Home

How Much Is Edinburgh Castle Worth?

Edinburgh Castle sits high above the Scottish capital, providing fabulous views out across the Firth of Forth. Perched on Castle Rock and located at one end of the historic Royal Mile, the castle attracts thousands of visitors every year. In realtor’s terms, the castle occupies a piece of prime real estate, but just how much is Edinburgh Castle worth?

Edinburgh Castle is worth around $1.25 billion (£1 billion). In truth, it is nigh on impossible to place a value on a site that is steeped in so much history. Set across 380,000 square feet high above the city of Edinburgh, you can value the land but not the historical significance.

For many, castles such as Edinburgh are priceless since you can not place a value on the history the site has witnessed. However, land has value, and in this article, I shall look at:

  • How much Edinburgh Castle may be worth on the market
  • How the castle generates income
  • Some of the history and attractions that continue to draw people to its walls
Edinburgh Castle with a blue sky behind it, seen from the road below
Although it is very difficult to ascribe a market value, Edinburgh Castle is likely to be worth over $1billion

A Sizable Plot

Castle Rock has always been a desirable location.

The view of the surrounding area makes it highly suitable as both a military and civil location. The rock cliffs guard much of the approach to the castle, with the Royal Mile the single thoroughfare leading to its gates.

The evidence points to a settlement on this site as far back as the Iron Age. Over the centuries the castle has continued to develop into the huge military fortification we see today.

Edinburgh Castle is one of the largest castles in the UK, as well as one of the oldest fortified sites in Europe.

The castle grounds cover over 380,000 sq ft. In 2022, prime land in central Edinburgh could set you back as much as £700 per sq ft. This equates to a value of £270 million for the square footage of Edinburgh Castle.

However, this can never factor in the history, symbolism, and continued military presence at the castle.

The following footage provides a flavor of the sheer scale of Edinburgh Castle.

Then there is the worth of the views. Edinburgh Castle is perched 443 ft above the city it overlooks.

Anyone who has looked out over the castle battlements can vouch that the views are stunning. The fact that Castle Rock is the remnant of an extinct volcano may still put off a few prospective buyers.

However, it is the volcanic rock that provides its identity and defensive advantages.

Who Owns Edinburgh Castle?

The current owners of Edinburgh Castle are the ministers of the Scottish government, and we assume they have no plans to sell soon. Therefore, placing a worth on the castle involves a good degree of speculation.

The Scottish government has Historic Environment Scotland to manage the day-to-day running of the castle.

For hundreds of years, Edinburgh Castle was a residency of Scottish monarchs.

The last monarch to spend a night there was King Charles I in 1633 before he was crowned King of the Scots at St Giles Cathedral. However, from the 16th century, the castle primarily became a military base and a prison.

While the prisoners have all gone, the castle retains a military presence today. It is also home to the Scottish National War Memorial and regimental museums and exhibitions. The castle still has a governor, a position that was reinstalled in 1935.

However, in 1905 the War Office passed the keys to Edinburgh Castle to the Office of Works. Their role was to ensure the upkeep and maintenance of royal residencies and castles.

The running of the castle was finally passed back to the Scottish government toward the end of the last century. Management of the castle was given to Historic Scotland.

October 2015 saw the founding of Historic Environment Scotland.

This is a public body tasked with looking after Scotland’s historic environmental treasures, including sites like Edinburgh Castle. The castle is the organization’s most visited property.

Edinburgh Castle in the background, with a fountain in the foreground
For hundreds of years, the castle was a residency of Scottish monarchs

Visitor Numbers

Edinburgh Castle remains one of the UK’s leading attractions, a prime reason why the castle is valued so highly.

The castle sits at one end of the Royal Mile, with the Palace of Holyrood at the other end. Between the two sits St. Giles Cathedral. This is the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town and history beckons whichever way you turn.

In 2022, Edinburgh Castle attracted over 1.3 million visitors.

As with all such locations, the castle felt the effects of the Covid pandemic. In 2020, the castle welcomed just over 276,000 people through its gates, an 87% drop off in visitor numbers from the previous year.

Therefore, the 2022 visitor numbers point to the castle rebounding from the pandemic with people keen to get out and explore once more. If we head back before the pandemic to 2019 we get a better picture of the castle’s worth to the area.

That year saw Edinburgh Castle attract 2.2 million visitors.

The 2 million visitors wandering around the castle grounds during the financial year 2017/18 added £14.7 million in income to the coffers of Historic Environment Scotland.

Visitors have a range of tickets to select from including single and family tickets. In 2023, adult administration prices started from £15.50.

The following table shows visitor numbers according to the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions.

YearVisitor Numbers% Change on Previous Year
20221,346,168+218
2021423,866+53
2020276,950-87
20192,201,354+4
20182,111,578+2
20172,063,709+16
20161,778,548+13
20151,568,508+5.9

A Unique Event Setting

The value of Edinburgh Castle is also its unique location for events. You would be hard pushed to find a better location to celebrate a landmark birthday or to hold your wedding reception.

Edinburgh Castle is geared toward staging events, both private and corporate. The regular upkeep and maintenance costs of a place like Edinburgh Castle will not be cheap.

The city of Edinburgh is also known for its festivals and the castle certainly plays its part. Every August the castle esplanade hosts the famous Royal Edinburgh military tattoo.

This spectacular event has been staged each year since 1950 except for a two-year Covid hiatus and brings in crowds from around the world.

Proceeds from the military tattoo go to charities, which can benefit by as much as £1 million from the annual performance. The backdrop of the castle with its looming walls lit for effect shows the castle’s true worth even before you have ventured into the inner wards.

Historic Worth

The historic worth of Edinburgh Castle is priceless. The castle has been the home of Scottish monarchs for centuries as well as an important military fortification. Its strategic worth to invading forces is signaled by the castle having been besieged on 26 occasions.

The castle we see today began to take shape during the 12th century. It did not take long before it came to the attention of the English.

In 1296, Edward I took control of the castle from the Scots and the English were its custodians for the best part of two decades. This was until Thomas Randolph, Earl of Moray, and around thirty of his men helped turf the English out.

In an audacious plan, Randolph and his men scaled the rocky cliffs and went over the walls. The seemingly impregnable side of the castle was breached. Randolph was able to open the castle gates and allow the rest of the Scottish forces into the castle.

Castle ownership would swing back and forth again between the two old enemies during the Wars of Independence.

In 1566, Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to the future King James VI (James I of England) in the castle’s Royal Palace (source). After her forced abdication she fled to England in 1568 only to be imprisoned and ultimately executed.

In 1571, the garrison at Edinburgh Castle declared their support for the deposed Queen, setting in motion the two-year-long Lang siege.

The latter part of the siege was aided and abetted by English troops, who were once again helping besiege Edinburgh Castle. The upshot was that the castle suffered significant damage from the English cannon. The rebuild in the following years shaped the castle we recognize today.

More English Turbulence in Edinburgh

The English Civil War did not bypass Edinburgh Castle. The accession of James VI of Scotland to the English crown saw the 1603 Union of the Crowns.

Charles I was the last monarch to stay at Edinburgh Castle. This was in 1633, and Charles was there for his Scottish coronation. His nemesis Oliver Cromwell, besieged and captured Edinburgh Castle with his New Model Army in December 1650.

The castle’s turbulent days were not done with following the restoration of the monarchy. The initial Jacobite rebellion in 1689 in support of the deposed King James II saw the brief capture of Edinburgh Castle.

Attempts to do likewise during the succeeding rebellions failed. This included one led by Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1745.

As this brief history shows, Edinburgh Castle has witnessed some of the defining moments in Scottish history. It has played host to some of the most famous names in UK history too, even if some of them failed to breach its walls.

