaped gardens.

Bovey is a modern castle being built in 1907 and it was first opened as a hotel in 1930 by the Great Western Railway and was called The Manor House Hotel. 

Although modern the fairytale architecture design ensures that Bovey Castle looks and feels much more like a castle than a manor house. 

The golf course is an award-winning 18 hole championship course and there is also a spa.

The individually designed rooms are split into 9 types:  Single, Mews, Classic, Castle, Valley  Junior State, State, Grand State which are located in the original manor house and private mews and Private Estate Lodges within the castle grounds. 

To see the latest prices for Bovey Castle on Booking.com, here.

3# Langley Castle

Northumbria

A 14th Century fortified castle, Langley Castle Hotel is situated in a Northumbrian valley and every day after breakfast they offer tours of the castle including the rooftop battlements.

Langley Castle has 9 letting bedrooms within the castle and a further 18 in Castle View and Castle View Lodge. They promise high standards of quality and comfort for all the rooms.

They offer a range of rooms split into Castle View rooms, Castle Deluxe and Feature Rooms. 

All rooms offer free WiFi, Sky TV including movies and BT Sport, en-suite, air conditioning and tea and coffee making facilities.

The Castle Rooms are within the 7-foot walls of the castle and are all individually styled.  Many of the rooms have four-poster beds and feature stone walls. 

All the rooms are individual and the Castle View rooms and Castle View Lodge rooms are in a recently refurbished conversation, offering a much more modern, but no less individual style. 

Langley Castle is set in 10 acres of grounds.

Book your stay at Langley Castle on Booking.com, here.

4# Lumley Castle

Chester-Le-Street, Durham

Lumley Castle is surrounded by its beautiful parkland and overlooks the River Wear and Durham County Cricket Ground.  

There are 7 room types are offered from Courtyard Classic, Superior and State to Castle Classic, Superior, State and King James Suite. 

I recommend looking at staying in:

• The Courtyard rooms are converted from the original stable block and are described as ideal for those seeking a more contemporary twist and with exposed beams and sloping ceilings, they retain the heritage of their age and original use. 
• The castle rooms still offer a modern clean feel but are appealingly and individually appointed.
• The King James Suite is converted from the chapel and has a beautiful high vaulted ceiling and features a 20ft high four-poster bed, a separate sitting room and a Jacuzzi bath with parkland views and Bvlgari products.

Lumley Castle is a hotel in the No Ordinary Hotel Group. Find the latest prices for Lumley Castle on Booking.com.

5# Thornbury Castle Hotel

Nr Bristol, Gloucestershire

Once owned by Henry VIII, Thornbury Castle is where the King stayed with Anne Bolyn for 10 days on their honeymoon. 

Today, the castle offers us the chance to stay in a real Tudor castle steeped in history and retaining the character of that time, but with the convenience, we expect in the 21^st Century.

With heavy carved oak four-poster beds, tapestries over natural stone walls and medieval shaped doors, most of the bedrooms and suites here leave you in no doubt that you are in a castle.

The rooms have en-suite facilities and are carefully and tastefully installed to sit alongside the ancient origins of their surroundings and like the rooms are all individual.

The alternative being the Classic Bedchamber bedrooms, which have a Victorian antique charm, offering comfort and luxury, with more modern bathrooms, no less comfortable, just a different style.

Also available is a self-contained 2 bedroom Victorian gatehouse in a secluded location, with a private garden and views across to the church.

In the grounds, the activities are designed to conjure up the Tudor atmosphere and the lovely manicured lawns and flower beds give a sense of order to help relax the mind.

A selection of pampering massage treatments are available at the hotel and they are close to the Vicarage Farm Holistic Therapy Centre.

Thornbury Castle is not adults only, but children can only stay who are over 8 years old.

Find the latest availability and price for Thornbury Castle Hotel on their website, here.

6# Tregenna Hotel

St Ives Cornwall

Tregenna Hotel is part of a holiday resort overlooking St Ives in Cornwall.  They offer 98 rooms in the hotel of different styles to suit differing needs; for example:

• you can book a sea view room
• a romantic west wing room
• or a family room. 

Also offered are comfortable apartments with self-catering facilities for those who want to flex across the luxury of the hotel and convenience of self-catering.

As well as being in a beautiful, romantic setting of 72 acres of the Cornish coast the hotel offers a good range of resort-style facilities, including an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, a golf course, gym, spa and tennis courts. 

Beauty treatments are also offered.

Book your stay at the Tregenna Hotel on Booking.com, here.

