Aubrey

ok, I know that England and Ireland are FULL of old castles. Which are the best? (especially the one with the Blarney stone!)

Uncle Sam

Warwick Castle is a winner and is the home of the Earl of Warwick the "Kingmaker" of English history.<BR><BR>My favorite of all is the Edinburgh Castle in Edinburgh, Scotland.<BR><BR>It is what a castle ought to be!<BR><BR>US

Aubrey

They sound wonderful! Do you happen to know any in Ireland?

Uncle Sam

Sorry, never been to Ireland.<BR><BR>OTOH, the real land of castles is Wales if you can get there.<BR><BR>US

JMM

Wales has so many wonderful castles - its hard to pick one - Beaumaris,Harlech,Conwy,Caernarvon etc

patrickw

I have fond childhood memories of Carisbrooke Castle in the Isle of Wight, with the donkey powering the well. <BR><BR>Bodiam is an atmospheric ruin of a place.

Edmond O`Flaherty

Ireland has lots of castles and a feature of the countryside as you drive around is the remains of numerous castles.Ones open to the public include Carrick on Suir,Kilkenny and Dublin (not much of the original left).Many castles have been converted to hotels such as Dromoland and Markree.

David White

Aubrey,<BR><BR>Here are a couple of commercial sites on the web that may help you:<BR><BR>http://www.castlesontheweb.com/search/Castle_Tours/England/more2.html<BR><BR>http://www.castles.org/castles/Europe/Western_Europe/United_Kingdom/England/<BR><BR>Also check out the National Trust and English Heritage websites for castles in the UK:<BR><BR>http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/<BR><BR>http://www.english-heritage.org.uk<BR><BR>Enjoy!<BR><BR>Dave White<BR>http://www.KidsToLondon.com

Dominic

Dover Castle is quite spectacular. I think I'm right in saying that it has the longest history of continuous military occupation of any building in the British Isles, right from Norman through Mediaeval times, Napoleonic and into the modern era. there are great displays and exhibitions, not least the tunnels built under the castle which were used throughout WW2 as a government "bunker".<BR>There's also a Roman lighthouse and an ancient church (St Mary's?). Because it has been in use for so long it was never allowed to fall into disrepair and so has no ruins but is in extremely good condition.<BR><BR>Romantic ruins abound in Northumberland: Warkworth and Dunstanbrugh are both exceptional castles and Bamburgh, though heavily reconstituted, has an impressive bulk and location.<BR><BR>Leeds (nr Maidstone in kent, not Yorkshire!) is a remarkably photogenic spot built on two islands in the centre of a lake linked by a bridge. Scotney castle near by has beautiful gardens.<BR><BR>The Welsh castles of Conway, Harlech and Beaumaris are however the apogee of Military architecture in the British Isles with their concentric walls and strategically positioned towers.<BR><BR>And lastly one of my personal favourites is Kenilworth.. a romantic ruin in pink sandstone.<BR><BR>I guess the thing is, whoever you ask you'll get a different response and we all have our favourites. <BR><BR>Wherever you choose to visit have a great time and enjoy yourself!<BR>Dominic<BR><BR>

Bill I

In addition to the ones already mentioned, Windsor castle is worth while, & my favorite (after Edinburgh - I haven't seen Sterling yet) is Caerphilly in Wales, it is very large & picturesque, with places to explore. Chepstow, also in Wales is very much worth a visit. If you are in that area, Cardiff Castle might be worth a look, especially for the keep, but much of the castle itself was rebuilt to the style of the owner at the time during the late 1700's early 1800's. Dover & Warwick castles have also impressed me. Leeds castle might be worth a visit, but after seeing it, I would put it near the bottom of my list.

Colin Owen

If it's the best castles you're after, you simply MUST come to Wales. <BR><BR>Wales is the country of Dungeons and Dragons, of Myths and Legends.<BR><BR>The link below highlights all of castle in North Wales.<BR><BR>http://www.felinuchaf.freeserve.co.uk/att03h.htm<BR><BR>

sabs

are there any castles converted into hotels in scotland that anyone would recommend?

Colin

I can thoroughly recommend Lumley Castle in County Durham. Technically not in Scotland but a special hotel.<BR><BR>Try www.lumleycastle.com

msa

In Scotland the Kildrummy Castle Hotel is wonderful! It sits right next to the ruins of the old castle. We stayed at the hotel last year in Feb. for a few nights and it was just amazing!

Ruth

And, to get you in the mood, read "I capture the castle" by Dodie Smith - what it's like to live in a castle when you can't afford to mend the roof. It's a lovely romantic story as well.

ginny

For sabs: Check out Dalhousie Castle in Bonnyrigg, just outside Edinburgh<BR> http://www.dalhousiecastle.co.uk/<BR><BR>For Aubrey: Bunratty Castle in Ireland was a blast!!! Attended a medieval banquet there & the Folk Park!!! <BR>Also, in England, I agree with above poster on Warwick Castle & that some of the best are in Wales...Conwy, Harlech, Caernarfon, Beaumaris, Chirk...to name a few!!!!

nmm

Don't miss Blarney Castle and Rock of Cashel is really impressive = )

Deliliah

I just went there with my aunt and uncle and the best was the Castle de Rivers.

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Pat

Dunluce castle on the Wild Atlantic Coat in County Antrim Northern Ireland: clings precariously to the rim of the cliff. Indeed part of the castle was sucked into the dark waves during a storm about 200 hundred years ago with great loss of life. Extrodinary coastline well worth a visit. Non of the fake pop history of Warwick or the other "Disney Type" castles in the UK.