The Walker's Guide to the Castles of Britain
Step into a thousand years of drama, power and legend - one walk at a time.
Britain's castles were built to command landscapes, guard kingdoms and, sometimes, house royalty and armies. The Walker's Guide to the Castles of Britain invites you to experience these extraordinary places the way they were meant to be discovered: on foot, through 60 inspiring walks that bring history vividly to life.
From world-famous icons like St Michael's Mount, Caernarfon and Edinburgh to lesser-known gems such as Kidwelly, Castle Stalker and Orford, each chapter pairs a compelling castle story with a carefully chosen walk that reveals the landscape it once ruled.
You'll uncover:
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Some of the secrets behind each castle's design, from moats and towers to battlements and great halls.
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How these fortresses shaped the land around them, and why some of the best views are found from a distance, not inside the walls.
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Easy-to-follow walking routes, complete with maps and a link to detailed mapping, practical tips and brilliant photography that captures both the castles and the landscapes they command.
Whether you're a seasoned walker or a castle enthusiast, this book turns every outing into an adventure through time. You'll come away not just with miles under your boots, but with a deeper understanding of how these remarkable structures defended borders, displayed power, and shaped Britain's identity.
Inside you'll find:
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60 half-day walks, spread across England, Scotland and Wales and visiting a mixture of well-known castles such as Windsor Castle, Stirling Castle and Harlech Castle, as well as lesser-known delights such as Farleigh Hungerford Castle, Gylen Castle and Llansteffan Castle.
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Indicative mapping, with a link to detailed GPX files that can be used on your phone.
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240 colour photographs.
Author
​​The Walker's Guide to the Castles of Britain was written and photographed by Julia Goodfellow-Smith, an author who has written several walking guidebooks, as well as other titles. Her love of castles started to develop when she met her fanatical husband - they visit castles wherever in the world they are, and however far out of the way they seem!
Specifications
Paperback | 272 pages | 240 colour photos | ISBN: 9781844866465 | Published by Conway, an imprint of Bloomsbury | March 2025
Ebook | 272 pages | 240 colour photos | ISBN: 9781844866472 | Published by Conway, an imprint of Bloomsbury | March 2025
PDF | 272 pages | 240 colour photos | ISBN: 9781844866489 | Published by Conway, an imprint of Bloomsbury | March 2025
Look inside
FAQ
Q: What makes this book different to other walking guidebooks?
A: The Walker's Guide to the Castles of Britain is themed, so each visits a castle. All the walks are designed to take 2-3 hours, giving time to visit the castle as well as enjoy its surroundings. The book is too big to carry with you; use it to plan your walk, take a photo of the page so you have the turn-by-turn directions in your pocket and download the GPX file to use on any mapping app.
Q: Who is this book suitable for - beginners, families or experienced walkers?
A: The routes in The Walker's Guide to the Castles of Britain are designed to take 2-3 hours to walk. They are mainly on countryside paths that can be uneven underfoot. You do not need to be an experienced walker to enjoy these routes, but some have steep sections and stiles - if you read the route summary and description, it will give you a good idea about what to expect on that specific route.
Q: How many walks and castles are included in the book?
A: There are 60 walks and 61 castles - one walk visits two!
Q: Have you walked all the routes in the book?
Yes! I have walked them all. At the time of walking, all paths were open and the routes worked well. However, if you find any obstructions or something that no longer works, please email me and let me know for future editions: julia @ juliags.com
Q: Are the walks short, long, or a mixture of both?
A: All of the walks are designed to take 2-3 hours, to allow time to spend in the castle on the same day if you want to.
Q: Is The Walker's Guide to the Castles of Britain suitable for people who love history but aren't regular walkers?
A: None of the walks require specialist knowledge or experience. Most are low level and on good paths. However, shoes with good grip are usually helpful, and we always recommend a set of waterproofs - this is Britain, after all!
Q: Can I use this book to plan day trips or holidays around British castles?
A: Absolutely! This book is an ideal resource to plan day trips or holidays for people interested in visiting Britain's castles.
Q: Are the routes dog-friendly?
A: Most walks are accessible for people with dogs, although two pass across land where dogs are not permitted, and some have stiles. The walk description gives guidance about surfaces and likely challenges.
Q: What are the best regions in Britain for castle walks?
A: There are excellent examples of castles and superb walks around them all across Britain. This book has a fairly even split of walks in England, Scotland and Wales. They are mostly on the mainland.
Q: Where can I buy the book?
A: You can buy The Walker's Guide to the Castles of Britain anywhere books are sold, or you could ask to borrow it from your local library. I have included links here for different online shops. And if your local bookshop does not have a copy in stock, they will be able to order one for you.
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