7# Hotel Endsleigh

Tavistock, Devon

Not quite a castle, but ever so special and therefore deserves a place here is Hotel Endsleigh a Grade I Listed historic house set in 100 acres of beautiful, unique grounds. 

Having just 19 rooms the Hotel is owned by Olga Polizzi who loves it for its  ‘extraordinary architecture’ Arriving at Hotel Endsleigh it has such a secluded feel that it is like leaving your cares behind and stepping into another world. 

The gardens feature a stunning rose arch walkway, a grotto lined with thousands of shells, wonderful woodland walks, and walks along the Tamar River, you can step over a stream stepping stones and admire the massive Gunnera plants.

Stepping in through the front door into the wood-panelled reception area is just like stepping into an ancient castle.  The charm of Endsleigh soon calms you and nothing is too much trouble for the staff. 

The rooms are all individual from sumptuously painted wallpaper doubles to comfortable family suites, many rooms have garden views.  There is also a pretty thatched gatekeeper’s lodge with a private garden and wood-burning stove for self-contained stays. 

Hotel Inspector Alex Polizzi was instrumental to the opening of Endsleigh which boasts no muzak, but only the sound of birdsong and bats squeaking.  A very special place.

Find the latest availability and price for Hotel Endsleigh on Booking.com, here.

Stay in a Castle

All the following 8 offer at least B&B and some offer much more, they may not be quite as luxurious as the others and at least one of them is only in this list as it is corporate and therefore lacks some of the romance. 

8# Bickleigh Castle

Tiverton, Devon

Bickleigh Castle is a rambling Grade 1 listed building just 20 minutes from the M5 to the north of Exeter. 

The Castle has a long and glamorous past and parts of it are very old; part of the castle dates back to the year 600 and the traditional Motte & Bailey part of the castle was built in 1018 and Bickleigh Castle was listed in the Doomsday Book in 1086. 

Today Bickleigh Castle offers Bed & Breakfast in the castle and traditional thatched cottages overlooking the beautiful courtyard and has accommodation for up to 40 guests. 

Guests are invited to a complimentary tour of the castle and a talk about its history. There is Wifi in the guest’s sitting room and the rooms offered are a combination of doubles, singles and twin rooms, not all en-suite, but they are generally spacious, individual and have tea and coffee making facilities and televisions. 

There are also 4 large self-contained cottages.

The gardens are beautiful, romantic and well kept and the mix of architectural styles of the buildings ensures that this beautiful place is truly unique and special.

To secure your stay and see the latest prices for Bickleigh Castle on Booking.com.

9# The Castle at Edgehill

Near Banbury, Oxfordshire

The Castle is a pub and B&B that is situated on the summit of Edgehill overlooking the battlefield of the famous Battle of Edgehill which took place in 1642, the Castle was built 100 years later. 

It is actually a Tower that was intended to replicate Guy’s Tower at Warwick Castle.  Today, it looks like a bijou castle and is a stunning and romantic setting that has been a pub since 1822. 

The Castle underwent a major refurbishment in 2014 retaining original features like stone fireplaces and exposed stonework, whilst creating a crisp modern feel.

It is a lovely place to stay offering just 4 en-suite rooms, 2 of which are in the main tower and offer fantastic views of the countryside. 

One of the other rooms can be transformed into a family room and there is a level ground floor room with a wet room en-suite. 

They all have Wifi, stocked mini-fridge, espresso coffee machine, digital television and en-suite.  The rooms are modern and crisp within the historic setting.

The pub oozes castle-like charm and with prices starting at just £65.00 per night this is a castle stay to suit any budget. To see the latest prices for your stay on Booking.com.

10# Castle Hotel

Taunton, Somerset

The Castle in Taunton is a family-run hotel that was built as a Norman fortress and has a violent and turbulent past. 

However, the hotel staff are always quick to point out that today it is a peaceful location but preserves the atmosphere of its 1000 year past.

The Castle has 44 individually decorated bedrooms and they vary from single, double and twin, superior, garden and Bow Suite all offering WiFi, TV with Freeview, workspace, Hairdryer Iron and ironing board.

Whilst the castle looks like a castle from the outside the rooms do not have the castle wow factor of some of the other hotels and this is a city hotel, there is on-site parking, but you will have to pay. 

If you want to stay in a real castle with the convenience of a city centre, then look no further.

11# Cave Castle Hotel

Brough, East Riding of Yorkshire

The Cave Castle Hotel is a refurbished Victorian manor house that offers 71 rooms with a mix of traditional and contemporary design. 

Built-in 1875 a fortification on the site is mentioned in the Doomsday book.  As you approach via the tree-lined driveway, the tall stone turrets leave you in no doubt that you are at the right place. 

