Castle stays trend in UK and Ireland as luxury travellers live out medieval fantasies
Castles, especially in the United Kingdom and Ireland, increasingly turn to the travel industry for historic preservation. They are being restored and refashioned into luxury hotels and holiday rentals for travellers.
This sustains both their communities and the structures' unique architecture and story.
But why are they becoming more popular? What is behind the trend? And what should travellers know about staying at these historic properties?
Kilmartin Castle, a refurbished property in Scotland, provides guests with a private chef, a vegetable garden and local guides who can take them foraging. Photo: Kilmartin Castle
There are many reasons people want to stay at historic castles instead of traditional hotels, especially in destinations like the United Kingdom.
Through watching historical dramas and travelling with heritage in mind, travellers are inspired by the past and want to immerse themselves in history, admire historic architecture and enjoy peace and quiet in a secluded area away from city life.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
4 days ago
- South China Morning Post
Fire breaks out on Edinburgh landmark Arthur's Seat
A wildfire broke out on Arthur's Seat, the extinct volcano overlooking Scotland's capital Edinburgh, on Sunday, spreading extensively across the landmark which is popular with walkers and tourists and producing smoke visible from miles around. Arthur's Seat is the highest point of Holyrood Park, near Scotland's parliament and the end of Edinburgh's famous Royal Mile. About 250 metres (820ft) above sea level, it is a popular vantage point with visitors for its views of the city. 'Crews are in attendance at a fire in the open at Arthur's Seat, Holyrood Park, Edinburgh,' the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said on social media. Police advised motorists and pedestrians to avoid the area. August is a popular month for tourists in Edinburgh as it hosts the Edinburgh International arts festival and the Fringe comedy festival, as well as tour dates for the reunion of rock band Oasis.
South China Morning Post
06-08-2025
- South China Morning Post
A road trip on Ireland's rugged northern coast, where the food is as good as the views
House martins and swallows are our constant companions, whether snapping up fluttering mayflies in the car park of Glencar Waterfall during a downpour or swooping from the eaves of The Shandon Hotel that overlooks Marble Hill Strand beach in Donegal, where linen-coloured sand slips into grey-green ocean. It might only have celebrated its 10th official birthday in 2024 but Ireland's 2,500km (1,550-mile) Wild Atlantic Highway has been used by generations of these nippy little migratory birds, who fly from the Sahara to spend their summers in the UK and Ireland. The clever things know about Northern Ireland's Causeway Coastal Route too. Aside from the 60-million-year-old natural geometrical marvel that is Giant's Causeway, this 193km stretch of raggedy, bewitching coastline, which starts in Belfast and ends in Derry, often gets lopped off road trips. But no more. A row of multicoloured houses in Whitehead, a seaside town along Northern Ireland's Causeway Coastal Route. Photo: PA/dpa As part of the Shared Island initiative, which 'aims to harness the full potential of the Good Friday Agreement to enhance cooperation, connection and mutual understanding on the island', Tourism Northern Ireland and Fáilte Ireland have teamed up to remind visitors that once you hit the end of the Wild Atlantic Way, the sea has not run its course, the cliffs do not peter out and the Guinness really does not dry up.
South China Morning Post
04-08-2025
- South China Morning Post
UK issues ‘danger to life' warning as Storm Floris batters Scotland with 90mph winds
Authorities in Scotland cancelled trains, closed parks and warned people to tie down garden furniture and trampolines as an unusually strong summer storm toppled trees, felled power lines and disrupted travel across northern Britain. The UK's Meteorological Office on Monday issued an 'amber' wind warning in Scotland for Storm Floris, meaning there is potential risk to lives and property, especially from large waves in coastal areas. Network Rail Scotland said wind gusts of up to 90mph (145kph) had brought down trees across lines and damaged overhead wires. More than 22,000 properties were without electricity, operator Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks said. After reports of mobile homes being blown over on the Isle of Skye off Scotland's northwest coast, police Scotland said that 'anyone with campervans should remain parked in sheltered areas until the wind speed reduces'. The wind and heavy rain hit at the busiest time of year for tourism, with hundreds of thousands of people flocking to the Edinburgh Fringe and other arts festivals.