In 1822, George IV was the first monarch to visit the castle since Charles I. The royal palace was by then a military garrison and prison.

The Main Attractions

Besides the spectacular views, Edinburgh Castle’s worth to the thousands of visitors it receives each year is how much there is to explore within its walls. The following are five main attractions.

1. Mons Meg

This 6-tonne siege cannon was presented to James II of Scotland in 1457. At the time it was top-of-the-range military hardware and one of the largest of its kind in Europe.

Mons Meg was capable of firing a 150 kg stone over a distance of two miles (source). You did not want to be on the receiving end of this fearsome weapon.

Mons Meg now stands proudly on display near St. Margaret’s Chapel. Staying on the theme of cannons, the daily firing of the one o’clock gun is always worth a watch. Mariners used to set their clocks by the gun and the tradition continues today.

The firing of the gun often puts the frighteners up unsuspecting visitors.

2. The Great Hall

The Great Hall at Edinburgh Castle lives up to its name.

Restored to its medieval glory, it was originally completed in 1511 for James IV. Walk in, look up and take in one of the finest examples of a medieval hammer-beam roof.

This room would have hosted feasts for the royalty and dignitaries of the time. Oliver Cromwell, not being a huge fan of anything connected to monarchy, decided the Great Hall was better served as a military barracks. Before its fine restoration, the hall also served as a hospital.

3. Honors of Scotland

Scotland’s own Crown Jewels are kept in the Crown House at Edinburgh Castle.

They date back as far as the late fifteenth century. This makes them older than the English equivalent, much of which dates to the coronation of Charles II in 1661.

The Honors were removed from the castle to escape Oliver Cromwell’s advancing army. They then did a vanishing act following the Act of Union in 1707.

They were discovered by the famous novelist and poet Sir Walter Scott in 1818, completing a story worthy of the man himself.

4. National War Museum

The National War Museum is a reminder of the castle’s military history. The large collection contains artifacts, letters, paintings, and more depicting Scottish military history and those who served their country.

As well as the National War Museum, there are regimental museums. These detail the history of regiments including the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards. Also within the castle grounds is the poignant National War Memorial, a shrine to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

5. St Margaret’s Chapel

This small chapel is the oldest surviving building in the Scottish capital. It was built on the highest point of Castle Rock in 1130 by King David I in honor of his mother. The castle has been partially destroyed and slighted throughout history, but the chapel was spared.

Today, the chapel is open to all visitors, whereas once upon a time it was the preserve of Scottish monarchs and their families. The chapel underwent a refurbishment in 1993 to commemorate the 900th anniversary of the death of St Margaret.

How Old Are The Crown Jewels? Full Guide To The Main Pieces

The Crown Jewels is a collection of precious royal treasures that are housed in the Jewel House at the Tower of London. The collection contains the Coronation regalia used to crown a new sovereign. The collection has been added to over the centuries, but just how old are the Crown Jewels?

Many of the pieces within the Crown Jewels date back to the coronation of King Charles II in 1661. The Coronation regalia needed replacing having been mostly destroyed during the interregnum. One of the oldest surviving items is the Coronation Spoon which dates back to the 12th century.

Seeing the Crown Jewels is one of the biggest attractions for visitors to the Tower of London. In this article, I shall explore the timeline of the collection and when some of the most famous pieces were made.

The Jewel House in the Tower of London that houses the Crown Jewels

What Are the Crown Jewels?

The Crown Jewels are made up of over 100 items and over 23,000 gemstones. It is a priceless collection of royal treasures that are held in trust by the Crown for the nation.

The collection is passed on from monarch to monarch and is the most complete royal regalia still in existence.

The best-known elements of the Crown Jewels are the Coronation Regalia. This includes the crowns, scepters, and orb presented to a new monarch at the moment of their coronation.

They symbolize the responsibilities of the monarch.

However, the Crown Jewels is a collection that has been added to over the centuries. As well as the more obvious trappings of royalty such as crowns, the collection also contains precious jewels, robes, banqueting plate, christening fonts, state swords, and altar plate.

The Original Crown Jewels

The ceremonial aspect of crowning a new king or queen stretches way back into history.

However, it was Edward the Confessor who started to keep the royal treasures together as royal regalia in the 11th century. These could be seen as the original Crown Jewels.

The treasures were kept at Westminster Abbey before being relocated to the security of the Tower of London in the 14th century. The Tower was better placed to look after this precious and growing collection of royal crowns, jewels, and assorted treasures.

However, with one or two exceptions, the Crown Jewels guarded in the Tower in the 14th century are not the ones we see today. The first Lord Protector, Oliver Cromwell, saw to that.

Lost to History

The period of the interregnum after the English civil war was the low point in the history of the Crown Jewels. They’d had some shaky moments before then.

King John managed to lose some of the jewels while fleeing rebels in 1216. This happened as he tried to cross the Wash, a tidal estuary in East Anglia.

However, after the Royalist defeat in the civil war in the 17th century, the victorious Parliamentarians were on a mission to dispose of anything with royal connections. This included the Crown Jewels which were melted down or sold off.

Five hundred years of royal treasures were gone, including those made for Henry III to replace the jewels lost in the Wash by his father, King John.

It would take the restoration of the monarchy in 1660 before a new collection of Crown Jewels could begin.

The Coronation Spoon

However, one item sacred to the Coronation ceremony did survive Cromwell’s purge of the Crown Jewels. This is the Coronation Spoon, used in the ceremony to anoint the new sovereign with holy oil.

The spoon dates back to the 12th century and is one of the oldest surviving treasures in the royal collection. The first record of the spoon was in 1349 when it was listed in the regalia held at Westminster Abbey.

Even then it was recorded as an item of ‘antique form’ (source).

The reason the Coronation Spoon survived was it avoided the melting pot. The spoon was bought by Clement Kynnersley, who was a member of the royal wardrobe staff for Charles I before the king was deposed and executed.

It is Kynnersley who we must thank for saving this precious antique and returning it to Charles II following the restoration of the monarchy.

A New Set of Crown Jewels

The local goldsmiths and jewelers were put into overdrive to create a new set of Coronation regalia after the restoration of the monarchy in 1660. Robert Vyner was appointed the Royal Goldsmith and was in charge of overseeing the replacement of the lost Crown Jewels.

Much of the Crown Jewels on display at the Tower of London today date from this time.

The following are examples of important pieces made for the coronation of King Charles II in 1661 and still used today.

1. St Edward’s Crown

This crown is only ever worn at the moment a new sovereign is crowned. It is the centerpiece of the coronation ceremony.

The crown weighs a hefty 5lbs (source) and was built to replace the Medieval original melted down following the English civil war. Encrusted with jewels in a gold frame and with a velvet cap, the crown is an iconic representation of monarchy.

2. Sovereign’s Scepter With Cross

Also used at every coronation since 1661, the Scepter With Cross represents temporal power. The Scepter With Cross was given an upgrade in 1911 when the Cullinan I diamond was mounted into the cross.

The additional weight imposed by the 530.2-carat diamond required the scepter to be reinforced to cope.

3. Sovereign’s Orb

The orb is another key symbol at the Coronation. The simple design of the orb surmounted by a jewel-encrusted cross represents the Christian world and a Sovereign’s power derived from God.

The orb weighs 2.9 lbs and is placed in the sovereign’s right hand at the time of investiture.

4. The Ampulla

The Ampulla holds the oil used to anoint the sovereign. Its striking design in the shape of an eagle is based on a 14th-century legend of a similar vessel given to Saint Thomas Beckett by the Virgin Mary.

An opening in the beak of the eagle allows the oil to be poured onto the 12th-century Coronation spoon.

This video explains the anointment of a sovereign.

5. The Spurs

The gold Spurs provide more historical symbolism, representing knighthood.

