The Castle Guide – a selection of castles from around the UK

Bradlegh Old Hall

Bradlegh Old Hall sits within a wet moat and is a brick farmhouse that is very much post-medieval. However there was a defended manor here and part of the 15th century gatehouse remains. The drive to the house goes through the old arch. It is not open to the public.

Bradley Hall Wolsingham

Bradley Hall Wolsingham was a small courtyard castle defended by a ditch and serving as a manorial centre. The trapezoidal ditch survives in a field, and some of the farm buidings survive from this period, including a barrel vaulted cellar. Most is post 18th century though.

Braemar Castle

Braemar Castle, a C17 tower house of the Earls of Mar converted to C18 garrison with huge turrets added.

Braes Tower

Braes Tower was in ruins in the 19th century and is neither securely dated, nor its form properly understood, but there was a square tower and a barmkin, but not particularly large. It is in fields far from any public road.

Braikie Castle

Braikie Castle, derelict and ?dangerous C16 tower house of the Frasers which remained roofed into the 20th century

Braithwell Moat Hall

Braithwell Moat Hall is a ruined house dating to the mid 15th century sitting within the remains of a moated platform that now contains a private home as well. It was originally an ecclesiastical grange that was leased out to local lords.

Brampton Motte

Brampton Motte is a large oval-topped hill landscaped in the 19th century with a monument on the top. There are remains of a ditch towards the base, and the whole is set as a public park. Up until the 15th century it was used as a beacon-hill.

Brampton Old Church Farm

Brampton Old Church Farm has an old tower house built into the farmhouse dating back to perhaps the early 14th century when it was used as the vicars residence, but this has been much altered in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Brancepeth Castle

Brancepeth Castle is an impressive courtyard castle extensively remodelled in the 19th century. There are public walks around the outside and access to parts of the courtyard for the public is possible at times.

Branthwaite Hall

Branthwaite Hall is perhaps a 15th century tower house extended several times, including by a 16th century hall. It was derelict until the 1980s, when it was restored, and is now a private residence.

Branxholme Castle

Branxholme Castle, private but unoccupied tower and courtyard of Scotts rebuilt after C16 destruction & remodelled C19

Breachacha Castle

Breachacha Castle, unoccupied C15 tower of the Macleans rebuilt C16, also C18 mansion house extended by the Stewarts

Brechin Castle

Brechin Castle, a C18 mansion of the Maule-Ramsays possibly on site of royal castle dating to at least the C12.

Breckenbrough Castle

Breckenbrough Castle survives only as much denuded earthworks beneath and around a working farm. It appears to have taken the form of two towers with a hall between them and projecting wings flanking a courtyard much like Bolling Hall in Bradford but made of brick.

Brecon Castle

Brecon Castle, ruins of C12-C16 castle of the Braoses incorporated into C19 hotel buildings

Breconside Tower

Breconside Tower, private and much altered C16 tower house of Johnstons extended C17, C18 and C19 - and later remodelled. Now a privately occupied farmhouse.

Bridge Castle

Bridge Castle, privately occupied C16 tower of the Stewarts & Livingstones, extended C17 and C19 by the Hopes

Brierley Hallsteads

Brierley Hallsteads is an unusual site and its status is uncertain. It consists of a circular mound raised above an irregular enclosure formed by damming the confluence of two valleys to create a wet ditch to north west and south - and then putting a barrier earthwork to the east. There may be traces of foundations beneath the grass.

Brigend Castle

Brigend, ruins of C16 tower house overlooking the River Doon. Original name a matter of dispute

Brims Castle

Brims Castle private and unoccupied C16 tower house of the Sinclairs extended C19 and occupied to C20. Dangerous property.

Brochel Castle

Brochel Castle, ruined C15/16 courtyard castle on a rocky stack built for the McLeods of Raasay and abandoned C17

Brodick Castle

Brodick Castle, a C16 tower house of the Hamiltons on the site of earlier castles. National Trust for Scotland.

Brodie Castle

Brodie Castle, extensive mansion built around C16 tower house and possible C15 tower, National Trust for Scotland

Brompton Castle Hill

Brompton Castle Hill is a low ridge overlooking a millpond which may have contained a defended manor of three courtyards judging from the faint earthworks that remain. It does not appear to be publicly accessible.

Bron Felin Motte

Bron Felin Motte, e/w of ditched motte within bailey platform on slopes overlooking river