13 Amazing Castles That Can Be Rented in the UK

Whenever you think about vacation, you must carefully plan what you want to see and experience, but most importantly, where you want to stay. Whether at a hotel or a rental, you ensure the accommodation suits your needs. But have you ever considered renting a castle? No, we don’t mean the types of castles rented by pop stars and billionaires, but the affordable ones available all over the UK. Yes, they do exist! Here are some examples:

Tawstock Castle (England)

The last castle in England, Tawstock Castle, was built in the 18th century by Sir Bourchier Wrey, overlooking the Taw Valley and Saunton Sands, which guarantees spectacular views to whoever stays there.

The castle accommodates up to eight people and features a main hall, kitchen, study, and four bedrooms, two of which are en suite. The other two bedrooms are in the tower, with amazing views from the roof terrace and the tower lookout.

The estate even has a helipad if you’re looking for somewhere to land your helicopter.

The main hall has a fireplace, a 42” TV with an accompanying PlayStation 3 and DVD player, a foosball table, and a dining area. The kitchen has a microwave, refrigerator, dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer.

The Castle is located close to Barnstaple. North Devon is also nearby, where you can find several shops, restaurants, pubs, cafes, nature reserves, and three surfing beaches. Agatha Christie’s former home is also located in Devon.

If you enjoy history, the town of Barnstaple is full of landmarks, such as almshouses, a Norman castle mound, and a quayside merchant’s hall. Just outside Barnstaple, you’ll find the National Trust Carriage Museum, which houses over 40 antique carriages, including lavish coaches for dignitaries and plain carriages for servants.

Booking the castle requires a three-night minimum at $59 per person per night. Children must be supervised in certain areas, such as the roof terrace and the tower lookout, for their own safety. Pets are not permitted.

Your children can also enjoy the Exmoor Zoo close by.

At this cheap price and unique accommodations, you and seven of your friends or family members can stay in an actual castle and experience life in the 1800s but with modern conveniences.

Kinnaird Castle – Macduff Tower (Scotland)

This 15th-century castle sleeps 4 to 6 people (up to 10 during Christmas and New Year) within two luxury apartments with expansive panoramic views over the Park from the 2nd floor. It has plenty of space for entertaining a group or sitting by the log fire for quiet, quiet, and relaxation.

Kinnaird Castle is a castle in Angus, Scotland. For more than 600 years, it was home to the Carnegie family, the Earls of Southesk. It was rebuilt in 1921.

The main suite has a four-poster bed and is decorated with beautiful portraits. It has a spacious bathroom attached to it with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the park in two directions. The second bedroom has twin beds and also overlooks the park.

The spacious sitting room, which leads onto the kitchen, is ideal for hosting a large gathering. The apartment is cosy and heated by a biomass boiler throughout the year.

The apartments can be rented for at least two nights at £420 during the low season, from November to March, and £530 during the high season, from April to October.

Traquair House (Scotland)

If you’ve ever wondered how it would feel to stay where Kings and Queens once dwelled, we’ve got the place for you. Initially owned by the kings of Scotland, Traquair Castle later became the home of the Earls of Traquair and is still lived in by their descendants, the Maxwell Stuart family. The house once provided refuge for Catholic priests in times of terror, as the Stuarts of Traquair supported Mary Queen of Scots and the Jacobite cause. Consequently, they were imprisoned, fined, and isolated.

Traquair provides a unique and intimate atmosphere for the entire family. It includes three large double bedrooms with antique furniture, canopied beds, private baths, and central heating. Breakfast is served every morning in the Still Room, after which guests can stroll through the grounds to the River Tweed, where they can fish.

Honeymoon Couples are particularly welcome for overnight stays and receive a complimentary bottle of our French sparkling wine.

The prices for one night start at £220.

Kilmartin Castle (Scotland)

Kilmartin is a 16th-century castle in Kilmartin, Scotland, built in 1550 for John Carswell, the Rector of Kilmartin Glen and Bishop of The Isles. He lived there for around 15 years before moving to his new residence at Carnasserie Castle, 1.5 miles north of Kilmartin. The castle was passed down to the Campbell Clan, one of the most powerful clans in the Highlands. Over the years, it was abandoned and fell to ruin. Kilmartin was restored and refurbished as a bed and breakfast in the 1990s, and in 2019, it opened its doors as a B&B.

