10 Best Castles and Ancient Ruins in the Cotswolds

Warwick Castle is a 13th-century castle, with much stonework from the 14th century, that stands tall and sturdy despite suffering a lot of damage over the centuries. The site itself dates back even further to the time of William the Conqueror when he created a fort here in the mid-11th century.

Visiting the castle is easy, as it's open every day except for Christmas. You'll find several ticket options available, so make sure you opt for the right one if you want to see the castle and its dungeon. It's located near the River Avon in Warwick about 30 miles southeast of Birmingham.

Blenheim Palace is an old country house and one of the largest houses in England dating back to the early 18th century. It's a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and sports the rare English Baroque style. It was the birthplace and ancestral home of Winston Churchill.

Visiting this house offers access not only to the palace but also to the park and gardens in the area. In fact, there's a miniature railway system that leads from the house to the gardens. It's located in Woodstock about 10 miles northwest of Oxford.

Oxford Castle & Prison is a notable historic site that offers guided tours both above and below ground granting valuable insight into its long history. The guided tours are conducted by costumed guides to add a more authentic feel to the experience as you learn about Mary Blandy, Empress Matilda and other notable figures.

From the top of the tower in the castle, you can take in some truly stunning views of the surrounding area. The crypt of St George's Chapel has a notably different experience, with an almost claustrophobic atmosphere mimicking its dark past. You'll find it all near the Oxford city centre just south of Gloucester Green.

Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden allows travellers to explore a destination that's been home to significant battles both among soldiers and noble socialites. While the basis of the castle is medieval in origin, a lot of the grounds are more Elizabethan thanks to efforts by Robert Dudley.

Visiting the castle and pristine, well-kept gardens allows you to discover important historical secrets. Visitors can explore the private rooms of Elizabeth I and learn about her romance with Dudley. Plus, the garden has an aviary. It's located about 20 miles southeast of Birmingham.

Broadway Tower is the tallest castle in the entire region with views that stretch for miles over 15 counties from the observation point. The tower dates back to Georgian and Victorian times, and modern efforts to preserve it have been doubled recently, ensuring that this monument will stand tall for the foreseeable future.

Visiting this tower allows you to step back in time and learn all about the fascinating characters that were involved in its history through the onsite multimedia tour. It's located near Middle Hill due south of Birmingham.

Highclere Castle is a Victorian home designed by Sir Charles Barry that houses a variety of art and furniture from the Victorian era within. The architect is particularly impressive, as Barry is the same architect who designed the Houses of Parliament.

Currently the home of the 8th Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, it's better known as the home from 'Downton Abbey'. Tours are available that allow visitors to explore its stunning interior and well-kept surrounding gardens. It's located just south of Newbury about 2 hours west of London.

Sudeley Castle is a picturesque and historically valuable castle that's surrounded by impressive, well-kept gardens that are vibrant and colourful. This castle dates back more than 1,000 years, though much of the current building was constructed far more recently.

When you visit this castle, you can learn all about a variety of historical figures who passed through its halls including Richard III, Elizabeth I and Lady Jane Grey. Additionally, this castle is the burial location of Katherine Parr, Henry VIII's last wife. You can see it all just a few miles northeast of Cheltenham.

National Trust - Snowshill Manor and Garden is a historic home that was occupied by the eccentric architect Charles Wade and houses a wide variety of objects from his life. The manor house dates back to the 16th century. It's mentioned as early as the year 821 when it was gifted to Winchcombe Abbey by King Coenwulf, but no parts from this era have lasted.

Inside the manor, you'll find Wade's odd collection of items with more than 22,000 objects ranging from children's toys to samurai armour. You can see it all for yourself in Snowshill, which is about an hour due south of Birmingham.

Goodrich Castle is a historic Norman concentric castle made from sandstone that dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries, though it's unclear when it took its current shape. While the castle is in a ruined state, what's remaining is remarkably well preserved, showcasing historic English military architecture.

The castle is open to the public, so you can explore inside and take in the breathtaking views from the battlements. Plus, the castle displays quite a few historical artefacts you may be interested in. It's located near the River Wye west of Gloucester and south of Hereford.

Berkeley Castle is a unique piece of history that was built as a defensive fortress in the 12th century only to later be turned into a welcoming family home. A lot of history took place within its walls, including the murder of Edward II, according to legend.

When you visit this castle, you'll find numerous historical artefacts on display along with paintings dating back as far as the 16th century. Despite its darker past, you'll still find breathtaking, well-kept plants and wholesome historic stories about love. See it for yourself near the River Severn about 20 miles southwest of Gloucester.