Family of 5 (with 3 teen-age boys) will be spending spring break in London. Last three days we would like to tour some medieval castles outside of London. We'll rent a car and head out into the countryside. Any suggestions on good places for us to see the old British castles, plus lodging suggestions in the area would be appreciated. Also, any ideas for unusual things to see in London.

I think the castles in Wales are the best. To get a taste check out this website: <BR>http://www.castlewales.com <BR>Also, not long ago I saw a travel show about the 10 best roller coasters in the world, and one of them is off in the middle of nowhere in Wales. I'm betting the 3 teenage boys would love that.

I agree with Wales. Check out St. David's and Tinturn Abbey is fabulous. Closer to London, I thought Dover Castle was interesting. The teenage boys might enjoy a "football" match. Outside of London, I thought Highgate cemetary was quite interesting. Also, I enjoyed Avebury and Stonehenge.

I think your boys (and you) would enjoy Warwick Castle. It's not far from London and just 8 or 10 miles from Stratford. If your sons haven't visited Shakespeare's home, this would be a good time to get in both it and a fantastic castle. As both a mother and a teacher, I know actually visiting Stratford made Shakespeare come "alive" for my children. Warwick is fun, fun...you can accomplish both of these sites in one day, and you won't regret it.

There are plenty of small, little visited castles. One I visited years ago was Nunney Castle - somewhere between Bath and Stonehenge, I think. It was not a palace type, but a real fighting castle with just the shell left - interesting

I second the suggestion of Warwick Castle with the Madame Tussaud's wax figures throughout the rooms make the castle come to life. Hampton Court and Windsor Castle are both easy to hit in one day from London via bus.

Warwick,Hampton Court, and Tower of London definitely have the best "entertainment", especially on summer weekends. The more rustic castles are in Wales, (along the northwest coast) , a more modern one in Cardiff, and a picture from a fairy tale, just north of Wales.

PS You can sleep in a castle too. There is a youth hostel at St. Briavels on the border of England and Wales.

I think Windsor Castle is pretty great. <BR>And they have a changing of the guard ceremony. Hampton Court is also wonderful, and kids of all ages love the <BR>garden maze.

My favorite castle is Caerphilly Castle in Wales, near Cardiff. This is the biggest Castle after Windsor Castle. Caerphilly has been on a number of TV documentaries about castles & also about seige weapons. Chepstow Castle, also in Wales, is an excellent example of medieval castle. I really enjoyed Dover also, there is an ancient Roman lighthouse on the grounds there. Warwick castle also has a dungeon & dungeon impliments display which is interesting. Heading south, Portsmouth would be interesting to the boys as well as yourself, there are historical ships that you can tour there -- HMS Victory--the ship the Lord Nelson sailed & died on in the Battle of Trafalgar, also the first iron metal hulled warship is there for tour. Also a large castle in the area. (Edinburgh in Scotland is also another 1 of my very favorite castles.) Have fun.

I just saw the Nova episode about siege engines on PBS last night. You and your boys might really enjoy seeing it before the trip. There are models of those trebuchets at Caerphilly. Try to catch it if you can.