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As an island nation, and at times a pretty warlike one, it should come as no real surprise to find that Britain has some of the finest and most dramatic coastal castles and fortifications in the world. Here are ten of the best selected from the hundreds dotted all around the UK’s coastline.

1. Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland.
Dominating the local coastline, no one could fail to be impressed by this tremendous Norman fortress. Perched on a basalt outcrop above the North Sea, Bamburgh Castle enjoys tremendous views of the lovely Northumberland coastline, the nearby Farne Islands and Holy Island, and the Cheviot Hills.
www.bamburghcastle.com

2. Lindisfarne Castle, Northumberland
You can easily visit both Lindisfarne and Bamburgh on the same day, although the causeway that connects Lindisfarne Island with the mainland is cut off at high tide. Indeed, when the waters of the North Sea swirl around its base the 16th century Tudor fortification is at its most romantic. Converted into a private house in 1903 by Edward Lutyens, Lindisfarne Castle is now owned by the National Trust.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk

3. Scarborough Castle, Yorkshire
Sitting 300 feet above the North Sea, which is gradually eating away at the cliffs beneath, the crumbling red walls of Scarborough Castle date back to 1140. Besieged several times in the Middle Ages and bombarded by German cruisers in 1914, today the castle is a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the beach and promenade.
www.castlexplorer.co.uk

4. Dover Castle, Kent
Thanks to its strategic location at the closest point to mainland Europe, Dover Castle is one of the biggest and most impressive castles in Britain. Dating back to 1180, the castle’s defences were continually improved over the following centuries, and it even served a vital role in the Second World War as a command centre for the Dunkirk evacuations, whilst beneath its foundations was a military hospital.
www.castlexplorer.co.uk

5. St. Michael’s Mount, Cornwall
Set atop an islet just off the mainland, St. Michael’s Mount is an impressive sight along the road to Penzance. It’s cut off at high tide, and is not strictly a castle, but a Benedictine Priory dating back to 1135 – but that’s all semantics, for whichever way you look at it, this is a romantic and impressive site.
www.castlexplorer.co.uk

6. Tintagel Castle, Cornwall
Little remains of this Dark Ages stronghold, but its wild location on the wave bashed coast of North Cornwall and strong associations with King Arthur and Camelot ensure Tintagel has an enduring legacy. The steep climb up to the castle’s remains is worth the effort, especially if you can visit at quieter times of the year and immerse yourself in the site’s Arthurian atmosphere.
www.castlexplorer.co.uk

7. Manorbier Castle, Pembrokeshire
Manorbier’s charm lies much in its delightful location in a sheltered, wooded valley above the beach of the same name. The relatively small and well-preserved Norman fortification dates back to the 12th century, and was the birthplace of renowned medieval historian Gerald of Wales. Enjoy a perfect summer day here with a wander around the castle followed by a stroll down to the beach for a swim.
www.castlexplorer.co.uk

8. Conwy Castle, Gwynedd
One of the most impressive castles in the world (in fact it’s a World Heritage Site), Conwy Castle looms above the Conwy Estuary and so dominates the landscape that it even draws your eyes away from the nearby mountains of Snowdonia. Constructed as one of Edward I’s ‘iron ring’ of castles around North Wales in the late 13th century it’s as awe inspiring now as it was when first built.
www.conwy.com

9. Dunnotar Castle, Aberdeenshire
Few castles are more spectacularly located than Dunnotar, set atop a steep coastal promontory overlooking the North Sea, but even this wild setting didn’t prevent it being captured several times by various armies ranging from the Vikings and the English to a Scots force led by William Wallace. Once home to the Scottish crown jewels, today the castle is a jewel in its own right.
www.castlexplorer.com

10. Carrickfergus Castle, Co. Antrim
The huge bulk of Carrickfergus Castle has dominated the shoreline of Belfast Lough for 800 years, during which time it’s been besieged by Irish, Scots, English and French forces and latterly saw action in World War II. The well-preserved fortifications are well worth a visit both for their history and for the fine views of the surrounding countryside.
www.carrickfergus.org

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