Photographs of fortified sites and castles of Britain.
|
|
Interactive Map - Historic Sites of Britain
|
|
|
Castles of Britain: A 42 sites |
|
| Castles of Britain: B 132 sites | ||
|
Castles of Britain: C 164 sites |
||
|
Castles of Britain: D-G 145 sites |
||
|
Castles of Britain: H-K 124 sites |
||
|
Castles of Britain: L-O 189 sites |
||
|
Castles of Britain: P-R 103 sites |
||
|
Castles of Britain: S 70 sites |
||
|
Castles of Britain: T-Z 124 sites |
| Oxburgh Hall | 1092 castle sites | Kellie Castle |
The word "castle" derives from the Latin word "castellum", meaning "small fort". It is the diminutive form of "castrum", from which place names ending -chester, -cester, and -caster are derived. So "castle" is used in the names of many Roman and Iron Age fortifications, as well as for medieval defences and later buildings in the style of a medieval castle.
Earlier defensive structures are shown on the maps, divided into Roman and Pre-Roman sites, although "Non-Roman" may be a better description, especially in those regions that the Romans never controlled. These sites are listed separately, and are only included in the castles listings if they were subsequently adapted as medieval defences.
The lists and maps feature defensive structures of many different types and sizes from the Post-Roman period. These include: masonry castles, timber castles, walled towns and cities, palaces, fortified manor houses, pele towers and tower houses, fortified churches and abbeys, motte and bailey castles, bastle houses, artillery fortifications and Martello towers. Also included are mock castles, fantasy castles, castle follies and artificial ruins.
Note that the national flags denote the location of each castle, and not the nation which built or controlled it.