The oldest castles in Britain: Explore Britain’s ancient fortifications

From Roman ruins to medieval strongholds, this list will transport you back centuries.

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Published: Tuesday, 28 May 2024 at 12:26 PM

By 1066, Britain was littered with forts, the very first of which had been built by Iron Age inhabitants.

However, it was the Normans, with their revolutionary ‘motte and bailey’ design – a hand-built mound with a wooden fort on top and a high high fence all around – who ushered in the Age of the Castle in the parts of Britain they conquered.

The Normans threw up hundreds of such castles in the first 20 years of their reign. Although the vast majority have disappeared completely from the landscape, the more important castles were improved over the centuries, leaving us with some of our most dramatic and impressive examples of medieval architecture, even if little or none of their original Norman roots remain.

Here then are nine of the oldest surviving castles that had their origins in the very earliest days of the Normans plus, as a bonus, Scotland’s oldest known castle:

Chepstow Castle

Beautiful Chepstow Castle – the oldest surviving post-Roman stone fortification in Britain. Credit: Getty

Britain’s oldest surviving stone fortification after the Roman era, Chepstow is also one of the very first castles built in Wales (albeit initially with timber). It was the work of Earl William fitz Osbern, one of William I’s closest friends, who chose to site it on a dramatic limestone cliff above the Wye in 1067.

Over the centuries, it was improved, adapted and enlarged – each phase in its life reflecting the evolution of the arsenal of weapons available to those who might attack it. Having seen service in the English Civil War (when it fell to the Roundheads) it was turned into a prison before being abandoned, becoming a star attraction in the early days of tourism.

Today it provides a fascinating insight into the development of British castles from their earliest incarnations to their last hurrahs.

Useful information

Check Chepstow Castle‘s website for prices and visitor information.

Dover Castle, Kent 

dover castle oldest castle
Described as the “Key to England” due to its defensive significance throughout history. Credit: Getty

Between his victory near Hastings and his coronation in London, William visited Dover, whose citizens promptly surrendered. Unmoved, he set light to the fortified clifftop town, then threw up a makeshift castle from local clay in just eight days.

The magnificent structure that stands today is mostly the work of Henrys II and III.

Useful information

Check Dover Castle‘s website for exact dates and times. Plus visitor information.

Dane John Mound, Kent 

oldest castles Dane John mound
The maze built in the grounds of the castle ruins. Credit: Getty

William’s invasion force moved on to Canterbury, where the simplest way of establishing a castle was to build up the height of the city’s ancient Roman burial mound.

This motte and bailey affair was abandoned after mere decades but the mound survives as part of public gardens first planted in 1803.

Useful information

For more information visit Canterbury Archaeology

Berkhamsted Castle, Hertfordshire 

oldest castle berkhamsted
The castle was originally built to obtain control of a key route between London and the Midlands. Credit: Getty 

Unable to seize London from the south, William circled north to Berkhamsted where he received the surrender of various Saxon dignitaries.

Probably built by his half-brother Robert of Mortain, Berkhamsted Castle controlled a major thoroughfare between London and the Chilterns. Saved from being destroyed by a new railway line in the 1830s, it’s now a picturesque moated ruin.

Useful information

For more information visit Berkhamsted Castle

The Tower of London 

oldest castles Tower of London White Tower
The White Tower was the castle’s strongest point militarily, provided accommodation for the king and housed a chapel. Credit: Getty

Even as William was being crowned on Christmas Day 1066, work was going on to create a timber castle in London.

Keen to show his new subjects who was the new boss, the construction of the famous White Tower began in 1078 – becoming the largest building ever seen in Britain. 

Useful information

Check Tower of London‘s website for exact dates and times. Plus visitor information.

Winchester Castle, Hampshire 

oldest castle Winchester castle
Founded in 1067, only the Great Hall still stands from the original medieval building. Credit: Getty

Built in 1067 on top of a huge rampart where once stood a Roman fort, Winchester Castle became the seat of Norman power in England for over a century.

Henry III’s Great Hall survives to this day and is one of the most spectacular medieval halls in the country.

Useful information

For more information visit Winchester Castle

Norwich Castle, Norfolk 

oldest castle Norwich castle
A medieval royal fortification in the city of Norwich, it was used as a gaol from 1220 to 1887. Credit: Getty

Almost 100 Saxon houses were pulled down in 1067 to allow Norwich Castle to be constructed. Today’s impressive stone keep, which stands on the site of Queen Boudica’s camp, was the work of King William (Rufus) II.

The castle hosts a museum and art gallery that will re-open later this year after a major refurbishment.

Useful information

For the latest visitor information, check Norwich Castle

Warwick Castle, Warwickshire 

oldest castle warwick castle
Developed from a wooden fort, Warwick Castle was originally built by William the Conqueror. Credit: Getty

Commanding a bend of the River Avon, William had the castle built in 1068 in order to help secure the Midlands. It later played a leading role in both the Wars of the Roses and the English Civil War.

Latterly, the impressive fortress has been converted into a sort of medieval theme park.

Useful information

It’s recommended to check Warwick Castle‘s website for exact opening hours for your visit.

Arundel Castle, West Sussex 

oldest castles Arundel Castle
The restored and remodelled medieval castle at Arundel. Credit: Getty

The original imposing motte, which was thrown up in 1068, still stands at Arundel, the seat of the Dukes of Norfolk for over 850 years.

Now topped with a stone tower, the mound forms part of a colossal complex that was greatly restored by the 15th Duke in Victorian times.

Useful information

Visit Arundel Castle‘s website for more visitor information.

Castle Sween, Argyll

oldest castle, castle Sween
Strong footwear is recommended when you visit due to the rough terrain. Credit: Getty

Scotland came to castle-building rather later than Norman-dominated England and Wales.

Castle Sween, completed in the late 1100s, is the earliest Scottish castle that can be dated with any sort of reliability. It changed hands numerous times until, in 1647, it was burnt by Royalists led by Alasdair MacColla.

Sadly, its existence is currently imperilled by coastal erosion caused by the climate breakdown.

Useful information

Top tips:

For all visitor information, visit Castle Sween

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