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Chirk Castle is a picture-book medieval fortress as well as a sumptuous home, with wonderful gardens and a spectacular wrought-iron entrance gate. Roger Mortimer, Marcher Lord, began the castle in 1295 as one of King Edward I's chain of castles along the Welsh/English border. Since 1595 until 1981, it was owned by the Myddleton family - who only moved out and sold the rest of the estate in the 21st century.  From 1910-1946, it was leased to Lord Howard de Walden and was scene of lavish entertaining in the 1930s.

Corfe Castle dominates the village of the same name and both are very popular visitor attractions. Originally a Saxon stronghold, the present castle dates from the 11th century and was built in a commanding gap in the hills, guarding the entrance to Purbeck. It became a Royal fortress and has a dark and murderous past! In 1203, King John had 22 knights starved to death there – a hideous crime, even in the medieval England. Corfe Castle is also the supposed location of the murder of the teenage King Edward the Martyr many years before, in 978, allegedly done away with on the orders of his wicked step-mother. During the English Civil War, it was a Royalist stronghold which eventually fell to Parliamentary forces, who 'slighted' (partly demolished) it. This partly explains the ruinous state it is in today. Some believe Corfe was Enid Blyton's inspiration for Kirrin Castle in the 'Famous Five' books.

Deal Castle was built between 1539 and 1540, part of a massive construction programme of forts, blockhouses and other defences ordered by Henry VIII to protect England against possible French invasion. Unlike many castles of the past, these defences were not built for the benefit of an individual, but for the whole realm.  More than 30 forts were eventually built, as well as other fortifications, to new designs.  They were low-lying, to make them harder targets for artillery, and themselves were bristling with guns.  In plan, Deal Castle resembles a Tudor rose: a circular keep from which six semi-circular bastions radiate, all gun platforms, with an outer curtain of a further six semi-circular bastions.  There were openings for 140 guns and the whole thing was surrounded by a moat.  Deal was also designed to work in partnership with neighbouring castles at Sandown and Walmer to protect the Down, a nearby area of sheltered sea between the shore and the treacherous Goodwin Sands.

Deal Castle was besieged in 1648 during the Civil War but, despite its position and Britain’s eventful history, saw no further action itself until a German bomb fell on it during the Second World War.  In the 18th century, the keep’s upper floor was converted to provide comfortable accommodation for the Captain and his family.  Thereafter, though garrisoned at times of national peril, its defensive function was reduced by domestic demands.

The castle was opened to the public in the 1960s and the Tudor defences can be appreciated, as well as the panelled unfurnished rooms of the Captain’s home and interesting exhibitions.  It is an easy level walk of a couple of miles to Walmer Castle.

Dinas Mawr promontory fort is reckoned to date from the Iron Age and was probably the stronghold of a clan leader.  It is situated on the west of the Pencaer Peninsula, generally known as Strumble Head, jutting out into the Irish Sea.  The location is stunning, but not for those of a nervous disposition, especially in bad weather.  Dinas Mawr is accessible along the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path or via a footpath off a minor road.  However, laymen will need to look for evidence of the fort.  A ditch is clearly visible on the headland between what were stone ramparts and traces of at least one hut circle can be made out just inside the ramparts.  Most of Dinas Mawr comprises a towering lump of rock, however, with severely restricted space for settlement to the east and the south of the crag; the top, surely, would have been too inhospitable.  Immediately beyond Dinas Mawr is the islet of Ynys y Ddinas.  Though a good defensive position, there is no fresh water and it is speculated whether the fort had some ceremonial or ritual purpose, for it cannot have been of much long-term use, or in the event of a prolonged siege.

Often described as 'The Key to England', Dover Castle is the largest castle in England and dates from 11th century, though there was probably an Iron Age fort on the site and the complex includes a Roman lighthouse and Saxon church. The fortress was garrisoned until 1958 and offers a unique insight into Britain's history. A medieval court has been recreated inside the Great Tower. Underneath the castle, deep inside the famous White Cliff, are tunnels which date from medieval times. During WW2, these were the HQ for the control of Operation Dynamo, the evacuation of Dunkirk, and there are vivid displays illustrating this. There is an underground hospital to visit too, and a WW1 signal station. Dover Castle has appeared in several film/TV productions, including 'The Other Boleyn Girl' and 'Wolf Hall'.