12 Best Castle Hotels in England (Including Our Stay)

Castle hotels in England – Quick picks

Thornbury Castle – South Gloucestershire (the one we stayed in)

We spent a night at Thornbury Castle in June 2026, so this is the one entry we can tell you about first-hand. Read our full Thornbury Castle review for the complete rundown.

Thornbury Castle is the only Tudor castle in England open as a hotel, and it has the royal history to match. It was built in the early 1500s by Edward Stafford, the 3rd Duke of Buckingham, who was later found guilty of treason and beheaded on Tower Hill in London. Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn stayed here in 1535.

Today it is a Grade I listed hotel and part of the Relais & Chateaux group. The bedchambers, as Thornbury calls them, are full of period character, with four-poster beds, stone-mullion windows and oak beams alongside the modern comforts you would expect. We were surprised by how large our room was, and by thoughtful touches like the bottle of sloe gin waiting for us.

The restaurant holds 3 AA Rosettes, the grounds run to 15 acres, and there is plenty to fill a longer stay, from falconry and archery to a historian-led tour of the castle. The staff were the part that stayed with us; attentive without being formal, and happy to share the history of the building.

For the full picture, including the rooms, the food, the activities and our honest verdict, read our complete Thornbury Castle review.

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Studley Castle – Warwickshire

An eye-catching gem in Warwickshire, on the edge of the Cotswolds, the 19^th-century Studley Castle is an impressive example of Gothic Revival architecture. Run by Warner Hotels, it is an adults-only retreat, so worth knowing if you are travelling as a family. Walking and cycling routes wind through the grounds and rural surroundings, and guests can enjoy activities like archery and rifle shooting.

The Stables Spa offers plenty of relaxation, with a steam room, sauna, swimming pool, and variety of treatments.

There is a choice of places to eat and drink across the castle, along with live nightly entertainment and an in-house cinema, so there is always something to do once the sun goes down.

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Amberley Castle – West Sussex

Set in the picturesque village of Amberley in West Sussex, the atmospheric Amberley Castle was originally built as a 12^th-century manor house. It was later fortified in the 1370s and was used by the Bishops of Chichester.

Now a Grade I listed building run by Andrew Brownsword Hotels as part of Relais & Chateaux, the splendid castle houses a luxury hotel. With just 19 beautifully appointed bedrooms, guests can enjoy an intimate stay. Rooms combine period features and antiques with modern conveniences.

Step into the stunning Queen’s Room or Great Room to enjoy fine dining at its best, enjoy active leisure at the tennis court, 18-hole putting green or croquet lawn, and soak up the views with a stroll through the lovely gardens.

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Bovey Castle – Dartmoor

Located in Devon and on the fringes of Dartmoor National Park, Bovey Castle is a relatively new castle, having been built in the early 1900s. Do not let the lack of history put you off, though; it was named Best Large Hotel in England at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2026, and offers a luxurious stay with plenty to do.

The main building is a fine example of Jacobean architecture, filled with exquisite carvings. Rooms are individually decorated and furnished, and there are further self-catering lodges set in the scenic grounds.

The award-winning hotel has gardens that overlook the Bovey River and a lake, and there is also an 18-hole golf course for guests to enjoy. Savour a meal in the high-class Great Western Grill or the relaxed Smith’s Brasserie, and pamper yourself in the Elan Spa.

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Tregenna Castle – St Ives, Cornwall

Built in the 18^th century, the marvellous Tregenna Castle is a granite castle-style mansion located in St Ives, now run as the Tregenna Castle Resort. The hilltop position provides beautiful views of the rugged Cornish coastline.

A great place for families, friends and couples, the resort offers a choice of elegant guest rooms, family-friendly apartments and self-catering homes, all with modern amenities.

Set within 72 acres of grounds close to the sea, the resort has plenty to keep you busy, from indoor and outdoor swimming pools and tennis courts to a 9-hole par 3 golf course, along with two on-site restaurants making the most of local produce.

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Hever Castle – Kent

Within easy reach of London, the majestic Hever Castle is located in Kent. Dating back to the 13^th century, it is one of the best castle hotels for history lovers; it has the claim to fame of having been the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, one of Henry VIII’s ill-fated wives.

Later, it was owned by another of the king’s wives, Anne of Cleves. The regal associations are strong.

Visitors can admire antique furnishings, Tudor paintings and one of the finest collections of Tudor portraits outside the National Portrait Gallery. The expansive grounds include a maze, an Italianate garden, a children’s adventure playground and a lake.

You will feel like royalty when you stay in the luxury bed and breakfast, housed in the Astor Wing and Anne Boleyn Wing. The Edwardian wings were built in a handsome Tudor style and are filled with striking features, and there is now an on-site restaurant, Eden, and a bar for guests too. Tickets to the castle and gardens are included with every stay.

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Peckforton Castle – Cheshire

If you want a stay that genuinely looks and feels like a fortress, Peckforton Castle in the Cheshire countryside is hard to beat. Unlike many castle hotels that are really grand country houses, Peckforton is a true castle complete with towers, turrets, battlements and a drawbridge.

