The programme’s magnificently turreted backdrop is Ardross Castle in the Highlands which, disappointingly for those of us already practising our cloak-swirling, isn’t a hotel. But happily, Britain is not exactly short of alternatives.
In fact, there is an embarrassment of riches, whether it’s a Tudor stronghold where Henry VIII once slept you seek, or a twelfth-century Welsh castle perched high above Pembrokeshire. So, corsets and enormous frocks at the ready: these are five places where you really can spend the night. Whether you decide to go full traitorous is, of course, entirely up to you.
Glenapp Castle, Ayrshire
Best For: Living Out Your Traitors Fantasy
If what you really want is to go the full Claudia, Glenapp is pretty hard to beat. One of the newer prospects, it was built in 1870 to designs by architect David Bryce, a turreted Scottish Baronial pile that sits amid woodland and gardens on the Ayrshire coast, its sandstone battlements looking theatrical against the surrounding landscape. Inside, there are just 17 individually designed castle suites, many with sea views and fireplaces, plus the spectacular four-bedroom Castle Penthouse, complete with library, media room, period kitchen and access to a rooftop terrace. It is all grand staircases, wood panelling, chandeliers and excellent corners in which to whisper your growing suspicions. Book it.
Thornbury Castle Hotel, Gloucestershire
Best For: Tudor Intrigue
Long before plotting and betrayal became the stuff of primetime TV, the Tudors had the genre much sewn up. Thornbury Castle was built in the early sixteenth century by Edward Stafford, Duke of Buckingham, whose considerable wealth and ambition ultimately attracted the unwelcome attention of Henry VIII – so unwelcome, in fact, that Stafford was executed for treason in 1521 and the castle passed into royal hands. Henry VIII subsequently stayed here with Anne Boleyn in 1535 – and you can sleep in the very bedchamber they shared. Elsewhere are four-posters, tapestries, mullioned windows, fireplaces and the wonderfully extravagant Catherine of Aragon Tower Suite, reached by 77 steps and furnished with 24-carat gilding. A weekend here should provide sufficient perspective on whatever treachery is unfolding around the Round Table. Book it.
Amberley Castle Sussex, West Sussex
Best For: Medieval Romance
Some castle hotels call for suspension of disbelief. Amberley does not. Hidden in the South Downs, it comes surrounded by ancient walls, with a portcullis and battlements, no less. Once safely inside the fortifications, things are considerably more sybaritic. There are beautiful gardens to wander (in Tudor frocks, of course), roaring fires, fine dining and luxurious bedrooms – in other words, medievalism with excellent linen and no actual medieval privations. When mist settles over the Sussex countryside and the fires are lit inside, it is difficult to imagine a better place to be banished to. Book it.
Inverlochy Castle Hotel, Scottish Highlands
Best For: Highland Grandeur
If watching The Traitors principally leaves you yearning for Scotland rather than subterfuge, head for Inverlochy. Sitting beneath Ben Nevis near Fort William, the nineteenth-century castle has the mountains, loch, sweeping grounds and general air of magnificent isolation that are requisite for a properly escapist Highland weekend. The rooms in the main castle come with all the apposite antiques, rich fabrics and views across the gardens, mountains and water; the grandest suites come with sitting areas and bathrooms from which you can continue admiring the landscape. Queen Victoria visited Inverlochy in 1873 and declared that she had never seen a lovelier or more romantic spot. We are not inclined to argue. Book it.
Roch Castle, Pembrokeshire
Best For: A Castle With A Contemporary Twist
Rising dramatically from a rocky outcrop in Pembrokeshire, Roch castle dates back to the late twelfth century, when it was built as a border stronghold and lookout over St Brides Bay. Today, behind those formidable stone walls, things are unexpectedly sleek. There are just six bedrooms, with historic architecture offset by contemporary furniture and art, while the glass-fronted sunroom high in the castle offers panoramic views towards St Brides Bay and the Preseli Hills. Book the De Rupe room at the top of the castle for maximum turret effect. Small, atmospheric and gloriously removed from everyday life, this is where we'd retreat after a particularly bruising Round Table. Book it.
FAQs: British Castles You Can Stay In
Can you actually stay overnight in a castle in the UK?
Yes. Britain has a surprising number of castles that have been converted into hotels or luxury accommodation, ranging from medieval fortresses to grand nineteenth-century Scottish Baronial castles. Some offer just a handful of bedrooms; others operate as full-service luxury hotels.
What are the best castle hotels in Scotland?
For full Highland drama, Glenapp Castle in Ayrshire and Inverlochy Castle near Fort William are two particularly luxurious choices. Both combine historic architecture and spectacular Scottish scenery with the comforts of a high-end hotel.
Can you stay in a medieval castle in England?
Yes. Amberley Castle in West Sussex sits within 900-year-old walls, while Thornbury Castle in Gloucestershire dates from the Tudor period and once hosted Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn.
Which British castle hotel is best for a romantic weekend?
Amberley Castle is especially atmospheric for couples, thanks to its South Downs setting, historic walls, roaring fires and luxurious bedrooms. Inverlochy Castle and Glenapp Castle also make suitably extravagant romantic escapes.
Can you stay at the castle where <i>The Traitors</i> is filmed?
No. Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands, where the UK versions of The Traitors are filmed, is not a hotel and does not offer individual overnight stays. For a similar dose of turrets, sweeping staircases and Scottish grandeur, Glenapp Castle makes a convincing alternative.
