The UK’s castle heritage is extraordinary in scale and variety – from intact medieval fortresses to romantic clifftop ruins, from simple Norman mottes to vast palatial strongholds built across centuries. Exploring castles by van is a natural pairing: the flexibility of van travel means you can time your visits for early mornings before crowds arrive and combine castle visits with overnight stops in the surrounding countryside.
England, Scotland and Wales each have distinct castle-building traditions reflecting their different histories. English castles are often associated with Norman conquest and medieval power struggles. Welsh castles include some of the most complete examples of Edwardian castle-building in Europe, constructed by Edward I to control the Welsh. Scottish castles reflect the turbulent history of clan politics, cross-border conflict and later periods of aristocratic wealth.
For van travellers, castles often make natural centres for a wider visit – combining a specific castle stop with a walk from the same location, a nearby town for food and provisions, and an overnight stop that makes the most of the setting. Many of the best castles are in scenic locations that also offer good van overnight options nearby.
The castle posts on this site cover specific castles visited on real van trips – what to see, how to visit, where to stay nearby and what makes each one worth the time.
As the year drew to a close, we set off on a four-day trip up to Scotland, looking for a slow and memorable way to see in the new year. We travelled in a hire car rather than the van this time, which made it an easy trip to plan over a long weekend. The … Read more
Planning a visit to Edinburgh Castle? Clear, practical guide covering what to expect, timing, crowds, access, and how to make the most of your visit.