Although made in 1661 under the watchful eye of Robert Vyner, they were altered in 1820 for the coronation of George IV.

This saw modern textiles and fabrics used to replace the straps and buckles on the spurs.

An Expanding Collection

Ever since Charles II replaced the Crown Jewels lost in the interregnum, succeeding monarchs have added to the collection. New crowns, jewels, plate, and robes would be commissioned for special occasions according to the taste of the monarch of the day.

Below is a table summarizing when significant pieces were made for Royal occasions before being added to the Crown Jewels collection. We shall then look at the dates in more detail.

Crown Jewel PieceDate MadeRoyal Occasion
Mary of Modena’s diadem1685Coronation of James II
Mary II Orb1689Coronation of William III and Mary II
Sword of Offering1820Coronation of George IV
Queen Mary’s Crown1911Coronation of George V
Imperial Crown of India1911Imperial Durbar in India attended by George V
Imperial State Crown1937Coronation of George VI
Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother’s Crown1937Coronation of George VI
Queen Elizabth II armills1953Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II

1685

Early additions were made to the Crown Jewels during the 17th century.

Charles II was not married at the time of his Coronation. Therefore when James II came to the throne in 1685, new Coronation regalia was required for his wife, Mary of Modena. Some poor soul was given just six weeks to prepare Mary of Modena’s diadem in time for the coronation of her husband.

1689

The stakes were raised higher after the Glorious Revolution in 1689 saw the departure of James II. The new joint monarchs were William III and Mary II. Therefore Mary was Queen in her own right and not a Queen Consort.

Her coronation regalia needed to be on par with her husband’s.

While she wore the state crown used by Mary of Modena, Mary II needed a new scepter and orb made for the occasion.

1820

Swords have always played a role in the Coronation ceremony. Three swords survived destruction during the interregnum. The Sword of Offering was added to the Coronation regalia by George IV in 1820.

It forms part of the monarch’s investiture, presented after the anointment. Made by Rundell Bridge & Rundell, the sword is encrusted with diamonds, rubies, and emeralds.

1911

This year saw two notable additions to the Crown Jewels. This commemorated the coronation of George V. A crown was made for the new Queen Mary and featured 2,200 diamonds. She would also wear just the circlet of the crown for the coronation of her son, George VI, in 1937.

Not to be outdone, the King also had a new crown designed for his inauguration ceremony in India in December 1911. This confirmed the king as Emperor of India.

The Imperial Crown of India was made for the occasion and upped the diamond ante by incorporating over 6,000 into the frame of the crown.

1937

The coronation of King George VI saw a replacement Imperial State Crown commissioned. This crown has a heavy workload compared to others.

As well as the crown worn when leaving Westminster Abbey at the end of a coronation, it is also worn for other ceremonies including the State Opening of Parliament.

Take a peek at the Imperial State Crown with Queen Elizabeth II.

Previous versions of the crown remain in the Crown Jewels collection. The 1937 model replaced the one made for Queen Victoria in 1838 and contains some of the most famous jewels in the world.

This includes the St Edward’s sapphire and the Black Prince’s Ruby.

The coronation of George VI also saw the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother’s crown added to the royal regalia. The crown made by the royal goldsmiths Garrard & Co is bejeweled with 2,800 diamonds.

It was worn again at the coronation of the Queen Mother’s daughter, Elizabeth, in 1953.

1953

Talking of which, this is the coronation where we see one of the most recent additions to the Crown Jewels. Armills have been a part of the Coronation ceremony for centuries.

These gold bracelets represent sincerity and wisdom. Queen Elizabeth was presented with new ones for her coronation as a gift from the Commonwealth.

The Gemstones of the Crown Jewels

A lot of focus on the Crown Jewels falls understandably on the crowns and the Coronation regalia. However, the royal collection contains important gemstones. Some of these are mounted on pieces used in royal ceremonies.

Cullinan Diamond

This huge diamond was found in South Africa in 1905. It was cut into 9 major diamonds and 96 smaller stones. The Cullinan I diamond is the second largest in the world and was set into the Sovereigns Scepter with Cross in 1910.

The smaller but no less impressive Cullinan II diamond was incorporated into the Imperial State Crown made in 1937.

St. Edward’s Sapphire

This jewel can also be found on the Imperial State Crown, positioned within the topmost cross. This could be the oldest gem in the collection, as legend has it that the sapphire was in a ring worn by Edward the Confessor.

The gemstone with its lovely blue hue was said to be buried alongside the 12th-century king, before being removed in the following century.

The Black Prince’s Ruby

The importance of the Imperial State Crown will be coming more apparent, as this ruby is also set into the crown. The Black Prince is one of England’s most famous knights and the son of King Edward III.

It is a spinel rather than a ruby, but before 1783, all red gemstones were identified as rubies. Henry V is said to have worn this gemstone in his helmet on his way to victory at Agincourt.

Stuart Sapphire

The Stuart Sapphire is another gemstone fitted into the Imperial State Crown. The 104-carat sapphire is found on the back band of the crown.

The sapphire is thought to belong to Charles II before venturing on quite the journey around Europe. James II fled the country along with the Stuart Sapphire. It was eventually brought back to England by George III in 1807.

Koh-i-Noor

The most controversial of the Crown Jewel gemstones. It was presented to Queen Victoria by the East India Trading Company after they nabbed it as part of the Treaty of Lahore.

It was last set into the 1937 designed Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother’s crown having previously featured on Queen Mary’s crown in 1911.

Beefeaters Uniform – 9 Things To Look Out For

Beefeaters are one of the Tower of London’s most iconic images. They are the colorfully attired Yeoman Warders who have guarded the Tower since Tudor times. Although the role is largely ceremonial today, their distinctive uniforms remain instantly recognizable.

Nine things to look out for with a Beefeater’s uniform are:

  1. Red or blue uniform
  2. The Tudor Rose
  3. ER to CR
  4. The Thistle and Shamrock
  5. The belt
  6. The Beefeater’s hat
  7. Trousers or stockings
  8. The Insignia
  9. The Ravenmaster’s badge

Beefeaters enhance the experience of visiting the Tower of London as guides and fonts of extensive historical knowledge.

In this article, I shall look at the nine distinctive elements of their uniform to look out for.

A beefeater chasing a raven at the Tower of London

What Are Beefeaters?

Beefeaters are the Yeoman Warders who have guarded the Tower of London since Tudor times. They were formed from the Yeoman of the Guard, the personal bodyguard established by Henry VII in 1485 after his victory at Bosworth.

Henry VIII decided the Tower of London needed a permanent force to guard this strategically important site. This was the task given to the Yeoman Warders. The Warders protected the Tower and the precious Crown Jewels, as well as guarding the prisoners held within its walls.

Today, most people will associate the role of the Beefeater as guide to the thousands of visitors who descend on the Tower of London. However, the Warders still have 21 duties to attend to each day.

One of the most famous and traditional events is the Ceremony of the Keys, which oversees the locking of the Tower’s main gates each night. It is one of the oldest rituals of its kind still performed today.

Yeoman Warders have ceremonial duties beyond the Tower walls too, including at the Coronation of a new sovereign.

To be considered as a Yeoman Warder you need to have 22 years of service in the armed forces and reached the rank of Warrant Officer. You will also need to show your long service and good conduct medal.

The official name is the Yeoman Warders of His Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress the Tower of London and Members of the Sovereign’s Body Guard of the Yeoman Guard Extraordinary. Not too much of a surprise then why people tend to stick to the term Beefeaters instead!

Why Beefeaters?

So, where does the term Beefeaters originate?

There is an element of conjecture about this. The most simple offering is that the term is a derivative of an old French word buffetier, meaning waiter or servant.

A part of a Beefeater’s job used to be serving the monarch their meals and ensuring the food was not laced with poison.