The large castle has a fairytale appearance that instantly impresses the approaching visitor.

Most of the bedrooms are contemporary and they do have some four-poster bedrooms. Facilities include a health club and spa with a swimming pool.

The romantic grounds offer great photo opportunities for those who have weddings at the hotel.

Find out more about hotels and rooms on their website.

12# Hayton Castle

Hayton, Cumbria

Mary Queen of Scots has slept in this castle, maybe in the room that you will sleep in. 

Hayton Castle is a listed home that offers bed and breakfast.  Set in 10 acres of grounds including an orchard, flower garden, woodland and meadow the owners have rescued chickens, ducks, pigs, a cat and a dog. 

Situated just a short drive from the Lake District and the Coastal Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), the castle is ideal for exploring the area.

Guests are offered a warm farmhouse home style of stay and there is a lounge, dining room, bathroom and kitchen available to guests. 

The arty and bohemian style is designed for those wanting a quiet stay, maybe for getting away from it all, cycling or walking or maybe guests are history, nature or art lovers. 

Hayton Castle is on the Solway cycle route and there is safe storage for bicycles. 

Guests have a private, historic double room and the castle is an ideal place to unwind in the countryside.

Breakfast is included and there is Wifi, television, free use of a washing machine and space to work with a laptop.

Find out more about staying at Hayton Castle on JJ Media Groups website.

13# Leeds Castle

Maidstone, Kent

Probably one of the most famous castles in the world, Leeds Castle now offer B&B accommodation to guests in the Stable Courtyard and Maiden’s Tower to complement the holiday cottages in the grounds and Knights Glamping. 

Leeds Castle should need no introduction but briefly, it was built as a Norman stronghold and was used by Henry VIII to court Catherine of Aragon, More recently it has been used as a country house and retreat. 

A Motte and Bailey castle is highly picturesque and one of the most visited historic buildings in Britain.

There are 5 double rooms in the 16^th Century Maiden’s Tower and the rest, a mixture of doubles and twins are in the Stable Courtyard which was converted in the 1930’s. 

The beautifully decorated romantic Maiden’s Tower rooms have views of the castle, moat and grounds and offer contemporary refinements. 

The Stable Courtyard rooms are refurbished to the highest standard and all rooms have en-suite bathrooms and offer complimentary Molton Brown toiletries. 

Breakfast is included and dinner can be booked in the 17^th Century Castle View restaurant. 

Guests can enjoy the lovely gardens, even after the public have all gone home.

14# Ryde Castle Hotel

Isle of Wight

Part of the Greene King chain of hotels and pubs, Ryde Castle is a former Victorian manor house was built as a private residence, it served as a hospital in the First World War and became a hotel in the 1930’s.

Situated right on Ryde seafront overlooking the marina the hotel is a historic landmark in the town that looks every bit the castle with its battlements and tower. 

Following a fire in 2012 when a stray firework caused damage to part of the hotel the bedrooms are newly refurbished, are modern and clean and all have WiFi, en-suite, tea and coffee making facilities and flat-screen televisions. 

Some of the rooms have far-reaching sea views.

Being part of the Greene King chain the food is their standard fodder, so you know what to expect.  Offers a good budget option to stay in a castle on the Isle of Wight. Find more about prices on their website, here.

15# Studley Castle Hotel

Warwickshire

Completed in 1836 Studley Castle is a Warner Leisure Group Hotel and is set in 28 acres of Warwickshire countryside not far from Stratford Upon Avon the birthplace of William Shakespeare.

Built by High Sheriff Sir Francis Lyttleton who asked a theatre architect to design the castle in a gothic revival style, the castle is grade II listed.

Warner has brought the hotel up to the 21^st Century whilst restoring historical features and say they have worked with the personality of the building which includes gargoyles, high ceilings and dark wood panelling. 

Because of this, the rooms are all different shapes and sizes and the most indulgent and luxurious rooms are in the main castle building.  Other rooms offer unique charms in the converted stables, lodge or centrally located Studely rooms.

The hotel has a spa, fitness suite, steam room, sauna, swimming pool and a cinema.

Castle’s make a great setting for a wedding and most of these, quite understandably do specialise in weddings. 

They also make a great place to stay for a quiet romantic weekend or for historians. 

If you are seeking peace and quiet, it is worth checking that there is not a large wedding or other party booked in when you want to stay. 

The list is designed as an opportunity to see if the castle may offer what you want and then explore further to decide if it does or still does offer the level of luxury and experience that you require for your stay in a castle. 

Whatever your reason, hopefully, you will choose one of these soon as they are all unique and special places.

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