The World’s 100 Best Castles & Fortresses · 2026
The Best Castles & Fortresses in the United Kingdom
13 of the 100 castles in The World’s 100 Best Castles & Fortresses 2026 are in the United Kingdom. The highest placed is Caernarfon Castle in Caernarfon, at number 6 in the world. Dunnottar Castle in Stonehaven (number 7) and Conwy Castle in Conwy (number 11) follow.
Wales
Seven of the thirteen are in Wales. Caernarfon, Conwy and Beaumaris were built for Edward I; Beaumaris was never finished. Caerphilly is surrounded by a lake and has a leaning tower. Raglan is a moated ruin from the 1430s, and Kidwelly and Pembroke are in the south-west.
Scotland
Dunnottar Castle is a ruin on a headland near Stonehaven, reached by a long stepped path. Stirling Castle has restored royal rooms and a Great Hall. Eilean Donan stands on a rock where three sea lochs meet, and Tantallon looks out to Bass Rock.
Northumberland
Bamburgh Castle stands above the beach with views to the Farne Islands and shows its state rooms. Chillingham Castle, inland, has rooms full of antiques, a dungeon and a chapel.
Castles
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N° 6
Caernarfon Castle
Caernarfon
Castle
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N° 7
Dunnottar Castle
Stonehaven
Castle ruin -
N° 11
Conwy Castle
Conwy
Castle -
N° 16
Stirling Castle
Stirling
Castle -
N° 26
Raglan Castle
Raglan
Castle ruin -
N° 37
Bamburgh Castle
Bamburgh
Castle -
N° 38
Beaumaris Castle
Beaumaris
Castle -
N° 46
Caerphilly Castle
Caerphilly
Castle -
N° 47
Kidwelly Castle
Kidwelly
Castle -
N° 48
Eilean Donan Castle
Dornie
Castle -
N° 63
Chillingham Castle
Chillingham
Castle -
N° 68
Pembroke Castle
Pembroke
Castle -
N° 99
Tantallon Castle
North Berwick
Castle ruin