The term may also have been coined due to the Yeoman Warders being allowed to eat as much beef as they wished when dining in the presence of the monarch. It is said the Grand Duke of Tuscany commented on this in the 17th century.

The surviving quote has him saying “A very large ration of beef is given to them daily at the court, and they might be called beefeaters.”

9 Things To Look Out For In The Beefeaters Uniform

The red Beefeater uniform with its gold trimmings is known across the world.

Instantly recognizable at state events, the uniform screams tradition.

However, red is not always the color worn by Beefeaters. This and eight further features of a Beefeater’s uniform will be delved into in the following section.

1. Red or Blue Uniform

The Yeoman Warders were formed from the Yeoman of the Guard, the corps that formed the monarch’s bodyguard. The Warders were detailed to guard the Tower, a job they have done for the last 500 years plus.

However, anyone who visits the Tower today will note the absence of the red uniform.

This was not always the case. The Yeoman Warders were soon allowed to don the famous red uniform after their formation. However, today the red and gold will only be brought out for ceremonial duties.

One of these is the ancient daily ritual of the Ceremony of the Keys. Performed every day since the 14th century, the Chief Yeoman Warder locks the main gates in a ceremony that always begins at 9.53 pm on the dot.

Resplendent in red, the Warder hands the keys to the Tower’s resident governor once the gates are locked (source).

The color of the Yeoman Warder’s uniform for everyday duties is blue with red trimmings. This is the uniform the visitors that flock to the Tower will see.

The main role of a Warder is to assist the visitors and help ensure they have an informative and enjoyable time exploring the Tower.

The blue uniform was introduced in 1858 and is seen as more practical and durable for the role of the modern Yeoman Warder. Therefore, your selfie with a Beefeater at the Tower of London will be one with a Warder wearing blue, not the famed red.

The following clip shows both the uniforms worn by Yeoman Warders.

2. The Tudor Rose

The everyday duties blue uniform is more simply adorned than the state dress red uniform. One of the prominent features to note on the state dress worn by Beefeaters is the Tudor rose. This acknowledges the period in which the Yeoman Warders were formed.

Although formed in 1485, it was Henry VIII who decided to leave a permanent detachment of Yeoman Warders at the Tower of London. At this time Henry VIII had set up his main residence at Richmond Palace, before acquiring Hampton Court Palace.

The Tower of London remained a Royal Palace but was better known as a prison from then on. However, the Yeoman Warders retained the Tudor Rose on their state dress uniforms.

3. ER to CR

One part of the uniforms does change from time to time. This follows the death of the reigning monarch. Prominent on both the blue and red uniforms for the best part of the last 70 was the letters ER. These denote Elizabeth Regina. There is also the Roman numeral II between the letters, signifying Queen Elizabeth the Second.

Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the uniform is set to replace ER with CR in 2023. This will denote Charles Rex and will have the numeral III between the letters to signify King Charles III.

A crown sits above the royal cipher on the uniform. This further symbolizes that the Beefeaters have their foundation as a protective corps for the royal household and their palaces.

4. The Thistle and Shamrock

As well as the English Tudor Rose, the state dress of the Beefeater also contains a thistle and shamrock. Therefore, England, Scotland, and Ireland are represented when the state dress is donned on ceremonial occasions.

It is not too difficult to note a missing Welsh emblem.

Henry Tudor who became Henry VII was born at Pembroke Castle in Wales and made great play of his Welsh ancestry on his way to taking the throne.

Although the debate about how Wales fared under Henry VII continues, the Welsh dragon was on his heraldic coat of arms if not on the Beefeaters’ uniform.

5. The Belt

At state ceremonies, the Yeoman Warders are often mistaken for the corps they descended from, the Yeoman of the Guard. The state dress is the same distinctive red with gold trimmings for both the Yeoman Warders and the Yeoman Guards.

The Yeoman of the Guard are the oldest of the sovereign’s bodyguards. Many of their original duties such as guarding the interior of Royal palaces and tasting the sovereign’s food have gone.

They would also take to the battlefield in times of war. Today their role is also primarily ceremonial and like the Warders, their members will have served 22 years in the military.

Both the Yeoman Warders and Guards look the archetypal Beefeater in state dress uniforms. However, one clue to separate them is their belt.

Whereas Yeoman Warders wear a traditional style belt, the Yeoman of the Guard wear a cross-belt that runs diagonally across the front of their red tunic (source).

6. The Beefeater’s Hat

A common misconception is that Beefeaters wear a Bearskin hat. These are the tall fur hats that most of us will recognize as worn by guards such as those outside Buckingham Palace. They are amusingly called caps by the army, although not the idea of a cap most of us have.

Bearskin hats are worn by members of the regiment of foot guards assigned to protect the sovereign. Beefeaters wear a flat hat that is garlanded with bows in the colors of the Union Jack for state dress.

The hat worn for everyday duties at the Tower is less adorned. Visitors to the Tower will see the Yeoman Warders wearing a blue flat hat with red trimmings that matches the color of the rest of their day-to-day uniform.

7. Trousers or Stockings

Once again, there is a difference in garment choice between everyday duty wear and state dress when it comes to the legs. In their role as Tower guides, Yeoman Warders wear blue trousers as a part of their everyday duties uniform.

The more elaborate state dress uniform harks back to the Tudor times.

Therefore, the trousers are dispensed with. In their place are red knee breeches and red stockings, matching the scarlet red tunic. This is the traditional view of the Yeoman Warder.

It is one we imagine the Tower of London guards wearing back in Tudor times when they were first permitted to don the famous uniform.

8. Look for the Insignia

As you would expect, rank still plays a role within the Beefeaters at the Tower of London.

The Chief Yeoman Warden is the person in overall charge. They oversee the management of the Yeoman Warders and play a significant role in the ceremonial duties carried out by the Yeoman Warders.

Being Chief Yeoman Warder is a prestigious role and they will be the ones responsible for meeting visiting royalty.

They will also take part in the Ceremony of the Keys ritual each night that sees the locking and securing of the Tower’s gates.

Chief Yeoman Warder’s number two is the Yeoman Gaoler. There may be no prisoners to look after these days. However, the Yeoman Gaoler plays a prominent role in ceremonies as well as helping with the management of the Yeoman Warders.

To determine rank, look for the insignia on the right arm of the uniform. They are as follows:

RankInsignia
Chief Yeoman WarderFour chevrons with crossed keys set below a crown
Yeoman GaolerFour chevrons with image of White Tower set below a crown
Yeoman ClerkFour chevrons set below a crown
Yeoman Warder SarjeantFour chevrons
Yeoman WarderNo insignia
RavenmasterNo insignia, badge with raven head, three merlons and laurel wreath

9. The Ravenmaster

It may sound like something out of Doctor Who, but the Ravenmaster remains an important position at the Tower of London. Ravens have been at the Tower since the 17th century.

Legend has it that “if the ravens leave the Tower, the kingdom of Britain will fall.” No pressure then!

Today, the ravens are housed in cages in the Wakefield Tower. The cages are open during the day, so the birds are free to roam the Tower grounds and beyond.

There are at least six resident ravens at any given time. Their wings are trimmed slightly to try and prevent them from flying too far away and putting the old legend to the test.

This video explores the Ravenmaster’s job.

The Ravenmaster has regular Yeoman Warder duties to attend as well as looking after the ravens, including ensuring they are fed and housed each night. A look at the uniform will confirm who is the Ravenmaster as they go about their daily duty assisting the visitors to the Tower.

The Ravenmaster wears a badge on the lower right arm of their tunic to signal the position. The role is by appointment and does not represent a rank.

The circular badge has a red background and unsurprisingly depicts a raven’s head in the center. The head is atop three gold merlons with a gold laurel wreath circling the base of the badge.

