3 Castles to Visit on an England Trip

Castles hold a romantic fascination for all of us, but especially for kids. You’ll want to include at least one during your family travels in England. Many of these are also among the best places to learn about England’s history and culture, with expertly curated exhibits and activities for young visitors.

Dover Castle © Alberto Dubini | Dreamstime.com

Not far from London, Dover Castle stands on a promontory high above the sea and ticks all the boxes for a perfect castle: formidable stone walls and imposing ramparts. All it needs to complete the picture is a band of medieval knights in armor riding from its gates. Inside, the castle’s rooms show how powerful people lived in the Middle Ages, and kids can watch authentic foods cooked and period skills demonstrated.

Centuries later, deep in the caves under Dover’s famous white cliffs, British commanders were secretly planning the rescue of the British Army from the beaches of Dunkirk during World War II. Older kids will want to take a tour of the Secret War Tunnels and operations rooms, which bring those tense days to life.

Warwick Castle © David Steele | Dreamstime.com

Other English castles make history fun with special programs and re-enactments, too. Like Dover Castle, the impressive ramparts and towers of medieval Warwick Castle survived the centuries in good condition, and you can tour the entire complex while kids envision themselves as fierce knights and dancing princesses. Something is always happening here, maybe a jousting match or falconry demonstration, and special programs for kids give them plenty of hands-on experiences that reveal something of medieval life and the castle’s history.

Bamburgh Castle © Sara Winter | Dreamstime.com

Step even farther back in history and meet the Vikings at Bamburgh Castle, its massive stone walls and towers rising above the sea. The castle’s site has been occupied for thousands of years, and the castle itself was built in the 11^th century, so be prepared to hear legends and ghostly stories of its past as you tour.

Daily events and weekend reenactments bring Anglo-Saxon history to life, and workshops focus on daily occupations such as medieval medicine and court embroidery. Kids can join Anglo-Saxon ladies to learn about wool and other crafts, as well as trying their own skills at weaving, leather stamping or braiding on a lucet. They can take home a souvenir they created themselves. Children 8 and younger can learn how to fight like a Viking, using foam swords and working with others to create a shield wall for defense. These activities are included with admission.