It was built in 1851 by the architect Anthony Salvin for MP John Tollemache, designed to recreate a medieval stronghold while adding Victorian comfort and grandeur. Today it offers 48 individually designed bedrooms and suites, from cosy doubles to grand tower suites with four-poster beds.

Set within a wooded estate around 20 minutes from Chester, the castle has an award-winning restaurant, falconry and other activities on site, and woodland walks with far-reaching views across Cheshire. It is a favourite for weddings, so do check dates carefully when booking.

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Augill Castle – Nr Kirkby Stephen

Located in Cumbria’s village of Brough, Augill Castle enjoys a scenic location between the Yorkshire Dales and the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It has a good story too, having been built in the 1840s by a wealthy man who wanted to make his younger brother jealous.

The Victorian-style folly, complete with turrets, towers and ornate windows, was used as a weekend retreat before eventually falling into disrepair. Since restored to its full splendour, the castle is now a family-run luxury hotel with a wonderfully relaxed, home-from-home feel.

Inside, you can enjoy the finer things in life, from large fireplaces and handsome oak panelling to quality textiles and furnishings, along with a restaurant, cosy public rooms and lovely grounds. Little Augill Cooks, a children’s cookery school, runs during the school holidays, which is a lovely touch for families.

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Lumley Castle – Chester-le-Street, County Durham

Every child’s picture-book idea of a castle, Lumley Castle has dominated the County Durham landscape for more than 600 years. Built in the late 1380s by Sir Ralph Lumley, this Grade I listed castle sits in parkland overlooking the River Wear and Durham County Cricket Ground, midway between Durham and Newcastle.

Inside you will find thick walls, spiral staircases and a real sense of atmosphere. The 72 bedrooms are individually styled, and the grandest, like the King James Suite, come with four-poster beds and feature baths. King James VI of Scotland stayed here in 1603 on his way south to be crowned king of England.

Lumley leans happily into its history. Alongside the award-winning Knights Restaurant and Library Bar, it is known for its Elizabethan banquets and murder mystery evenings, and it is the first historic site in the UK to have its own escape room. It is a fun, characterful choice, especially for a special occasion.

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Cave Castle – South Cave, East Yorkshire

The statuesque Cave Castle sits in verdant woodland in East Yorkshire. The turreted, castle-style manor house was largely built in 1875 and sits in a 150-acre estate, with an 18-hole golf course, restaurants, a health club and a spa.

One of the best castle hotels for relaxation, you can spend long days exploring the Yorkshire Wolds before unwinding in the spa. From hair and beauty treatments, massages and facials to the steam room, jacuzzi and heated pool, there are plenty of opportunities for some downtime.

The 71 guest rooms combine traditional charm with contemporary comforts, all with free Wi-Fi, a TV and complimentary toiletries. Do note that the castle hosts live events and weddings most weekends, so mention it when you book if you are a light sleeper.

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Walworth Castle – nr Darlington, County Durham

The splendid Walworth Castle can be found near Darlington in Durham. The Grade I listed building was largely completed around 1600 on the site of an earlier 12^th-century manor, and today trades as part of the Best Western Signature Collection.

It has had many uses over the years, including as a Second World War POW camp and a girls’ boarding school, and has even hosted royalty; King James VI of Scotland stayed here in 1603.

Transformed into a hotel in the early 1980s, it has around 32 rooms throughout the castle itself and in an annexe, set in 18 acres of lawns and woodland. Some of the castle rooms have original features and, if you are looking for a truly memorable stay, you can even book the King James Suite.

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Langley Castle – Hexham, Northumberland

The award-winning Langley Castle Hotel is a genuine 14^th-century medieval castle in a woodland estate in Northumberland. Built in 1350, it came under attack by King Henry IV’s troops in 1405, subsequently lying as a ruin until its restoration in the late 1800s. Used as barracks during the Second World War and later as a school, it has certainly seen plenty of action.

Escape to the past and soak up the tranquillity inside the seven-foot-thick stone walls. Each gorgeous room evokes an air of nostalgia, with four-poster beds and other period touches.

Want to up the luxury? Check into one of the nine feature rooms in the castle, where you will find large fireplaces, chandeliers and window seats set into the thick walls. There is more accommodation just outside at Castle View. Dine in the 2 AA Rosette Josephine’s Restaurant, and take a tour of the battlements during your stay.

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Swinton Park Castle – Masham, North Yorkshire

Located on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales near Masham, Swinton Park is a Grade II* listed castle and the ancestral home of the Cunliffe-Lister family, the Earls of Swinton. It is set in 200 acres of parkland, lakes and gardens at the heart of a 20,000-acre estate.

There are 42 individually designed rooms and suites, some with courtly names like Barons, Earls and Dukes, all beautifully furnished to a high standard. Groups can also book a self-catering cottage on the estate.

With 4 AA Red Stars and 3 Rosettes, this is one of the highest-rated hotels in Yorkshire. Take afternoon tea in the drawing room, dine at Samuel’s, unwind in the spa, and make the most of the estate’s activities, from a bird of prey centre and falconry to a renowned cookery school.

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