On our drive from Land's End to John O'Groats last year, one of our final stops was Castle of Mey in Caithness (in fact it's what we did after going to John O'Groats). Castle of Mey was the Queen Mother's private Scottish castle, which she bought after the death of her husband King George VI. The castle is not a grand home, it’s compact but classy and it’s a very intimate … [Read more...] about 10 Interesting Facts and Figures About the Castle of Mey – The Queen Mother’s Scottish Castle
Castles
The Fiver – Five British Castles Still in Private Ownership
Britain is filled with castles, once-glorious fortresses that were the homes of kings and lords. Since the days of yore in which they served as the center of a local community’s life, many have fallen into ruin, and others have become far too expensive to main. As such, they’ve been given over to charities and trusts that have opened them to the public. A relatively small … [Read more...] about The Fiver – Five British Castles Still in Private Ownership
Royal Oak: Ten of the Spookiest National Trust Properties to Visit This October
This post was sponsored by the Royal Oak Foundation, the American affiliate of the National Trust. Anglotopia Readers can get a discount on joining – details at the bottom of the post! In dark moors and high cliffs, many a spooky old home and ancient castle sits. Even those that don’t appear frightening can sometimes be haunted by the spirits of those who once lived there, … [Read more...] about Royal Oak: Ten of the Spookiest National Trust Properties to Visit This October
Royal Oak Foundation: Ten National Trust Castles in England & Wales You Should Visit
This post was sponsored by the Royal Oak Foundation, the American affiliate of the National Trust. Anglotopia Readers can get a discount on joining – details at the bottom of the post! Some of the oldest structures in the United Kingdom, castles were once fortresses from which kings and lords ruled over and defended their people. For many years, those not directly owned by … [Read more...] about Royal Oak Foundation: Ten National Trust Castles in England & Wales You Should Visit
Through the Lens: Brougham Castle in the Lake District
I generally have one rule when traveling in Britain, if there is a ruin near me, I will stop at the ruin. I love ruins. And Britain is full of them. Brougham Castle (pronounced 'Broom') is one of the finest Castle ruins I've ever been to. Situated in the heart of Cumbria, next to a river, Brougham Castle is a quintessential Medieval castle ruin. The site is currently owned and … [Read more...] about Through the Lens: Brougham Castle in the Lake District
Exploring Cumbria: A Visit to Muncaster Castle
Muncaster Castle was my third destination on my final day exploring the Lake District. I’ve previously written about my visit to the Ravenglass & Eskdale railway which you can read here. I will be writing about going through the Hardknott Pass in an upcoming issue of the Anglotopia Magazine. By the time I arrived at Muncaster Castle, I was, to say the least exhausted. But … [Read more...] about Exploring Cumbria: A Visit to Muncaster Castle
Laura’s Britain: Exploring History at Colchester Castle in Essex
I was brought up near to Colchester so I did visit the Castle when I was a child. I remember it as a cold shell of a Norman castle which seemed much more fun from the outside that it was when you went inside. Thankfully it's a true visitor attraction now explaining the incredible history of this Essex town. I had a great excuse to stop in Colchester recently as I spent a few … [Read more...] about Laura’s Britain: Exploring History at Colchester Castle in Essex
Anglophile Life: A Lament for Ackergill Castle, Fanny’s Your Aunt, Best Place to Live, The Abuse of the Duchesses, What I read and Watched
In this week's column, I write about the sad news that Ackergill Tower is now closed to paying guests, an amusing transatlantic British slang snafu, the abuse the Duchesses of Cambridge and Sussex are getting on social media plus what I read and watched this past week. This is now the fifth edition of Anglophile Life, have you enjoyed it so far? Please leave a comment if you … [Read more...] about Anglophile Life: A Lament for Ackergill Castle, Fanny’s Your Aunt, Best Place to Live, The Abuse of the Duchesses, What I read and Watched
A Journey to the Tudor Era: A Visit to Hever Castle & Gardens
Hever Castle is one of the most interesting places I've visited in my travels around England. The house is most famous as the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, the woman Henry VIII wanted to marry and thus caused Britan's break from Rome. It has had a long association with the Boleyn family. But it also had a double life as it came to prominence again in the early 20th century … [Read more...] about A Journey to the Tudor Era: A Visit to Hever Castle & Gardens