How Tall Are Castle Walls?

The primary function of a castle wall is protection. Not only must castle walls be sturdy enough to repel projectiles, but they must also be tall enough to make scaling them a difficult objective. Any visitor to a castle will tell you how imposing the looming walls feel as you stand at their base. Therefore, you might wonder how tall are castle walls?

The average height for castle walls is 30 feet. Castle walls evolved with the siege weapons they faced. Medieval castle walls need to be taller to protect against projectiles that could be hurled further and higher. The arrival of the concentric castle design saw two curtain walls, the inner wall taller than the outer wall.

The height of a castle wall varied from castle to castle, with the average being 30 feet. In this article, I shall look at the evolution of the castle wall and why it was so important in the defense of a castle. I will also look at examples of castles that opted to build castle walls higher than the average.

Harlech Castle in Wales
Harlech Castle in Wales, whose walls are around 39 feet high

The Role of the Castle Wall

The castle wall was the crucial first line of defense against any attacking force. Castles were often built to impose a monarch’s or lord’s rule over the local area. They were a symbol of power, used to subjugate a local population and deter future rebellion.

However, they were also primarily defensive structures.

They were designed to withstand attack and subsequent siege. The castle or curtain wall was critical as the first line of defense. Once penetrated, the inner castle was likely to fall rather rapidly.

The walls needed to be sufficiently sturdy to withstand catapulted projectiles. They also needed to be tall enough to make scaling a tough prospect.

They were the boundary walls behind which were the buildings required for everyday castle life. The design of the wall was arguably the most crucial element of castle architecture.

What Is the Average Height of Castle Walls?

On average, castle walls were built to a height of at least 30 feet, although they could be built much higher. The walls at Framlingham Castle in Suffolk are 44 feet tall, while those at Knaresborough Castle in North Yorkshire were 40 feet high.

Stone walls required solid foundations, and the taller the wall the stronger the foundations required. The base of a wall was its most vulnerable point, and this vulnerability could increase with the height of a wall.

Towers and moats helped to protect the base of the wall which was often a blind spot for the castle defenders manning the battlements above.

Therefore, it was about finding the balance between practicality and maximizing defensive capabilities. Stone walls cost money too, and every additional foot delved deeper into the purse of whoever was paying the bill.

This often came back to the locals who ended up paying higher taxes.

A castle wall 30 feet in height was still a significant obstacle for a besieging force. If you could not scale the walls, you needed to bludgeon your way through using a trebuchet.

Undermining the walls to make them topple was another tactic. If all else failed then it became a game of patience, waiting for the castle to run out of food and drink.

The following table provides examples of the heights of several castle walls:

CastleLocationHeight of wall
PortchesterHampshire, England20 ft
BerwickNorthumberland, England30 ft
Chepstow TownMonmouthshire, Wales30 ft
Conwy CastleConwy, Wales30 ft
BeaumarisAnglesey, Wales35 ft
ConisbroughSouth Yorkshire, England35 ft
KnaresboroughNorth Yorkshire, England40 ft
FramlinghamSuffolk44 ft
Conwy Castle with walls around 30 feet high
The imposing Conwy Castle has walls that are 30 feet high

Curtain Walls Were Nothing New

Of course, defensive walls were not invented by medieval castle designers. We can see the evidence in the hill forts dating back to the bronze age.

These forts were sites built on higher land. They used earthen mounds, ditches or wooden palisades to enclose the site (source), usually following the contours of the land.

Ancient Egypt and Rome are further examples of civilizations that saw the benefits of curtain walls. These could be around forts or whole cities, offering protection to those within when aggressors were knocking at the door.

When the Normans built castles across the British Isles to enforce their rule, sturdy castle walls were a must.

The Normans wanted to promote their power and subjugate the locals to the new reality of Norman rule. However, they also needed somewhere to retreat behind in time of rebellion, where they could await relief from a besieging force.

From Wood to Stone

Early medieval castles built their protective walls using timber. This posed the problem of rotting timber in a damp British climate, and therefore the need to frequently replace sections of the wall.

This was inconvenient, potentially pricey, and not ideal if it occurred at the same time as an invading force turned up who spied a weak spot.

There was also the small matter that timber walls were vulnerable to fire. Hence, over time, stone became the go-to material for castle builders.

Stone was stronger, tougher to penetrate with projectiles, and less susceptible to fire. Given the choice of hiding behind a wooden defensive wall or a stone one, there was only one winner.

Stone brought its own challenges. The cost was one, and castles became an indicator of wealth. Yet, heavy stone walls built to 30 feet were apt for subsidence if not built with due care.

Therefore, castle wall design needed to adapt too to build walls that would last the test of time as well as all that a besieging army could throw at it.

The Main Elements of Building a Castle Wall

Once you have found the preferred location for your castle, your chief architect will be taking note of the ground. 30 feet walls made of stone required strong foundations to avoid subsidence and potential collapse.

Ideally, you will dig down to the bedrock, which once leveled out will provide the solid foundations required for the walls.

Unfortunately, life is not always perfect. If you did not hit a suitable layer of bedrock then you needed your workforce to build a suitably wide ditch. This would be filled in with rubble, which could then be compacted and leveled out as you would with bedrock foundations.

Once the foundations were in place the task of building the walls could begin. Building walls 30 feet or higher needed a fair amount of wooden scaffolding consisting of timber poles tied together using rope.

It may not pass today’s health and safety rules, but building regulations were not top of the considerations at this time.

As the height of the walls grew, a system of pulleys and hoists allowed for the necessary materials to be lifted to where they were needed. The stone was quarried as locally as possible. It was then cemented into place using mortar made from kiln-baked lime, and mixed with sand and water.

Castle walls may also flare out at the base. This helped to spread the load of the additional weight required to build higher stone walls.

Adding the Battlements

Once the castle walls reached their designated height the stone is leveled off. This allowed the design to include additional defensive features. These are centered around the battlements which run along the walls between each connecting tower.

Central to the battlements is the crenelated parapet, which has two main features:

  • Merlons – upright extensions of the castle wall, offering a castle defender protection from incoming arrows and crossbow bolts. These sections tended to be at least shoulder height.
  • Crenels – the gaps between the merlons where a castle defender could keep a lookout or fire arrows down at an attacking force. They were spaced out at regular intervals along the parapet.

Opting for Higher Than Average Castle Walls

While castle walls average out at 30 feet tall, there was no rule to say you could not build them higher if so desired. If you had the financial means and the foundations to support them, you could build taller walls to loom over the surrounding country.

Castles were statement buildings. They exuded the power and wealth of their owners. Taller castle walls magnified the imposing nature of this stone ‘beast’. The following are two examples of castles whose walls were at least 10 feet above the average height.

1. Knaresborough Castle

The stone walls at Knaresborough Castle were built to a height of 40 feet.

The castle sits high up on a rocky outcrop in North Yorkshire in England and was a favorite of medieval monarchs. As well as using Knaresborough as his base in the north, King John was particularly fond of its hunting grounds.

However, it was Edward I who rebuilt the castle we see today, including its taller-than-average curtain walls. The castle was important to Edward, the Hammer of the Scots, in his campaigns north of the border. His son Edward II completed the construction during the early part of the 14th century.

Knaresborough is a good example of how advances in weaponry can outpace defensive fortification design. The arrival of more powerful cannons meant tall and thick castle walls could not offer the protection they once did.

In 1644, the Royalist forces holding Knaresborough castle surrendered after the Parliamentary cannons breached part of the curtain wall (source).

Unfortunately for those of us who enjoy visiting castles, most of the curtain wall was taken down four years later. This was to prevent any future use of the castle by the Royalists. However, the grand stone King’s Tower remained and was used as a courthouse and prison.

