These are the best rated castles and palaces in the UK

At Fairfax & Favor we are naturally fans of the outdoors and love to partake in a visit to a National Heritage Site or local landmark. In the UK, we are fortunate to be home to over 4,000 castles and palaces, making it  a great idea to list the top castles to go to next time you fancy a UK break.

We have done the research, analysing the popularity, weather and average customer review of all major UK castles and palaces across the four nations to see which ranked highest. Our method was to use Met weather data to note the average days of rain and average temperature, comparing this against the average star rating from Google reviews and average monthly searches from Brits looking to visit each. Each of the four categories was scored to give a total out of 100. Take a look at the top 10 destinations below:

It makes complete sense that an active royal residence ranks as the number one castle to visit within the UK, as the Royal family is known to draw a crowd. Located in Berkshire in the South East, Windsor Castle is a popular tourist destination and was home to Queen Elizabeth II before her passing in 2022, it has also notably been the location of several Royal weddings. It has been said the Prince and Princess of Wales sometimes occupy the residence. Visitors can book tickets for admission for part of the castle, in the region of £15.00 to £33.00. If you want to take in the castle from afar, the park is open to all visitors and makes an idyllic spot to stop for a picnic or to people-watch. Windsor Castle has one of the highest average temperatures and lowest rainfall of all UK castle and palaces.

The second top castle for visiting was Buckingham Palace. Arguably the most famous Royal residence in the world, Buckingham Palace is the official headquarters of King Charles. The building hosts all manner of events from State banquets to royal Garden parties. Built in 1703, the large palace is a sight to behold and has long been a must-see destination for London tourists. The building holds generations of royal history and is open to the public to visit during Winter and Spring. Tickets range from £16.00 to £32.00.

The Tower of London is a listed World Heritage Site and is home to the Crown Jewels, giving you more than enough reason to visit. Purchasing a ticket will give you up close access to the Crown Jewels, as part of an impressive exhibition for guests to behold. There are also tours depicting the deep history of the tower, including treachery and torture for those who are into their history and want to learn more about the tower’s history as a prison from the 1100s. The tower also has its own ravens, who are known to be guardians of the tower. Tickets range from free (for members) up to £34.80.

Blenheim Palace describes itself online as ‘Britain’s Greatest Palace’ and it’s clear to see why when you take a look at the impressive grounds and construction of this famous landmark. Located in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, it is the only non-royal, non-episcopal country house in England to hold the title of palace. Named after the 1704 Battle of Blenheim, the palace was intended as a gift for John Churchill, after triumphs against the french. In World War 2 Blenheim Palace was used by MI5 and the British Council. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tickets are tiered based on access and range from £7.00 for children to £48.00 for the adult Privilege Pass.

The top ranked castle for the midlands and fifth overall, Warwick Castle was built in 1068 by William the Conqueror. Located in Warwickshire, in the West Midlands, the castle offers a range of fun and educational activities for families, including a historical maze. Take a walk around the grounds or enjoy the impressive state rooms and great hall. Standard entry tickets range from £22.00 to £39.00.

This palace is a grade 1 listed royal palace, located in Herefordshire in the West Midlands. It is most renowned as the residence of King Henry VIII, known as the ‘most sophisticated and magnificent palace in England’ once he had finished construction. Henry VIII resided here in the 1530s and today the palace offers Tudor-inspired activities and tours to teach you all about the famous king. Tickets range from free (for members) to £27.20 for adults.

Eltham Palace is another Tudor royal residence which made the top ten ranked list, in fact it has been said to be one of the largest and most frequented royal residences in the country. This palace is located in southeast London and spans 19 acres, it features an intriguing art deco interior to tour. The palace is one of just six residences large enough to accommodate the entire Tudor court, catering to 800+ people in its time as a royal household. In 2024 the palace hosts regular events for visitors and costs from free (for members) up to £19.00 for adults.

Leeds Castle is located in Leeds in Kent, not Yorkshire. The castle is built on islands in a lake formed by the River Len to the east of the village of Leeds and is a historic Grade I listed estate. Leeds Castle features an impressive lake surrounding the entire structure, making for idyllic pictures on your visit. The castle dates back to 857 and was home to Henry VIII’s first wife Catherine of Aragon. Today the castle is open to visitors from across the world and costs anywhere from £25 for children to £35 for adults.

Located in West Sussex, in the South East of England, Arundel Castle was established by Roger de Montgomery in the 11th century. De Montgomery was declared as the first Earl of Arundel by William the Conqueror after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The castle still has hallmarks of Norman architectural influence, such as the Norman keep. Its well-preserved tapestries and furniture make it great to visit for a day out to take in some history first-hand. Arundal is also a historic town in its own right, making the location well worth a visit. Castle entrance tickets range from £12.00 for basic children tickets to £31.00 for the full jousting package for adults.

Ranking 10th overall, Dover Castle is located in Kent and provides stunning views of the famous white cliffs of Dover. The castle is a Grade 1 listed building and was founded in the 11th century, just after 1066. It is said to be one of the biggest castles in Britain, a title making it worthy of a visit with no further detail required. The site features two of Dover’s Roman lighthouses, one of just three surviving lighthouses in the world. 2024 Tours feature a lot of history to take in, promising the ‘colourful history of Henry II’. Ticket prices start from free (for members) up to £23.00 for adults.

Ranked as Scotland’s number one castle in our list, Edinburgh Castle stands on Castle Rock and was a royal residence until 1633. It was home to Queen Margaret and was the place of her death in 1093. In 2024, the castle is known for its picturesque view, cobbled streets and historic architecture. Members get free entry to the castle and tickets for general admission range up to £19.50 for adults.

Known as the ‘Red Castle’, this structure is stunning to see first-hand and boasts traditional architecture from the 19th century. It truly depicts what you imagine a fairytale castle to look like and is perfect for photography. As Wales’ top rated castle, it is located above the village of Tongwynlais, just north of Cardiff. Current prices state entry is free for members or up to £9.50 for adults.

Named after an Anglo-Saxon family who owned the property from the 16th century, Audley Castle has a unique stature and boasts idyllic views. Set in County Down in Northern Ireland, the castle has grown additional notoriety due to being used as a filming location for HBO’s Game of Thrones series for the infamous ‘Red Wedding’ scene. Currently tickets to visit are free, making this a perfectly cost-effective day out for families.

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