The Fiver: 5 of the Scariest Allegedly Haunted Castles in the United Kingdom
Castles can make for some of the scariest places in Britain. In some cases, their very design can be pretty intimidating, though most are simply breathtaking. Of course, with the castles’ long histories, there are many horrible things that have happened to the residents, servants, and prisoners that have caused them to remain behind. These ghosts continue to haunt the … [Read more...] about The Fiver: 5 of the Scariest Allegedly Haunted Castles in the United Kingdom
The Brit Travel Fiver – Five Beautiful Castles To Visit Still in Private Ownership
Once the strongest fortresses and most stately homes in Britain, castles tend to have some very expensive upkeep. Some aristocratic families were unable to keep them up and let them fall into disrepair, while others sold or donated their castles to organizations like the National Trust and Historic Scotland. Yet other landed gentry are still fortunate enough to own their … [Read more...] about The Brit Travel Fiver – Five Beautiful Castles To Visit Still in Private Ownership
Castles of England: Top 9 Castles in England To Visit On Your Next Trip
England possesses some of the world’s most beautiful castles. From the Normans to the Tudors, their builders wanted to use these fortresses as a place of defence, residence, displays of wealth, and shows of power. There are well over 1,500 castles in England, all in various states from ruins to perfectly intact. Of course, it’s hard to select only nine from so many, so let us … [Read more...] about Castles of England: Top 9 Castles in England To Visit On Your Next Trip
Great British Houses: The Legendary St Michael’s Mount in Cornwall
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the Spring 2016 issue of the Anglotopia Magazine (now sold out). Be sure to reserve the next copy of the Anglotopia magazine so you don't miss out! St Michael’s Mount, a stunning former medieval monastery and sprawling castle that is set atop an offshore island and is only accessible on foot during low tide, seems very much … [Read more...] about Great British Houses: The Legendary St Michael’s Mount in Cornwall
Guest Feature: A Brief Guide to Britain’s Best Castles – Which is your Favourite?
Britain is famed for her rich history which dates back thousands of years and is still visible today in the myriad historic sites in every town, village and city. From ancient monuments like Stonehenge and Bath’s Roman Baths to medieval religious centres like York Minster, when you visit Britain you will find hallmarks of this history in many forms and in all corners of … [Read more...] about Guest Feature: A Brief Guide to Britain’s Best Castles – Which is your Favourite?
Great British Buildings – Edinburgh Castle in Scotland
Long the symbol of power for the Kings and Queens of Scotland, Edinburgh Castle sits at the highest point of the city, a position that, at its construction was both a great defensive position and forcing others to look up to the crown. The reason for the castle’s high position is that Castle Rock is the plug of a long-extinct volcano that hasn’t been active for over 340 … [Read more...] about Great British Buildings – Edinburgh Castle in Scotland
The Caledonia Fiver: Top Five Romantic Ruins in Scotland To Visit On Your Next Trip
No matter where you go in Britain, you can find testaments to Britain’s past. In Scotland, ancient churches and castles, long-abandoned, provide a romantic backdrop for tourists and residents alike. From the courts of the Scottish kings to the cloisters once inhabited by monks, there are plenty of fantastic ruins to visit in Scotland whether you’re traveling with a new love … [Read more...] about The Caledonia Fiver: Top Five Romantic Ruins in Scotland To Visit On Your Next Trip
The Fiver: Top Five Most Romantic Ruins in Wales To Visit On Your Next Trip
With its rolling hills and greenery, the Welsh countryside is one of the most beautiful places in the whole of Britain. Dotting these hills are long-abandoned castles and churches, some slowly succumbing to the will of nature, while others stand as perfect shells of their former selves. Since the days of Wordsworth, people have been visiting these ruins to bask in their beauty … [Read more...] about The Fiver: Top Five Most Romantic Ruins in Wales To Visit On Your Next Trip
Ten Interesting Facts and Figures about Alnwick Castle and Gardens