2. Framlingham Castle

Framlingham upped the ante further by building its castle walls to a height of 44 feet.

These impressive curtain walls connected by 13 towers encircle an inner residence with a rich history. The height and strength of the defensive walls were such that it was felt a stone keep was not required.

Like many castles, the original Norman structure was built from wood. Located in Suffolk, the castle walls that remain today were built in the early part of the thirteenth century.

The original castle was destroyed when its owner, Hugh Bigod, 1st Earl of Norfolk, rebelled against King Henry II in 1273.

Framlingham became center stage in England’s historic royal dramas during the 16th century. It was at Framlingham Castle that Mary I was proclaimed Queen after the death of young Edward VI.

The Duke of Northumberland tried to have his daughter-in-law Lady Jane Grey, a protestant like Edward, proclaimed Queen.

However, the Catholic Mary was determined to claim her right as the legal heir to the throne. She took cover behind the huge walls at Framlingham Castle, a property that formed part of her East Anglian estates. Here she gathered her supporters and it soon became clear that Northumberland’s cause was a lost one.

This video illustrates the sheer scale of Framlingham Castle’s towering walls.

Ongoing Castle Design

Castle designers needed to keep updating their designs to offset advances in siege weaponry. They came up with the concentric castle, seen by many as the peak of medieval castle design. Now you did not have just one castle wall to build, but two.

The inner wall was taller than the outer wall to allow archers to fire over the heads of defenders on the lower wall. As the outer wall needed to average at least 30 feet to act as an effective first line of defense, the taller inner wall could be up to 40 feet in height.

A classic example of a concentric design is Beaumaris Castle on the island of Anglesey in Wales. Designed by the renowned castle builder Master James of St George for Edward I, the taller inner wall was constructed to a height of 35 feet.

The space between the two castle walls was called the ‘death hole’. As the name implies, this is not a spot where a besieging soldier wants to get trapped as you were open to fire from all sides. This was not likely to end well.

However, as we have seen with Knaresborough, the advent of ever more powerful cannons spelled the end for castles as effective defensive military fortifications. However tall and thick you built the walls, the cannons could now bring them down.

How Many Castles in Northumberland? +Top 8 To Visit

The wonderfully diverse landscapes of Northumberland provide a feeling of unspoiled natural beauty. However, this historic old English county’s location has placed it front and center of conflict down the centuries. The result is a paradise for castle lovers, but just how many castles does Northumberland have?

There are over 70 castles dotted around Northumberland (source), the most of any English county. They vary from earthen mounds with remnants of ruins to fully restored medieval fortresses. Some like Alnwick and Bamburgh are still inhabited today.

From Romans, Normans, Vikings, and Scots, the locals in Northumberland have long been in the firing line of invading forces. In this article, I shall look at why the county’s location gave rise to so many castles. I shall then explore a few of the most spectacular and important castles in Northumberland.

Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland
Bamburgh Castle

The Ancient Kingdom of Northumbria

Northumberland is the most northerly of the English counties. It strikes the visitor as a wonderfully tranquil region, ideal for long walks in wild, open spaces.

However, for much of its history, Northumberland has been witness to invasion, raids, and conflict. Romans, Angles, Danes, Scots, and Normans have all left their mark on the region.

The ancient kingdom of Northumbria once covered more land than its modern-day equivalent. Northumbria means land north of Humber, from where the county once stretched up to the Firth of Forth in Scotland.

The one constant in Northumberland’s existence has always been the North Sea on its eastern flank.

Wherever you look you will see reminders of its history. Northumberland hosts the longest stretch of the Roman-built Hadrian’s wall.

This defensive fortification made from stone marked Rome’s northwestern frontier. It was built to defend their forces against attack from the Picts of Scotland.

Whereas the Romans built an impressive 73-mile wall as a defensive fortification, castles would become the fortification of choice.

Why There Are So Many Castles in Northumberland

Northumberland’s location as a border county to Scotland set the grounds for why so many castles were built in this one county. Historic disputes between England and Scotland saw Northumberland often take the brunt of any conflict.

While basic forts had long been used as defensive structures, the Normans took it up another level with their castles. As they extended their influence further north during the 11th century they brought their castles to Northumberland.

However, the rate of castle building intensified significantly in Northumberland from the 14th century.

This resulted from the disputes that began during this time between the English and the Scots. For the next 300 years, the two rivals were at loggerheads, resulting in the Border Wars.

There were frequent skirmishes between English and Scottish forces along the border. The table below lists some of the major battles which took place between the ‘auld enemies’ on Northumberland soil.

BattleDateYear
Otterburn5th August1388
Homildon Hill14th September1402
Yeavering22nd July1415
Flodden9th September1513
Newburn28th August1640

Northumberland was of strategic importance and castles were built to defend the region. The larger and more imposing the fortress, the more powerful the family within.

Historic family names such as the Percys and the Nevilles were among the castle occupiers of Northumberland.

A County of Castles

Not all the castles built in Northumberland have survived.

Yet the 70-plus that remain are a treasure trove of interest to historians and those who just enjoy wandering around these historic sites.

Some of the castles are earthen mounds dotted with the remains of walls long gone. Others may be ruins, but still have significant structures in place.

Some are small fortified tower homes, while the most celebrated are the huge medieval fortress castles that dominate the landscape around them.

The following are eight of the most spectacular or strategically important of Northumberland’s abundance of castles.

1. Bamburgh Castle

Bamburgh Castle is one of the iconic sights of Northumberland. Perched up high, overlooking the sand below and out over the north sea, it is somehow wild, rugged, and romantic all in one.

The location has been a defensive site for thousands of years, with a castle sitting on top of the rocky outcrop for 1,400 years.

Bamburgh Castle was the seat of the Northumbrian kings and withstood raids by Viking forces. However, the castle we recognize today started to take shape under Norman ownership.

It was a strategic outpost, one from where the Normans could launch raids into neighboring Scotland and suppress any northern dissent to their conquest of England.

The castle has held high-value Scottish prisoners within its walls.

However, it also played host to several English monarchs, including Henry III, Edward I, and Edward II. During the Wars of the Roses, Bamburgh became the first castle to fall to gunpowder in England when under attack from Yorkist forces.

Bamburgh later began to fall into disrepair. Today, Bamburgh is owned by the Armstrong family who live in the castle. Over £1 million was spent on its restoration, with the castle open to the public for visits.

This video gives you a virtual tour of the castle’s impressive King’s Hall.

2. Lindisfarne Castle

Just along the coast from Bamburgh is Holy Island, a place of Christian pilgrimage since the seventh century.

Lindisfarne Castle is perched upon a volcanic plug called Beblowe Crag on the island and visiting requires some careful planning. The island is connected to the mainland by a causeway and access is therefore dictated by tide times.

Although the island and its monastery suffered at the hands of the Vikings (source), the castle was not built until the mid-1500s. Its purpose was to house a garrison to help protect against incursion into the north by the Scots. Once the threat lessened, the castle began to fall into disrepair.

In 1901, Edward Hudson, owner of the magazine Country Life, set about renovating the castle into a plush Edwardian country house.

Since 1944, Lindisfarne Castle and its lovely gardens have been looked after by the National Trust.

3. Chillingham Castle

If you like all things paranormal, this is the castle for you. Chillingham Castle is reputed to be the most haunted castle in the country.

The eeriest reported apparition was the ‘blue boy’ who haunted one of the bedrooms. During renovations in the 1920s, a body of a young boy was found on the spot where the ghostly apparition was seen.

Chillingham is a majestic medieval structure built in the 13th century as a stronghold, before becoming a fortified castle by the middle of the 14th century. The castle has seen plenty of military action and was a key strategic fortification during the border wars.

The castle was temporarily in the hands of the Scots in 1513 and was badly damaged during the Pilgrimage of the Grace rebellion in 1536.

