Features

Grand Castle Stays To Make You Feel Like A Traitor!

1 January 2025

A few years ago you may recall that ‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!’ relocated (thanks to Covid travel restrictions) from the Australian jungle to the grounds of Gwrych Castle, a 19th century, Grade I-listed retreat that was once known as ‘The Showpiece of Wales’.

Fast forward four years and now beautiful castles are back in the spotlight again, as one of the most popular current TV shows, BBC’s ‘The Traitors’ is filmed in an atmopsheric 19th Century Scottish castle!

The buzz and hype surrounding the programme in the last week got us thinking about all the many unique castles dotted throughout the UK and Ireland, and how staying in one is more than just a holiday, but a journey through centuries of history and heritage.

So, we’ve pulled together some of our favourite castle escapes, for time-travelling stays that would make perfect settings for budding ‘Traitors’ or ‘Faithfuls’!

Author: Nina Jervis-Green
Main image: Orchardleigh Castle | Somerset

Torrisdale Castle Estate

Campbeltown, Argyll, Argyll and Bute, Scotland

Set on the stunning spine of Kintyre, just footsteps from a private sandy beach and sensational views, is the Torrisdale Castle Estate.

Bedrooms: Varies

Sleeps: Varies

From

£220 /2 nts

Belle Isle Castle and Private Island

Lisbellaw, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland

Gather your favourite people to experience a life of historic luxury, in your very own fairytale castle and private island accommodation set by the sparkling Fermanagh water's edge.

Bedrooms: Varies

Sleeps: Varies

From

£116 / night

The Great Hall, Dollarbeg Castle

Dollarbeg, Clackmannanshire, Scotland

Stay in the stylishly converted, former Great Hall of a 19th century baronial landmark, close to Edinburgh and boasting spectacular views of the Ochil Hills.

Bedrooms: 2

Sleeps: 4

From

£150 / night

The Black Castle

Coolbaun, Tipperary, Ireland

Travel back through time with an ‘over-knight' stay for two in a majestically authentic 16th century Gaelic castle.

Bedrooms: 1

Sleeps: 2

From

£274 / night

Orchardleigh Castle

Frome, Somerset, England

Give your break a touch of regal polish, in a private dog-friendly castle with a scenic outdoor hot tub, set on an historic, 500-acre Somerset estate.

Bedrooms: 8

Sleeps: Up to 24

From

£600 / night

Chateau Rhianfa

Menai Bridge, Anglesey, Wales

Star in your very own fairytale, with a stay in an opulent French-styled setting that overlooks the magical beauty of Snowdonia.

Bedrooms: Varies

Sleeps: Varies

From

£144 / night

Kilmartin Castle

Kilmartin, Argyll and Bute, Scotland

Exclusive rule of an authentic, sustainable, and exquisitely restored castle that dates all the way back to the 16th century, located within Scotland’s most concentrated collection of archaeological sites.

Bedrooms: 5

Sleeps: 10 exclusive

From

£1000

Chillingham Castle

Chillingham, Northumberland, England

Meet the resident ghosts of Britain's ‘most haunted historic castle', surrounded by Northumberland countryside just 20 minutes from the coast.

Bedrooms: 8 apartments

Sleeps: 2-7 per unit (24 total)

From

£126 / night

Castle Hideaway

Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland

Lord over an entire wing in a history-steeped Scottish castle, for a large group holiday with truly regal wow-factor.

Bedrooms: 6

Sleeps: 16

From

£2389 / week

Barbican

Glenarm, County Antrim, Northern Ireland

An impossibly romantic ‘miniature medieval castle' with gothic windows and a stone turret staircase, beautifully located by the Glenarm River in one of Ulster's oldest villages.

Bedrooms: 1

Sleeps: 2

From

£272 (2 nights)

Sham Castle

Acton Burnell, Shropshire, England

A historic, captivating, and luxurious Grade II-listed folly, gently elevated over immaculate landscaped gardens and a shimmering lake in rural Shropshire.

Bedrooms: 3

Sleeps: 4

From

£867 (3 nights)

Scargill Castle

Scargill, Yorkshire, England

Stay in a 15th century Teesdale castle, magically transformed into a sumptuous living space fit for romantic royalty.

Bedrooms: 1

Sleeps: 2

From

£377 (2 nights)

Thirlestane Castle

Lauder, Scottish Borders, Scotland

An exquisite 16th century castle nestled in the heart of the Scottish Borders, Thirlestane is the ultimate castle experience.

Bedrooms: 8

Sleeps: 2-16

From

£230 /night

Carraigin Castle

Headford, County Galway, Ireland

An authentic 13th century manor house taken from the pages of an idyllic fairytale, surrounded by seven rural acres on the shores of one of Ireland's largest lakes.

Bedrooms: 7

Sleeps: Up to 12

From

£195 / night

Chateau Angus Glens

Airlie, Angus, Scotland

Be the kings and queens of a magnificent 18th century fairytale castle, set within a 30,000-acre estate that's in easy reach of both the Cairngorms, and the sweeping coast.

Bedrooms: 9

Sleeps: 18

From

£5,655 (3 nights)

Dalnaglar Castle

Blairgowrie, Perthshire, Scotland

A grand 19th century retreat, spectacularly set within a 200-acre estate in the heart of Glenshee, on the southern fringe of the Cairngorms National Park.

Bedrooms: 10

Sleeps: Up to 20

From

£3,999 (3nt)

Knock Old Castle

Largs, Ayrshire, Scotland

Whisk yourself away to the Ayrshire coast and the magnificent Knock Old Castle for a fairy-tale holiday like no other.

Bedrooms: 4

Sleeps: 8

From

£1879 / week

Château Ribagnac

Ribagnac, Aquitaine, France

An enthralling 16th century castle with sumptuous suites, an al fresco swimming pool, and warmly welcoming hosts, beautifully secluded amongst picture-perfect French countryside.

Bedrooms: Varies

Sleeps:

From

£110 /nt for 2