Kilmartin Castle now has four en-suite bedrooms, each with antique furnishings, modern pieces, and original artworks, and it can sleep up to ten people.

Kilmartin Castle lies in a small village in Western Scotland that is known as the centre of Kilmartin Glen, an area rife with prehistoric monuments and historical sites, including important Neolithic, Bronze Age, and Iron Age sites, so there is no shortage of sites to keep your inner history buff busy during your time at the castle. You can also explore Kilmartin Museum or Kilmartin Church nearby, which has a collection of sculptured stones ranging from 900 to the 1600s or visit the local pub in the evenings for a warm drink and a cosy meal.

Kilmartin Castle can be rented for £600 to £900, but the rates usually increase around Christmas.

Scone Palace (Scotland)

One of the most iconic attractions in Scotland, Scone Palace welcomes guests and visitors alike. The Palace’s State Rooms are open from April to October, and the grounds, including the David Douglas Pinetum and a star-shaped maze, are open to the public. The Palace also hosts outdoor events and weddings.

Built in the 12th century, Scone was originally a church and then an abbey. It was severely damaged in 1559 during the Scottish Reformation, but in 1600, it became a Lordship, thus becoming home to the Earls of Mansfield for over 400 years.

For nearly 1,000 years, Scone was the crowning place of Scottish kings, where Macbeth, Robert the Bruce, and Charles II were once crowned and the home of the Stone of Scone. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert also visited in the 1840s.

During and immediately after the Second World War, Scone Palace was transformed into Craigmount School, a private boarding school for girls.

Now, you can walk down the Long Galley, where King Charles II marched to his coronation in 1661. During the Jacobite rebellion, the ‘Old Pretender’ (James Edward, the son of James II of England) spent three weeks here, and his son, Bonnie Prince Charlie, visited the castle in 1745.

Among the fantastic historical antiques, you’ll find the needlework of Mary Queen of Scots that she worked on while in prison on Loch Leven, the desk at which Queen Marie Antionette wrote her letters before her execution, or the State Rooms where Queen Victoria was entertained on her way to the Highlands in 1842, and the bedroom in which she slept, in addition to many significant paintings, porcelain, and other artworks.

Scone Palace is surrounded by beautiful gardens, perfect for a stroll or a picnic. There’s a great adventure playground for children, not to mention the unique ‘tartan’ maze in the shape of the heraldic Murray Star.

Hen Wrych Hall Tower (Wales)

Relax next to the open fire in this romantic castle tower for two in County Conwy’s astounding Gwrych Castle. These luxurious accommodations are on three floors and date back to around 1822. Lord designed them and Lady Bamford Hesketh and architect Thomas Rickman.

The cosy ground floor has a country-style kitchen and a table for two where you can enjoy your meals. Then, you can curl up on the sofa in front of the television as the log burner warms you up.

The hand-carved mahogany staircase leads to the first floor, which features a Victorian bathroom and a landing with an antique bookcase.

The second floor has the Master bedroom with its Elizabethan-style, four-poster bed.

Take a stroll through the peaceful gardens of the Castle, or tour the nearby surrounding woodland and hillsides for a beautiful and enjoyable stay. You’ll find several local pubs, restaurants, and shops just one mile away.

You can stay at this fantastic home for £436 per week.

Lews Castle (Scotland)

Lews Castle is a Victorian-style castle on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland. It was built between 1844 and 1851 for Sir James Matheson, the island’s owner.

In 1918, it was bought by Lord Leverhulme, who gave the castle to the people of Stornoway parish in 1923.

In the 1950s, the Castle was used for accommodation for students of Lews Castle College. Then, it fell to disuse for several decades.

The local council now owns the building, which has been converted into accommodations for guests who wish to explore the Scottish countryside.

The standard room costs £68 per night, or you can spend £100 for a one-bedroom apartment or £102 for a two-bedroom apartment.

The castle also has a museum that offers an interactive explanation of the area’s history and culture and an exhibition of unique objects dating from prehistory to the present day.

Eastnor Castle (England)

Located in the Malvern Hills, this magnificent fairytale castle has beautiful views of the surrounding Herefordshire countryside. It is a two-and-a-half-hour drive from London and can sleep up to 10 guests.

A beautiful deer park, arboretum, and lake surround the castle. It is an exclusive wedding venue, private party venue, and filming location.

The estate was established in the late 16th century to the designs of Robert Smirke.