Chillingham Castle has always been in the hands of the Grey family. Today’s descendants still use the castle as a residence, living alongside the ghosts.

Chillingham Castle, Northumberland
Chillingham Castle

4. Warkworth Castle

This is another Northumberland fortification that was replaced by a stone castle during the time of the Normans. A dominant structure overlooking the small village of Warkworth, it became the home of the powerful Percy family.

Warkworth Castle is a great example of intricate medieval castle design. The Great Tower was added by Henry Earl, the first earl of Northumberland in the latter part of the 14th century.

Designed in the shape of a cross and decorated with royal sculptures, it was three stories high. Warkworth was a strategic stronghold in the Anglo-Scottish wars. The tower was an ideal lookout point.

In 1922, guardianship of the castle was handed to the Office of Works by the 8th Duke of Northumberland.

It is now maintained and run by English Heritage who stage family events that help bring the castle back to life.

It is also worthwhile strolling the half mile up the river to the Hermitage. This is a private chapel carved into the rock face for the first Earl of Northumberland.

5. Alnwick Castle

We stay with the Percy family, as they also owned the majestic Alnwick Castle.

Indeed, they have been the guardians of the castle for over 800 years. The current Duke of Northumberland has the honor of residing in what is the second-largest inhabited castle in the UK.

Alnwick Castle also had its beginnings in Norman design. Construction started toward the end of the 11th century. Just 30 km from the Scottish border, the castle was built to project Norman power and protect the northern border.

Henry Percy bought the castle in 1309 and set about converting it further into a true border castle stronghold.

If you experience a feeling of Deja vu when you first see Alnwick Castle, you have likely seen a Harry Potter film. The castle was used as a set for the first two Harry Potter films.

The outer bailey is where you saw the young wizard learn the arts of broom flying as well as the rules of Quidditch.

Alnwick Castle has also been used as a location for over 40 TV shows and films, including Downton Abbey.

The following video takes a look at Alnwick Castle as a TV and movie location.

6. Aydon Castle

Aydon Castle is worth a mention as it offers the chance to look around a fairly unaltered 13th–century manor house. The house was originally built without any fortifications by the merchant Robert de Reymes.

However, this changed after the Anglo-Scottish wars broke out.

The castle has not had an easy ride. The Scots burnt the property in 1315 before it was seized by English rebels two years later. Go forward three decades and Aydon Castle was back in the hands of Scottish raiders.

However, since then very few changes have been made to the fortified manor. It offers a great opportunity to see what life was like near the border in the 14th century. This woodland secluded castle contains original features, including a fireplace dating back to the 13th century.

The castle is now understandably classed as a grade I listed building and is looked after by English Heritage.

7. Dunstanburgh Castle

This is another evocative fortress located on the Northumbrian coast. The crumbling towers still manage to awe, sat on a headland with the waves from the North Sea crashing around beneath. Remote and windswept, the castle ruins seem to make it even more atmospheric.

Dunstanburgh Castle was built between 1313 and 1322 by the highly ambitious Earl Thomas of Lancaster. The earl was executed in 1322 after being a major player in a revolt against Edward II.

The castle was again center stage during the War of the Roses when it was twice besieged by Yorkist forces. The Yorkists managed to take the castle, but the castle walls took some significant damage in the meantime.

As is often the case, once the threat of war receded the upkeep of a castle declined. This was so for Dunstanburgh which began to fall into disrepair.

However, the evocative ruins became a subject for the painter JMW Turner after he first visited the site in 1797. Dunstanburgh has continued to attract visitors to this raw setting ever since.

Dunstanburgh Castle, Northumberland
Dunstanburgh Castle

8. Prudhoe Castle

Prudhoe Castle deserves recognition as it was the only castle in Northumberland not to fall into Scottish hands at some point in time. The castle was one of a series built along the River Tyne to prevent a Scottish invasion across the river.

The stone castle was constructed in the 12th century, replacing a previous motte and bailey design. The castle was originally owned by the Anglo-Norman Umfraville family. When their family line died out, the castle was taken over by our old friends the Percys.

The House of Percy rented out Prudhoe Castle. Once the castle stopped being used as a residence in the 17th century, it followed a familiar theme and fell into disrepair.

Fortunately, the 2nd Duke of Northumberland carried out a significant restoration project early in the 19th century. This included building a Georgian mansion within the grounds.

Prudhoe Castle is now maintained by English Heritage. While parts of the walls are incomplete, they are still atmospheric, sheltering the Georgian mansion within.

Windsor Castle Vs Buckingham Palace – 7 Differences + Which Is Better To Visit

If you are visiting London, then a trip to one of the famous royal residences of either Windsor Castle or Buckingham Palace is a must. But which one is better? 

Both Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace are worth visiting, with many things to see and do. But while Buckingham Palace is the most iconic royal home in the heart of London, Windsor Castle, located in Berkshire, has 900 years of British heritage to discover. 

Here we look at some key differences between Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace to help you plan your visit. 

Windsor Castle, Berkshire
Windsor Castle in Berkshire, England, has a rich 900-year history

Windsor Castle Vs Buckingham Palace

The Crown Estate owns both Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, meaning the monarch holds them for the duration of their reign. 

The monarch cannot sell them, nor do their revenues belong to the monarch. 

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace is famous worldwide as the London home of the British monarchy.

It is also a working palace, acting as the administrative headquarters of the Royal Family, with many state occasions and national events held on the grounds.

Approximately 50,000 guests are invited to the palace each year for garden parties, State banquets, lunches, dinners, and receptions.

At Buckingham Palace, the monarch holds a weekly private audience with the British Prime Minister to discuss government matters. 

But with over 800 members of staff residing at the property, Buckingham Palace is like a small town, having its own police station, post office, health clinic, cinema, pool, and many other amenities!

Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle was reputed to be the favorite residence of the late Queen Elizabeth II and is the oldest and largest continually inhabited castle in the world, home to around 150 people.

As well as a residence, Windsor Castle is also a working palace regularly used for ceremonial and State occasions, including state visits from overseas presidents and monarchs. 

The castle is also home to many of the Royal Collection’s greatest treasures, including some of the most important works of art.

St. George’s Chapel is also part of Windsor Castle, which is not only a place of worship for the Royal Family but is also a church that serves the local community. 

Here we look at seven key differences between Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace. 

1. Location

Where is Buckingham Palace?

Conveniently located within the borough of Westminster, in Central London, Buckingham Palace is the most accessible Royal residence to visit.

How Do I get to Buckingham Palace?

The closest Tube stations to Buckingham Palace are Victoria, Green Park, and Hyde Park Corner. 

There are also several bus stops nearby, and for those coming by coach, Victoria Coach Station is just a ten-minute walk away. 

It is also a favorite stop for anyone taking one of the many London sightseeing bus tours.

Where is Windsor Castle?

Windsor Castle is approximately 25 miles (40km) from central London in Windsor, in the county of Berkshire, and is just twelve miles from Heathrow Airport. 

Windsor is a beautiful and historic market town on the River Thames, dominated by the castle. 

How Do I get to Windsor Castle from London?

The easiest way to get to Windsor from London is by taking the direct train from London Waterloo station to Windsor and Eton Riverside.

The train runs every 30 minutes, and the journey is less than an hour. 

You can also take the train from Paddington Station, serviced by the Bakerloo, Circle, District, and Hammersmith and City underground lines, making it easily accessible from any central London location. 

Usually, two to three trains run per hour, and the journey takes approximately 30 minutes, with an easy change at Slough station, before stopping at Windsor Central station.

The Green Line 702 bus service runs an hourly bus service from London and takes one hour and 30 minutes to get to Windsor. 

