England’s royal household is likely one of the most identified royal households on this planet. Queen Elizabeth II to Prince Louise and each member in between, has headlines devoted to them. Lady Diana was mourned all over the world for her premature dying. The extraordinarily current Prince Harry’s memoir ‘Spare’ created ripples throughout the United Kingdom and past. People are intrigued by them, some can’t get sufficient of them, and lots of others need to affiliate themselves with the royals.
How about staying within the residences the place as soon as the English kings and queens resided?
Unfortunately, Buckingham Palace with its mind-boggling 775 rooms, is but to open its doorways to visitors. But the excellent news is that there are different castles which have opened their doorways to the frequent man. The castles have been renovated and are available outfitted with all the fashionable facilities. The expertise of staying in a fort lodge is an ideal mix of medieval and modern eras.
There are over 4000 castles throughout England, some well-known, whereas the bulk stay unknown. The latter half of the twentieth century noticed many lesser-known castles being transformed into lodges. Living in a fort is the closest one can get to the royals. As you stroll down the fort corridors, the very thought that royals like Henry VIII, Queen Elizabeth I, and King Edward I’ve walked them, the railings touched by them, and the bedrooms slept in will enthrall you.
These castles have survived centuries. The thick fort partitions have seen romance, high-voltage drama, scandals, and executions. They have all types of tales to inform which embrace joyful, gory, and tragic. Some castles even come hooked up to ghosts! They supply excursions, eating experiences, and even marriage ceremony packages.
We decide 6 fort lodges in England out of many in numerous components of England.
Leeds Castle
Leeds Castle, Maidstone, Kent, ME17 1PL
Leeds Castle in Kent, England, has been known as the ‘loveliest castle in the world’ due to its environment.
Over the centuries, the magnificent constructing has not solely served as a royal residence but additionally as a jail. Over the years it has been occupied by quite a few kings and queens. It was residence to six medieval queens. Other notable residents embrace King Edward I, Henry VIII, his spouse Catherine of Aragon, and King Edward VI.
Leeds Castle Foundation has turned Leeds Castle right into a lodge. The visitors are welcome to select from a room, a cottage, or a glamping lodging. Frescoes, work, and medieval objects adorn the hallways of the medieval fort. The authentic ‘Field of the Cloth of Gold’, which commemorates the assembly between King Henry VIII and French King Francis I in 1520, hangs there.
Interiors are executed with medieval-style furnishings and furnishings. The 500 acres of outside land have mazes, waterfalls, landscaped lawns, aviaries, and vineyards. The Dog Collar Museum showcasing canine collars is a part of the complicated. Other actions that one can bask in embrace a ferry boat trip, a segway tour, and a scorching air balloon flight. One can get pleasure from golf of their well-designed 9-hole golf course.
The fort hosts quite a lot of occasions making it a well-liked vacationer attraction. You may get pleasure from lunch or a day tea of their inhouse Castle View Restaurant which has lovely views of their lush inexperienced lawns.
Hotel web site: www.leeds-castle.com
Hever Castle
Hever Castle, Astor Wing, Hever Castle, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7NG
Built within the thirteenth century, Hever Castle is positioned in Hever which is a village close to Kent.
It was the maternal residence of Anne Boleyn, the second spouse of Henry VIII. It was on the Hever Castle that Anne Boyle caught the attention of Henry VIII whereas he was nonetheless married. It was fairly a scandal, making Anne Boyle unpopular among the many plenty. However, their marriage was very short-lived. Divorce was not simple because the Catholic church doesn’t permit divorce. Anne Boyle was executed on the Tower Of London. One of the controversial royals, she was the queen of England from 1533-1536 and the mom of Queen Elizabeth I who later went on to rule England for 45 years.
Fast ahead to the current. The present homeowners the Guthries have restored the constructing, consciously making simply minor adjustments. Hever Castle is taken into account to be one of the crucial well-preserved Tudor interval castles within the U.Okay. Timbered ceilings and polished picket flooring give the fort a comfortable and regal look.
The rooms and corridors have costly furnishings. Portraits of royals could be seen adorning the fort’s partitions. The ornament items and antiques relationship again to the thirteenth century go away one impressed. 35 acres of superbly landscaped gardens add to the allure of the palace. As you stroll round you’ll come throughout a artifical lake, ponds, and fountains.
You can be part of the Castle’s Golf Club which additionally has a Health and a Well Being Center which provides quite a lot of remedies to appease one’s senses. Hever Castle’s restaurant ‘The Waterside’ is a superb place for lunch on a sunny afternoon.
If you want to get pleasure from a day tea, a previous reserving must be made. The fort continuously hosts occasions and reveals making it a well-liked vacationer attraction.
Hotel web site: www.hevercastle.co.uk
Lumley Castle
Lumley Castle, Ropery Ln, Chester-le-Street DH3 4NX, UK
The 600 years outdated Lumley Castle was initially a manor home which was later transformed right into a fort. The fort takes its identify from the person who was behind its creation, Sir Ralph Lumley. He was a courageous soldier, who turned a prisoner and was finally executed within the 1400s for rebelling towards King Henry IV.
