Many European countries are famous for their castles, and the UK is no exception. While there are some Iron Age forts dotted around the British countryside, most of the famous castles date from the Norman period onwards. Here are three of the oldest castles to be found in the UK, each of them unique and well worth a visit. Almost all of them have been changed, adapted, and reworked since they were first built, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a strong sense of history around each one.
Dover Castle, Kent
This castle is set in very beautiful and dramatic surroundings, perched on a cliff above the town of Dover. While William the Conqueror did build a castle here, the building that stands today is a Tudor creation, with many additions being made to the castle over subsequent centuries.
The Tower of London, London
Built in 1078, just over a decade after William the Conqueror seized the English throne, the White Tower was the largest and most imposing building in Britain when it was built. Even today, although it is dwarfed by nearby skyscrapers and buildings, it retains much of its glory and mysterious power. A tour around the tower and its grounds yields lots of information, including about the English kings and queens who have met their end here.
Chepstow Castle, Wales
This castle also has its origins in the reign of William the Conqueror, and it has the proud title of being Britain’s oldest post-Roman stone structure. It played an important role in the English Civil War and was used for a long time as a prison, before being abandoned. Since then, it became one of the earliest historical tourist attractions in the UK, and it continues to attract many visitors and history buffs today.