Watermouth Castle (England)

Watermouth Castle is in North Devon, England. George Wightwick designed it as a country house for the Bassett family in the mid-19th century until they left the castle in 1945.

The castle houses a collection of Victorian antiques, including domestic tools and amusement machines, a family theme park, and holiday apartments.

The castle is open to the public, and many areas are set up for entertainment, including The Watershow Extravaganza, Dungeon Labyrinths, and Castle Treasure. There are also several rides, such as Merry Go Land, Adventure Land, and Gnome Land.

The castle accepts guests in its two apartments with two bathrooms, and six people can sleep in it for £895.

With its incredible theme park, it will surely be an enjoyable stay for the entire family.

Ludlow Castle Lodgings (England)

Ludlow Castle is a medieval castle in the Shropshire countryside of England. You can walk through the Castle grounds and explore the ancient houses where royalty and nobility resided.

The Castle used to be a Norman Fortress, and over the centuries, it was transformed into a fortified Royal Palace. It was initially built to hold back unconquered Welsh and passed down through generations of the de Lacy and Mortimer families to Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York. It became Crown property in 1461 but fell into ruin after being abandoned in 1689.

The Earls of Powis has owned the castle since 1811, and he decided to open it to the public. Nowadays, the Castle hosts Ludlow’s significant festivals throughout the year.

Many shops and restaurants along the medieval streets surround the Castle.

The castle houses three renovated apartments for four people, with a fully equipped kitchen, two bedrooms, and two bathrooms, priced between £895 and £1,230.

Rowton Castle Hotel (England)

In the centre of the Shropshire countryside and surrounded by 17 acres of lush gardens, Rowton Castle was built in the 17th century but has a history going back to 1234. It was converted into a hotel by its present owners and now offers luxurious accommodation and extensive wedding and conference facilities in a magical historic setting.

Stay at Rowton Castle Hotel for a romantic escape, a weekend break, or simply exploring the Shropshire countryside. The castle’s charming English gardens provide a perfect backdrop for any wedding.

The facilities also offer other activities, such as go-karting, falconry, Murder Mystery Dinners, and Casino evenings.

Depending on your choice of room, you can book one of its rooms or suites for around £150.

Glenapp Castle (Scotland)

Located about 2.4 km southeast of Ballantrae, South Ayrshire in Scotland, Glenapp Castle, formerly the Earl of Inchcape family seat, has joined the castles transformed into luxury hotels.

The castle, designed in the Scottish Baronial style and finished in 1870, was owned by the Inchcape family from 1917 until the 1980s. Famous aviator Elsie Mackay, the daughter of the first Earl of Inchcape, lived at the castle until her tragic death in 1928 as she attempted to fly across the Atlantic.

The Castle opened as a hotel in 2000, and you can only enter if you have a reservation at the hotel or the restaurant.

Glenapp Castle overlooks several islands, including Ailsa Craig, Arran, and Mull of Kintyre. It is also close to Galloway Forest Park, Culzean Castle, and several botanical gardens. The castle is almost a mile from the electronically gated entrance, so keep that in mind as you arrive.

The castle has 17 bedrooms at Glenapp Castle, each with individual designs and lavish furnishings. Many of the rooms have superb sea views.

Delgatie Castle – Symbister Suite (Scotland)

Delgatie Castle is located near Turriff, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It has been in place since 1030 AD, although it has undergone several renovations and restorations. The current castle was built between 1570 and 1579, and additional wings and a chapel were added in 1743.

Mary, Queen of Scots, stayed at the castle as a guest in 1562 after the Battle of Corrichie.

Like many castles in the UK, Delgatie is rumoured to be haunted. Several reports by soldiers posted there during the Second World War stated that they saw a ghostly red-haired figure, supposedly one Alexander Hay.

The castle, grounds, and café are open to the public throughout the summer months, and suites within the castle itself and several cottages on the estate are available to rent. The river passing through the estate also has a popular fishing site.

Which Castle Piqued Your Interest?

Staying at a regular hotel seems to have lost its lustre after we’ve explored these charming and enchanting castles that once belonged to royalty and nobility and are now open to the public so that you can enjoy a stay at a historical landmark and experience what it would have been to live in these times, while also surrounded by modern conveniences. Which of these castle hotels would you choose to stay at? You can always check out our collection to stay in Northern Ireland’s capital, Belfast 🙂 Happy vacation!