Alnwick Castle near the town of the same name is the seat of the Duke of Northumberland and has been since Henry Percy, 1st Baron Percy, purchased the barony in 1309. The first parts of the castle predate the Percy family’s ownership by over two-hundred years, as historical records have its construction dated in 1096. Today, it is still owned by the Percy family who lives in … [Read more...] about Ten Interesting Facts and Figures about Alnwick Castle and Gardens
Great British Houses: Kimbolton Castle – A Stunning Castle Turned Mansion in Cambridgeshire
A Norman castle, a Tudor manor house, a Georgian mansion, and finally, a public school. Kimbolton Castle has survived many centuries of change. The final resting place of Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII’s divorced and banished Spanish Queen, Kimbolton Castle sits amidst wooded grounds close to the small town of Kimbolton. Kimbolton Castle is not generally open to the public, … [Read more...] about Great British Houses: Kimbolton Castle – A Stunning Castle Turned Mansion in Cambridgeshire
Ten Interesting Facts and Figures about Edinburgh Castle
Dominating the Edinburgh skyline, Edinburgh Castle is not only an icon of the city, but of Scotland itself. An ancient fortress sitting on a hill, Roman records describe a settlement on Castle Rock as early as the 2nd Century and the first castle there is attributed to King Ebraucus as early as 989 B.C. The Castle as it is now was begun in the 11th Century and its … [Read more...] about Ten Interesting Facts and Figures about Edinburgh Castle
Fit for a Queen: 10 Interesting Facts and Figures about Windsor Castle You Might Not Know
Originally built by King William I in the decade following the Battle of Hastings, today Windsor Castle is the largest castle still in use by a reigning monarch. Several monarchs have added onto William’s original castle over history, with more towers, walls, and buildings added. While Queen Elizabeth II tends to prefer Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle, it is still a … [Read more...] about Fit for a Queen: 10 Interesting Facts and Figures about Windsor Castle You Might Not Know
Great British Houses: Warwick Castle – A Stunning Medival Stone Castle Preserved in Warwickshire
The site of Warwick Castle has a history that stretches way back to the year 914 when an Anglo-Saxon Burh was established by Ethelfleda, daughter of Alfred the Great. Throughout the next 1200 years, this plot of land and the buildings erected upon it have played an integral part in many major happenings of English History. Some castles in the UK are still the … [Read more...] about Great British Houses: Warwick Castle – A Stunning Medival Stone Castle Preserved in Warwickshire
Great British Houses: Berkeley Castle – A Medieval Gothic Castle Famed For the Murder of Edward II
For anyone who still remembers their English History lessons, Berkeley Castle is a place of horror; a medieval gothic castle famed for being the setting of the grisly murder of Edward II and home to many a ghost with unfinished business. Remarkably, Berkeley Castle has belonged to the same family since its first incarnation in the 11th century and is today, not haunted or … [Read more...] about Great British Houses: Berkeley Castle – A Medieval Gothic Castle Famed For the Murder of Edward II
Great British Houses: Alnwick Castle – An Iconic Castle in Northumberland Made Famous by Harry Potter
Overlooking the lush green meadows of the banks of the River Aln and dominating the small town of Alnwick in Northumberland is the vast medieval fortress of Alnwick Castle. The stark and dramatic exterior of the castle, the site of various battles and sieges throughout the middles ages, contrasts with its opulent Victorian interiors and landscaped gardens that have led to … [Read more...] about Great British Houses: Alnwick Castle – An Iconic Castle in Northumberland Made Famous by Harry Potter
Great British Houses: Bolsover Castle – A Stunning Castle in Derbyshire That Played a Key Role in the English Civil War
Part 12th century medieval palace ruins and part 17th century Elizabethan renaissance mansion, Bolsover Castle in Derbyshire is a unique and internationally important structure. Once home to Cavalier playboy Sir William Cavendish who entertained King Charles I within its walls, Bolsover Castle has an intriguing past and earned its place in history with its role during the … [Read more...] about Great British Houses: Bolsover Castle – A Stunning Castle in Derbyshire That Played a Key Role in the English Civil War
Anglotopia was founded by Jonathan and Jackie Thomas in 2007 in a closet in Chicago. Anglotopia is for people who love Britain - whether it's British TV, Culture, History or Travel - we cover it all. Join us as we explore Britain and everything it has to offer!
