What is a Celtic Castles Self-Drive Tour?
Have you ever wanted to take an adventure but didn’t know how or where to start? For the explorer in you who wants a bit more structure than simply jetting off somewhere armed with a backpack and a map, our self-drive tours give you the opportunity to stay in multiple castles whilst experiencing a breadth of culture, scenery and activities within a particular country or region.
Do you love discovering new places? In each of Celtic Castles’ tours, there is so much to experience, from the history and beauty of the castle estates themselves, including their vast grounds, to the wider area to which they belong. The self-drive element means you have the freedom to explore as much of the surrounding areas as you like. Perhaps the scenic drive to the next castle is an experience in itself, maybe there is a famous whisky distillery or must-see landmark not far from one of the castles, or a beautiful, historic city within easy reach of your luxurious base.
All our tours can be modified to suit your requirements, or we'll be happy to create a personalised itinerary that fits your needs.
Why choose a self-drive tour?
Whether you are planning some quality time away together or a unique way to celebrate a special birthday or anniversary, a Celtic Castles’ tour will make the most of a destination you already love or that you’ve always wanted to visit.
What you can expect from a Celtic Castles’ tour
Variety is the spice of life, wouldn’t you agree? Our tours, whether tailor-made or one of our ‘Featured Tours’, strike the balance between relaxation and exploration, with a large helping of indulgence along the way. Wherever you go, we’ll make sure there is no shortage of interesting places to visit and things to do.
Opportunities to explore
From visiting bustling cities to meandering around charming villages and peaceful countryside walks, there is no end to the exploration possibilities when you book a self-drive tour.
Sightseeing all around
Discover the natural landmarks on offer within your chosen area, from mountain ranges to national parks to dramatic coastlines.
A dash of culture
Whether it's sampling activities on the castle estates to visiting nearby towns and cities, you have the heritage and traditions of the region at your feet; from museums to castle ruins to whiskey distilleries, to name but a few.
Stay in numerous castles
Every castle has its own story; from its history to its setting, its architecture to its hospitality, a Celtic Castles tour is your opportunity to experience a selection of castles and their uniqueness.
Suggested tours - at a glance...
Take a look at some of the suggested self-drive tours currently available to book throughout the UK and Ireland. From famous landmarks to stunning landscapes; regal histories to 5-star luxury, coastal castles to country-hopping, our tours combine properties that are linked through a theme, so that you can experience something that is of particular interest or appeal. We’ve selected one from each country below to whet your appetite...
Scotland castles tours
One of our bestsellers, the ‘Edinburgh to the Highlands Tour’ combines the feel of a country retreat with a city break, woven together with a thread of rich and dramatic history.
Beginning your trip at Melville Castle, be enchanted by its 12th-century period features and indulgent interiors, making the most of close-by historic capital city Edinburgh and its very own must-see famous castle. Spend a night cocooned before the mountainous backdrop of Dalmunzie Castle, being sure to roam the surrounding wild landscape and retreat back to its quiet luxury, roaring fires and indulgent cuisine. Described by Queen Victoria as a place where one could “forget the world”, it sets the scene for stepping back in time at your final destination, Tulloch Castle, which features a secret ancient tunnel amongst other delights. On the way up there stop off at Loch Ness or go dolphin-watching on the Moray Firth.
Ireland castle tours
Home to some incredible scenery and the stuff of legends, here is another favoured destination. The ‘Ireland Town and Country Castle Tour’ is a heady mix of luxury accommodation, beautiful natural surroundings and a wealth of accessible Irish culture.
Start your castle experience with two nights at the enticing Clontarf, a stylish contemporary castle hotel only 15 minutes from Ireland’s capital. Sample the delights of Dublin’s cultural quarter - Temple Bar District - and wander in and around the iconic St Stephen’s Green. Your trip to Ireland will be made even more refreshing with a visit to the Guinness Storehouse!
The next stop is Wilton Castle ensconced in the lush rolling countryside of County Wexford and exuding a warm Irish hospitality throughout its bright and beautifully-decorated characterful rooms. A short drive will take you to the charming, historical coastal town of Wexford; a maze of Medieval lanes and home to the iconic ruins of Tintern Abbey, its delightfully-restored walled gardens and a secluded hidden beach.
England castle tours
Should your sights be set on British history, the ‘Henry VIII Tudor Castle Tour’ features two imperial English castles and their links to the infamous king with a large dose of natural beauty to explore in between.
Beginning your journey at Amberley Castle, there is an option to stay in the room where Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn once slept! Striking architecture and stunning landscaped grounds will enthral over afternoon tea whilst regal interiors reveal a fascinating heritage. The grand estate is within easy distance of London opening up ample sightseeing possibilities from Buckingham Palace to the Tower of London.
Driving through the beautiful Cotswolds will capture your imagination further and take you back in time once again, but now to Thornbury Castle, brimming with Tudor opulence at every turn. You could happily stay on the estate meandering the refined gardens and playing croquet on the lawn, but do make the most of being within an hour from the historic city of Bath and the beloved spa town of Cheltenham.
Wales castle tours
The ‘Wales, England, Scotland Castle Tour’ lets you experience three counties and four castles in just one trip.
Starting in the mountainous Welsh landscape, you’ll spend two nights beneath the chimneys and turrets of Château Rhianfa, home to bountiful gardens and views across the Menai Strait. From your luxurious base you can easily explore the Isle of Anglesey, climb Mount Snowden or visit the traditional seaside town of Llandudno. Nineteenth-century Augill Castle in England then beckons with its dramatic Pennines’ backdrop and serene Yorkshire Dales’ views. Its unique features and colourful décor could inspire a drive to the famous Lake District; home to Beatrix Potter, breath-taking scenery and exhilarating walks.
En route to the magnificent Lumley Castle, stop off at the World Heritage Site, Hadrian’s Wall, or the Cathedral City of Durham. Over 600 years old, this castle is renowned for its generous hospitality and creative cuisine offering. Take the coastal route to your final castle, Traquair, stopping at Holy Island and Lindisfarne, before arriving in Scotland. This is the oldest inhabited castle in the country with its namesake town offering an array of attractions too. The Royal Mile and Scotland’s capital city Edinburgh are sure high ways to end this wonderfully-multifarious tour across the UK.
Create your own tour
Your personalised tour, your way!
Take a good look at the wonderful array of castles we have in our tours' portfolio. We are delighted to give you the opportunity to create your own personalised castle tour. Perhaps you’ve had a browse already and have spotted a castle you are simply desperate to stay in, or a country landmark you are determined to factor into your tour. You can tailor-make every part of your tour to suit you. So much scope, so many castles...
Celtic Castles can offer you a lot of flexibility when it comes to designing your own tour across your chosen destination. From the wild Highlands to the scenic Pembrokeshire coast, our ‘personalised castle tours’ are a Celtic Castles’ speciality and a bestseller in our tours' offering. Build your own castle tour, adding properties to your list that really appeal to you – you can always change your mind, mixing and matching until you get your ideal castle combination.
Flexible and on-hand
Need a little help? Our friendly, dedicated castle team can assist you with creating your personalised tour or you can just leave all the details to us. Not only that, but our professional tour experts create your dream tour completely free of charge.