2. What Attractions are Close to Windsor Castle and Buckingham Place?

There are many major London attractions close to Buckingham Palace.

These include:

  • Hyde Park
  • The Royal Mews
  • Trafalgar Square
  • The National Gallery
  • Westminster Abbey 
  • The Houses of Parliament 
  • St. Paul’s Cathedral 
  • The London Eye Ferris Wheel
  • Churchill War Rooms
  • London Dungeon
  • Boat trip on the River Thames

Other attractions in Windsor include:

  • Windsor Great Park 
  • Legoland 
  • Eton College 
  • Royal Windsor Racecourse
  • Theatre Royal Windsor
  • Windsor and Eton Brewery
  • Frogmore House
  • Dorney Court
  • Windsor Guildhall.

It is also accessible from Windsor to visit Stonehenge, a prehistoric monument on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, and the city of Bath in Somerset, a World Heritage Site famous for its architecture and Roman remains. 

3. History

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace was originally a townhouse built in 1703 for the Duke of Buckingham and known as Buckingham House, hence the name. 

King George III bought Buckingham House for his wife, Queen Charlotte, as a family home in 1761.

It became known as The Queen’s House.

St. James’s Palace was the official royal residence, now home to several members of the Royal Family.

After King George III died in 1820, his son, George VI, ascended the throne. 

As he had grown up in Buckingham House, George wanted to make it the official royal residence, hiring architect John Nash to expand and renovate the building.

Nash designed and built the house into a u-shaped structure, adding west wings and branches to the north and south, with the east wings rebuilt.

However, despite being an architectural masterpiece, George fired Nash from the project for going over budget. 

When William IV ascended the throne, he decided to stay in Clarence House, but when his niece, Victoria assumed the throne, she became the first royal resident of Buckingham Palace. 

It has been the home of the British Monarch and administrative quarters ever since. 

Buckingham Palace, first lived in by Queen Victoria
Queen Victoria was the first monarch to reside in Buckingham Palace, and all subsequent monarchs have made it one of their homes

Windsor Castle

If it’s history you are interested in, then Windsor Castle is for you!

The building of the castle began around 1070 taking 16 years to build.

William the Conqueror chose the site, constructed to guard the western approach to London. 

Its easy access to London and close proximity to a royal hunting forest made it ideal as a royal residence. 

By 1110, Henry I had domestic quarters within the castle, while Henry II converted it into a palace in the late 12th century. 

Henry II gradually replaced the timber castle walls with stone. 

Windsor Castle has been home to thirty-nine monarchs, each making changes to the building. 

Construction of St George’s Chapel began during the 14th century as a royal chapel with many sovereigns buried there.

Queen Elizabeth II moved to Windsor Castle with her sister Margaret during the Second World War for safety reasons. 

The Queen was devastated when a fire broke out in 1992, destroying many parts of the castle, with restoration completed five years later. 

4. Which is bigger? Windsor Castle or Buckingham Palace?

Windsor Castle has over one thousand rooms and three hundred grand fireplaces, a floor area of 484,000 square feet, and spans thirteen acres. 

On the other hand, Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms, but the floor space is 828,818 square feet stretching over thirty-nine acres.

These rooms include 52 royal and guest bedrooms, 78 bathrooms, 188 staff bedrooms, 92 offices, and 19 state rooms. 

5. What Can You Do at Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace?

Here we look at the highlights of both Windsor Castle and Buckingham palace. 

Buckingham Palace

The Grand Staircase

Visitors see the Grand Staircase as they enter Buckingham Palace providing a magnificent welcome to this iconic royal residence.

Queen Victoria put in the staircase in 1898, topped with an etched glass dome and lined with historical portraits of members of the royal family.

The Grand Staircase leads you to the elegant and exciting state rooms. 

The State Rooms

The lavishly decorated state rooms provide the settings for official ceremonial occasions, and you can see some of the greatest treasures from the Royal Collection. 

The staterooms include the Throne Room, the White Drawing Room, the Ballroom, and the Music Room. 

The Picture Gallery

The Picture Gallery houses some of the greatest paintings in the Royal Collection.

You can view paintings from artists like Rembrandt, Titian, and Van Dyck.

The paintings are changed regularly as the King lends many of them to art exhibitions in the UK and around the world. 

The Changing of the Guard

The Changing of the Guard is a must-see of British pageantry whereby one detachment of troops takes over from another with musical accompaniment. 

It takes place, weather permitting, at 11 am on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday and daily during the summer. 

It is free of charge, and you do not need a ticket to watch.

Windsor Castle

State Apartments

The ceremonial rooms are the state apartments the Royal Family uses for official visits.

The most impressive is the Grand Reception Room, with its glittering chandeliers. 

St. George’s Chapel

St George’s Chapel is within the grounds of Windsor Castle and is a fine example of Gothic architecture in England. 

You can see the tombs of eleven monarchs, which include Queen Elizabeth II, George VI, and Henry VIII.

Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House

This incredibly detailed doll’s house, built for Queen Mary in the 1920s, is a unique replica of an aristocratic home and even has running water, electricity, and working lifts. 

It is the most beautiful and largest doll house in the world.

Changing the Guard

If you wish to watch the Changing the Guard without the crowds of Buckingham Palace, then Windsor Castle is a good choice.

The days on which the guard march change monthly, and you must buy an entrance ticket to Windsor Castle to watch the ‘changing’ ceremony. 

To see exactly what’s inside and outside Windsor Castle, check out this video from Ultimate Bucket List:

6. The Gardens

Buckingham Palace

The garden at Buckingham Palace, spread over thirty-nine acres, is the largest private garden in London.

The garden boasts over 1000 trees, 325 wild plant species, and 30 breeding birds.

The lake is the garden’s central feature, created in the 19th century, and is a favorite nesting place for various water birds.

Like the palace, the garden has undergone many changes over the years and plays a vital role in the busy calendar of royal events, especially the Garden Parties.

Windsor Castle

You can view three gardens at Windsor Castle, each with its unique style and history. 

The most recent is the Jubilee Garden, established in 2002 to mark the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II and designed by English landscape architect Tom Stuart-Smith.

The Moat Garden is in what remains of the ditch that encircled the Round Tower and is largely the creation of General Sir Dighton Probyn, who resided at the Norman Tower from 1901 to 1922. 

Lastly, the East Terrace Garden, created for George IV in 1820, provides impressive views of London. 

7. Visiting Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace

Windsor Castle is open to the public from 10 am to 4.15 pm throughout the year but is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. 

You should book your tickets in advance and do your tour after midday when it is quieter, for the best experience.

You can visit St. George’s Chapel every day from 10 am to 4 pm, but it is closed on Sundays for services, which worshippers can join.

Buckingham Palace is only open to visitors between July and October.

Opening times in July and August are from 9.30 am to 5.15 pm and from 9.30 am to 4.15 pm in September and October.

The least expensive tickets provide access to Buckingham Palace and the State Rooms, while the more expensive ones also allow you to visit The Queen’s Gallery and The Royal Mews. 

Windsor Castle
The sprawling vista of Windsor Castle

Should I visit Windsor Castle or Buckingham Palace?

If you are on a short break to London, then Buckingham Palace is the most accessible of the royal residences, ideal for a half-day tour, and is close to many major attractions.

If you have more time, then set aside a day to visit Windsor castle in its beautiful and peaceful setting in Berkshire, a reprise of the hustle and bustle of London!

Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace are full of beauty and history, and both are worth a visit.

So, if you can, fit both royal residences into your itinerary!

Resources

The Fire at Windsor Castle, Royal Collection Trust

Buckingham Palace – The FULL Tour of Queen Elizabeth II’s Royal Residence – London Guide, YouTube Video

Windsor Castle Tour – The Queen’s Royal Residence – England Travel Ideas, YouTube Video