Real Castles Used as TV and Film Sets

The best way to capture beautiful and realistic scenes for TV shows and films is to shoot on location. Technically, scenes that are taken in locations and structures that are real would always look better, in contrast to those that use green screens. Now that fantasy films are on the rise, castles have been used for filming various scenes. Here are ten castles that are commonly used by filmmakers.

Alnwick Castle, Northumberland, England

Since 1960, the Alnwick Castle has been used as a filming location for various movies, including Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. It has also been featured in various TV shows in Britain, including Rowan Atkinson’s Black Adder and Down Town Abbey. However, it was when the castle was used in three Harry Potter films as the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry that it gained its fame.

Arundel Castle, West Sussex, England

The nearly thousand-year-old castle, Arundel Castle, is a restored castle that serves as the home of the Duchess and Duke of Norfolk. Compared to the Alnwick Castle, Arundel doesn’t have the same level of prestige. Still, it was used as a filming location in several episodes of the Doctor Who series.

Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire County, England

For over 500 years, Belvoir Castle has been the home of the Manners family. It also served as the seat of the Duke of Rutland. The castle is best known for the extensive art pieces it displays. Since 1980, the castle has been featured in a number of TV shows and films, including The Da Vinci Code and Young Sherlock Holmes.

Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland, England

The Bamburgh Castle, owned by the Armstrong family, has been used as a film set since 1920. Notable films that featured the castle include El Cid, Ivanhoe, King Arthur and Robin Hood.

Broughton Castle, Oxfordshire, England

The medieval mansion, Broughton Castle, serves as the residence of the Saye and Seele families. The castle wasn’t really featured that much, but some of the notable films include The Madness of King George, Shakespeare in Love and Three Men and a Little Lady.

Castle Howard, North Yorkshire, England

Castle Howard is a private residence, owned by the Howard family. It may not be a true castle, but it is quite famous as a TV and film set. The castle’s biggest claim to fame is when it was featured in the film Garfield 2: A Tale of Two Kitties.

Dover Castle¸Kent, England

The Dover Castle is a popular tourist destination owned by English Heritage. Because of the castle’s defensive capabilities, it was once called as “the Key to England.” The castle was featured in the Doctor Who series and the film The Other Boleyn Girl.

Eilean Donan Castle, Loch Duich, Scotland

Since 1940, the Eilean Donan Castle has been used as film and TV sets. It was in the James Bond film, The World Is Not Enough, that the castle became famous. It was even used in the first installment of the Highlander series.

Palace of Versailles, Paris, France

The Palace of Versailles might not be used that much compared to any other castles out there. However, all three films that featured the castle received lots of awards, including, Valmont, Quills and Marie Antoinette.

Raglan Castle, Monmouthshire, Wales

The Raglan Castle was only featured in a few projects, but they are all notable. The castle was featured in films like Time Bandits and The Song Remains the Same and the TV series, Merlin. and thoes were a list of castles used on tv