Not as wealthy as royalty? Not a problem. You can still stay in a castle; while some are now luxury havens, others are more modest B&Bs or offer self-catering. Spend a night in a four-poster bed and you’ll feel like a queen or king.
1. Glengorm Castle
Mull, Scotland
This 19th-century castle is set on the Isle of Mull, which offers a dramatic coastline, forests and lochs, and spectacular views of the Atlantic. The castle offers a B&B option. Or guests can rent the flat on the ground floor where they can cook in a kitchen that was once the castle’s vault, using produce from the estate’s market garden and farm, including Highland beef, wild venison and fresh vegetables. From €138 ($190) per night B&B, glengormcastle.co.uk
2. Saddell Castle
Mull of Kintyre, Scotland
This castle dating back to 1508 has a picturesque setting on the edge of Saddell Bay, with views over to the Isle of Arran. Once the home of the majestic Campbell clan, it’s now owned by the Landmark Trust, a charity that preserves and rents out unique historic houses. You can rent the castle, as well as the neighbouring mansion and three cute cottages. For unwelcome guests, remove the floor inside the front door so they drop into the pit below.
From €487 ($672) for 4 nights, landmarktrust.org.uk
3. Amberley Castle
Sussex, England
This 900-year-old castle offers everything you could ask for from a medieval royal fortress: 18-metre walls with crenellated turrets; a twin-tower gatehouse; four-poster beds; tapestries; and heavy antique furniture in the castle’s 19 rooms. From €264 ($364), amberleycastle.co.uk
4. Thornbury Castle
Gloucestershire, England
The famous king Henry VIII and one of his many wives, Anne Boleyn, were once house guests at Thornbury, and nowadays plebians can pay to stay at the only Tudor-age castle in England that’s now a hotel. From €219 ($302), thornburycastle.co.uk
5. Ruthin Castle
Wales
With a history that dates back to 1277, Ruthin Castle has been owned by King Edward I, Henry VIII, Queen Elizabeth I and Charles I. It’s a great place for treks up the Snowdonia mountains and visits to the North Welsh Coast. From €74 ($102), ruthincastle.co.uk
