Now that the royal wedding has passed and the royal honeymoon is just beginning, castle hotels are trendier than ever. Here are 10 gems from Visit England:
Built in 1350, during the reign of Edward III, the castle has retained its architectural integrity and is regarded as one of the few medieval fortified Castle Hotels in England. Set in its own ten-acre woodland estate, the castle's 7-foot thick walls ensure a peaceful and tranquil space, making it perfect for private events. The guest rooms are individual and unique all with private facilities, many with four-poster beds and feature bathrooms. The hotel offers an exclusive centre from which to explore Hadrian's Wall, the Northumberland countryside and history.
Since its erection in 1841, Augill Castle has seen its fair share of colorful incumbents. Though it was built in 1837 for "a gentleman of considerable means and leisure" to entertain his weekend guests, Wendy and Simon Bennett now run the castle in a modern and informal style with relaxed service. With accommodation in eleven very different bedrooms, five grand reception rooms, and fifteen acres of gardens and grounds, it is a castle for everyone and a castle for all seasons. This quirky castle in Cumbria's aptly named Eden Valley is perfect for intimate events and unique business meetings.
Set on a hillside above the rolling Cheshire Plain, Britain's only intact medieval-style castle invites guests to conduct their special occasions within its magical, fortified walls. Guests will experience bygone times in traditional authentic bedrooms at Peckforton Castle, the former stately home of Lord Tollemache and with unique country surroundings, featuring protected woodland and a variety of wildlife.
Standing proud for more than 600 years, the magnificent spectacle of Lumley Castle dominates the County Durham landscape. Surrounded by beautiful parklands overlooking the River Wear and Durham County Cricket Ground, Lumley Castle is a magnificent monument to a bygone age of chivalry and honour. Guests are invited to experience Lumley Castle Hotel, a unique and inspirational venue; perfect for conferences, celebrations, luxury dining, unique events and leisure breaks.
Walworth Castle Hotel just outside Darlington in County Durham was built in 1189. Recently refurbished to an extremely high standard by owners Rachel and Chris Swain, Walworth Castle Hotel is the ideal venue to sample England's living history.
Guests that wait up until midnight will be treated to the spectacle of the awesome two-ton oak Portcullis being silently lowered for the night. Hidden away for 900 years near the picturesque village of Amberley in the South Downs, Amberley Castle is a magnificent historical treasure that offers a truly unique experience. Through the Portcullis and 60 ft curtain walls you will find beautiful landscaped gardens, fine examples of medieval architecture and an unrivaled atmosphere of peace and tranquillity. Amberley Castle offers 19 luxurious hotel bedrooms and suites, many with four-poster beds and all featuring Jacuzzi bathrooms. The hotel's facilities include two restaurants, lounge areas, tennis court, croquet lawn, gardens and lakes, an 18-hole professional putting course and a stunning thatched-roof tree house complete with rope bridge. The castle is still completely enclosed by a high curtain wall, which is flanked by a magnificent twin-tower gatehouse to the south and a kitchen block and a garderode tower with gun loops to the north. Square internal towers stood at the corners, with a small water-gate in the west wall and a Norman postern in the east wall.
Star Castle was built in 1593 during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I for the defense of the Isles of Scilly. It stands on the fortified Garrison Hill to the west of Hugh Town, St Mary’s, and commands magnificent views of the sea and isles in every direction. The castle has been the scene of many historic occasions: the dining room was the original officer’s messroom and belongs ‘to the age of Drake and the sea-dogs.
Kings and queens have stayed here. Courtiers have flirted with ladies-in-waiting in the ancient yew-hedged gardens. Serving girls have chattered in the stone-flagged courtyard. Today, Thornbury Castle still resonates with history and is the only Tudor castle in England to be open as a hotel…and it’s only 15 minutes from the M5 motorway. However, step behind the heavy oak doors and you'll find a magnificent hotel with roaring fires, delicious modern cuisine and sumptuous bedchambers. There has been a vineyard within the castle walls for over 500 years, from which Thornbury Castle wine is still produced. Guests can enjoy a regal night's sleep in the Duke's Bedchamber where King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn slept, or choose the Gloucester Bedchamber and wake up to a view of the oldest Tudor gardens in England.
Sitting proudly in Tintagel, the birthplace of King Arthur, the stunning Castle Hotel offers rooms with a priceless view over the Cornish coastline complete with a private beach and crystal clear sea and sand! Many a famous person has stayed here over the years, including Ava Gardner, Donald Pleasance, J.B. Priestley, Sir Laurence Olivier, Sir Noel Coward and Sir Winston Churchill.
Swinton Park is set in 200 acres of parkland, lakes and gardens. Guests have access to rivers, reservoirs, moorland, dales and beautiful countryside bordering the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The recently refurbished spa is equipped with a sauna, jacuzzi and a relaxation zone, and the restored Georgian stables have recently been converted into a state of the art cooking school run by celebrity chef Rosemary Shrager. The castle is surrounded by the family estate in which guests have access to rivers, reservoirs, moorland, dales and the beautiful Yorkshire countryside. Lavishly furnished, this is a unique opportunity to enjoy a stately home experience, combining the traditional warmth of a family home with all the modern creature comforts of a contemporary hotel. Each of the 30 spacious bedrooms is individually designed, with a choice of views across the gardens, lake, parkland or gatehouse.