Although there have been hillforts and defensive enclosures in the UK since around 900BC and the Romans built Hadrian’s Wall with small forts placed at regular intervals, it wasn’t until the Normans arrived in 1066 that the era of stone castle building really began. Since then, over 1,000 stone castles have been built to protect towns, secure strategic locations and project power to subdue restless natives.
These days, you can find these castles in various states of repair, from intact buildings and restored interiors, showing how the rich and powerful lived and exercised control over their domains, to crumbling, moss-covered ruins, now a shadow of their former glory.
For the photographer, that means a wealth of opportunities are available – from capturing the castle within the landscape itself, to ornate