Presently owned by Earl of Scarbrough, the property has been set free to No Ordinary Hotels. It is likely one of the finest four-star lodges in Durham. The lodge has 73 rooms, all having 4 poster comfortable beds and well-maintained medieval-style furnishings. With a picturesque backdrop, lush inexperienced gardens, and good views of River Wear, the fort has a bonus over different castles. King James Suite is the right room to expertise an genuine fort keep. Lumley’s Knights eating places supply an unimaginable eating expertise full with scrumptious meals and ambiance.
Recognized by Tripadvisor, the lodge received ‘The Travellers choice award’ in 2021. Lumley Castle is likely one of the pet-friendly properties and value contemplating in case you are on a vacation along with your pooch. Ralph Lumley’s lover, Lily is the ghost of Lumley Castle. They have an fascinating exercise: The Escape Room during which you might need an encounter together with her.
Hotel web site: www.lumleycastle.com
Coombe Abbey
Coombe Abbey Hotel, Brinklow Road, Binley, Warwickshire, CV3 2AB
Coombe Abbey has a somewhat fascinating historical past. The historical past of the constructing dates again to the twelfth century when it began as a monastery. Located in Warwickshire, it was initially known as the Abbey of Cumbe.
It was one of the crucial influential monasteries in the entire of England earlier than it bumped into debt within the sixteenth century. The abbey was finally surrendered to the crown when King Henry VIII was the king. It was the childhood residence of Elizabeth Stuart, daughter of James I who went on to grow to be Queen of Bohemia later in life.
In 1995, No Ordinary Hotels administration took over its administration. Major renovations had been carried out however some medieval monastery options just like the spiral staircases and stone walled foyer have been renovated however stay. You may spot the confessional field of the monastery. Some of the vintage furnishings has been retained.
The decor of all 119 rooms is exclusive. Traditional materials and furnishing take one’s breath away. The 500 acres of land across the fort is a rustic park. Coombe Abbey is likely one of the castles with ghost tales. Not one, however a number of ghosts have been noticed on the grounds. The lodge hosts enjoyable actions like homicide thriller weekends and medieval-themed banquets.
Hotel web site: www.coombeabbey.com
Langley Castle Hotel
Langley Castle Hotel, Langley Hexham Northumberland NE47 5LU
Built within the 14th century, Langley Castle is far smaller compared with medieval castles. The whole space of Langley Castle is simply over 10 acres. The fort was constructed by Sir Thomas Lucy. In the previous, it was a medieval tower home, after which it served as World War 2 barracks and a women’ faculty.
Langley Castle Hotel’s present proprietor, Dr. Stuart Madnick, an American, has meticulously restored the fort to its previous glory. The lodge’s plush foyer has some spectacular artifacts on show. Grand chandeliers and a hearth add to its magnificence. Langley Castle Hotel has additionally received the title of ‘Best Small Hotel of the Year’ as effectively the ‘Trip Advisor Travellers’ selection award’ within the yr 2022.
The lodge has 27 bedrooms providing an opulent keep to its visitors. Some loos come full with sauna spa bathtub options and now have a hearth. The distinguished rooms embrace the Derwent Water Room, the Radcliffe Room, the Josephine Room, and the Tower Room. The lodge believes in following sustainable practices and is a pet-friendly lodge.
This medieval lodge is believed to be haunted by the Grey Lady. She is believed to be the spirit of Sir Thomas’ widow, who dedicated suicide after listening to the information of her husband’s dying in a battle.
Hotel web site: www.langleycastle.co.uk
Château Rhianfa
Beaumaris Rd, Menai Bridge LL59 5NS, United Kingdom
Built within the yr 1849, the picture-perfect Château Rhianfa is commonly described as a fort proper out of a fairytale.
Built on the banks of the Menai Strait with the Snowdonia mountain vary within the backdrop, the situation of Château Rhianfa is extraordinarily picturesque. Sir John Williams, 1st Baronet of Bodelwyddan, and his spouse had been impressed by the Loire area of France and are a lot identified for Château Rhianfa French type structure.
AmaZing Venues Group has effectively renovated and has made a few adjustments in Château Rhianfa, making it one of the crucial lovely castles in England.
The fort has received a number of awards together with the ‘Visit Wales Gold Award’. This Country House Hotel is most popular by vacationers visiting North Wales due to the completely gorgeous views the lodge has to supply. The visitors get to see some wonderful views of the Snowdonia Mountain Range. The lodge in all has 27 bedrooms.
Each room is completed up with bygone period and wealthy furnishings. Le Dragon Rouge, the in-house restaurant serves unimaginable meals. The lodge provides fort excursions, wine tasting, and cocktail-making workshops to its visitors/ guests. Rib Ride Boat tour is a well-liked leisure exercise.
Looking for a picturesque spot close by? Anglesey’s iconic lighthouse is simply an 18 min drive away.
Love journey? Trek as much as discover the Snowdonia mountains or perhaps simply go for an extended stroll in Snowdonia National Park, one of many UK’s 15 National Parks.
Perfect fort selection to appease your senses and luxuriate in a chilled keep.
Hotel web site: www.chateaurhianfa.co.uk
Keep shopping: Europe’s finest fort lodges for {couples}
Simran Raju is a Delhi-based journey author. Writing well-researched articles on journey and creating vacation spot guides is what she likes to do. An MBA diploma holder, Simran opted out of the rat race to pursue a profession in writing. If this submit caught your eye, share your suggestions together with her on ms.simranraju@gmail.com . If you need to work together with her, do the identical!