Room for a Knight: Airbnb’s 10 most coveted castles in the UK

A traveler’s vacation home is his castle.

Some of the most coveted Airbnb listings in the UK are fantasy castles. When looking for a different accommodation, it is difficult not to be distracted by the crenellations.

A stay away is a chance to indulge a bit of fantasy, improve your lot in life, and trade places with nobility – if only temporarily. It seems fitting that, as Queen Elizabeth II turns 96 and prepares to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee in June, Airbnb has rounded up her ten most sought-after fortifications that are available to book.

If you’re just looking for room for a knight, you could do worse than book into a fake medieval dungeon.

Carnell House, Ayrshire, Scotland.  Photos / Airbnb
Carnell House, Ayrshire, Scotland. Photos / Airbnb

10. Carnell House, Ayrshire, Scotland

Although a turret isn’t the castle – this stately home comes with exclusive use of an estate that would make Bridgerton blush.

With 10 bedrooms and bathrooms, the historic Carnell House, set on 2,000 acres, is “perfect for special celebrations.”

Wedding and party guests gushed about host Adrienne and her staff, writing, “She makes the beautiful, sprawling grounds feel like home.”

From $4745 per night, two night minimum stay

Pentillie Castle on the borders of Cornwall and Devon.  Photos / Airbnb
Pentillie Castle on the borders of Cornwall and Devon. Photos / Airbnb

9. Pentillie Castle, Cornwall, England

With eleven ‘individually styled bedrooms with spectacular views’, the castle on the banks of the River Tamar and on the Cornish/Devon border sits in an area of ​​’outstanding natural beauty’.

The castle in the southwest of England even has a heated pool, for guests to swim in.

From $4290 per night

minimum stay two nights.

Kinnettles Mansion in Fife is a mini Downton Abbey.  Photos / Airbnb
Kinnettles Mansion in Fife is a mini Downton Abbey. Photos / Airbnb

8. Kinnettles Manor, Fife, Scotland

Kinnettles could be a mini Downton Abbey with its perfectly proportioned tower and leafy driveway. A five-minute drive from St Andrews, the Fifeshire stronghold is an elegant setting for a party.

“Everything about Kinnettles Mansion is awe-inspiring, from the grand driveway to the magnificent ballroom,” read one review.

From $1733 per night

Theatrical Yannon Towers in Teignmouth is a classic seaside sandcastle. Photos/Airbnb
Theatrical Yannon Towers in Teignmouth is a classic seaside sandcastle. Photos/Airbnb

7. Yannon Towers, Teignmouth, England

Up the road from the Torquay home of master of murder mysteries Agatha Christie, the Victorian mansion could be the setting for a thriller. Theater house guests need not suspect the butler, as the list is independent.

The exquisitely featured wallpaper and vaulted ceilings are more modern than medieval. Sea views, just 5 minutes from the beach – this is the ultimate sandcastle stay.

From $575 per night

Craster Tower dates back to the Normans.  Photos / Airbnb
Craster Tower dates back to the Normans. Photos / Airbnb

6. Craster Tower, Northumberland, England

The North Pile countryside can be read as a collage of different time periods as the elegant stone facade grows out of the castle walls.

According to hosts Fiona and Michael, the original foundations date back to the 1100s, when the Normans arrived to “subdue the North”.

The gatehouse on the way to Craster Tower.  Photos / Airbnb
The gatehouse on the way to Craster Tower. Photos / Airbnb

One satisfied reviewer said it was “a truly historic building, so spacious and extremely comfortable for all generations. The location is perfect for exploring Northumberland and a perfect oasis to return to.

From $480 per night

Redguantlet has nothing on Blackcraig Castle.  Photos / Airbnb
Redguantlet has nothing on Blackcraig Castle. Photos / Airbnb

5. Blackcraig Castle, Perthshire, Scotland

Straight out of Sir Walter Scott, Blackcraig could be the setting for Redgaunlet or one of Scotland’s page-turners. The castle too is a Victorian fantasy. Built in the 19th century, it may be the new chateau on the block, but it has plenty of more contemporary conveniences to boast. Visitors describe the Blackcraig as “charming” and “unique”.

Since $280 per night

Pink Palace: Thornton Castle in Aberdeenshire.  Photos / Airbnb
Pink Palace: Thornton Castle in Aberdeenshire. Photos / Airbnb

4. Thornton Castle, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Thornton Castle’s picturesque Pink Tower is available to hire for travelers with a taste for highlife. With two bedrooms, tucked away in a private wing of the chateau, it’s an escape not far from the picturesque beach of St Cyrus and Montrose.

From $299 per night

Kilmartin Castle is straight out of Outlander.  Photos / Airbnb
Kilmartin Castle is straight out of Outlander. Photos / Airbnb

3. Kilmartin Castle, Argyll and Bute, Scotland

Bronze seats go to Argyll Royal Castle from Kilmartin. The 16th century dungeon on the west coast of the Scottish Highlands will attract fans of the Outlander television series.

The tartan chambers of Kilmartin Castle.  Photos / Airbnb
The tartan chambers of Kilmartin Castle. Photos / Airbnb

From $3466 per night

Barns Tower in the Scottish Borders.  Photos / Airbnb
Barns Tower in the Scottish Borders. Photos / Airbnb

2. Barns Tower, Peebles, Scotland

Second on the palaces wish list is the real McCoy on the Tweed border. Straddling hundreds of years of bloody history and Anglo-Scottish borders, you wouldn’t be surprised to learn that Barns Tower has a strange ghost.

The mezzanine bedroom at the top of Barns Tower, Peebles.  Photos / Airbnb
The mezzanine bedroom at the top of Barns Tower, Peebles. Photos / Airbnb

Described as an “authentic medieval mini castle with roaring log fires”, it’s a delightfully affordable fantasy.

From $260 per night

Dairsie Castle, Fife.  Photos / Airbnb
Dairsie Castle, Fife. Photos / Airbnb

1. Dairsie Castle, Fife, Scotland

Dairsie Castle is the most beautiful in the whole country, at least according to Airbnb’s wishlists. The 12th century list is full of castellated charm. A stone’s throw from the university town of St Andrews – where ‘Kate met Wills’ – it’s a fairy tale heap for romantics.

One of the royal bedrooms at Dairsie Castle, Fife.  Photos / Airbnb
One of the royal bedrooms at Dairsie Castle, Fife. Photos / Airbnb

One guest called it ‘the best Airbnb we’ve stayed in’, saying, ‘You’ll be impressed with the castle from the moment you arrive’

“It’s fantastic to see guests enjoying the castle,” host Etsuko said, after learning that Dairsie was at the top of the Airbnb pile.

“It’s such a unique historic building, and it’s wonderful that today it’s still filled with the laughter of families and friends,” he told the Daily Mail.

The gatehouse on the way to Dairsie Castle.  Photos / Airbnb
The gatehouse on the way to Dairsie Castle. Photos / Airbnb

“The listing is located in the perfect location for exploring the nearby town of St. Andrews and the surrounding countryside, and we have found customers who return again and again.”

Starting at $1966 per night.

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