Castles, with their mix of history, glamour and culture, can be a highlight of any European vacation.
But take heed, young families! Trips to castles might sound inherently kid-friendly, especially for little people in the Disney Princesses stage, but they can easily break a cardinal rule of traveling with children: Thou shalt maximize the time kids can spend rambunctiously doing things, and minimize the time they must spend quietly looking at things.
As the mother of two, I have learned the hard way that visits to castles can easily descend into just “looking at things”: spectacular historic architecture and long hallways of priceless objects to be viewed quietly, from a respectful distance. Even my older daughter, who has a long-standing fascination with the Tudors, has limited patience for exploring their residences.
Luckily, a number of castles offer children’s activities that are exciting enough to be attractions all their own — and to serve as a bribe for bearing with the tapestries and throne rooms.
Here are five castles that offer delights for boisterous children and history-loving parents alike.
For Pint-Size Dragon Slayers
Hampton Court Palace, home of Henry VIII, runs family-friendly events, including arts and food festivals and demonstrations of historic cookery in the palace kitchens. This summer, there will be a Peter Rabbit-themed trail in the extensive gardens, which older visitors may recognize as a filming location for shows such as “Bridgerton.”
“We want to ensure everyone has a brilliant and memorable experience at our site, no matter what their age is,” said Rachel Mackay, head of Hampton Court Palace. Children will be particularly delighted by the Magic Garden, an enormous playground with palace-themed equipment including a climbable dragon, a water-play area where kids can cool off, a sandpit and a play structure with crenelated towers.
During weekends and school vacations, a kiosk sells ice cream and snacks. The cafeteria-style Tiltyard Cafe offers more substantial kids’ meals at good prices and options for adults.
Tickets start at 28 pounds (about $37) for adults and 14 pounds for children older than 5; those 4 and younger enter free. Hampton Court is in the borough of Richmond, about 12 miles southwest of central London. Trains from Waterloo to Hampton Court Station take about 35 minutes.
For Pranksters on Hot Days
In Kent, just south of London, is Hever Castle, a childhood home of Anne Boleyn and later a country residence of William Waldorf Astor.
The pièce de résistance of its massive playground is a castle-shaped structure complete with a drawbridge. It’s the size of a four-bedroom house, and full of ladders and tunnels that adventure-minded kids can clamber over, under and through.
When temperatures rise, Hever’s selling point is its water maze, a series of steppingstone paths on a pond. The goal is to reach the central tower while avoiding stones that are booby-trapped to spray water. But observant children soon learn that a well-timed stomp can squirt an unsuspecting parent, which is often a more compelling goal than getting to the tower. Wise adults will bring spare clothes for the entire family.
Tickets for the castle and gardens start at 24.65 pounds for adults and 13.65 pounds for children, if prebooked. A family ticket for four, with at least two children, costs 64.50 pounds. Children younger than 5 are free. Hever Castle is about 30 miles south of London. Trains from London Bridge station to Hever take about 45 minutes and usually cost 16 pounds to 25 pounds.
For Knights-in-Training
On the other side of the English Channel lies Château de Bridoire, in France’s Dordogne region. The 900-year-old castle had fallen into disrepair before it was bought by its current owners in 2011, but after a renovation is now the Castle of Games, offering youth activities throughout July and August.
Children can try on dresses in a session hosted by a “princess,” take sword-fighting lessons with a “knight,” and play roughly 100 different games inside the castle and throughout its grounds, including board games, lawn games and more esoteric offerings like a “tower of riddles” and dueling in the cellars.
The whole family can enjoy the labyrinth, a puzzle-filled route through a wood. There is an “enchanted forest” course for those 3 years old and up, while the more challenging “forgotten citadel” course is for ages 8 and up.
Tickets for those 13 or older start at 14.50 euros (approximately $16.50) during summer, 12.50 euros for children 7 to 12 years old and 10.50 euros for children 4 to 6 years old. Labyrinth tickets can be added on to castle entry for a few euros. The castle is approximately 15 minutes by car from Bergerac airport, which has connections to cities including London; Edinburgh, Scotland; and Brussels. Trains from Bergerac to Paris take about f4 1/2 hours and start at 59 euros one way.
For Aspiring Wizards
Harry Potter fans will recognize Alnwick castle in Northumberland, in the north of England, from movie scenes showing parts of Hogwarts and its quidditch pitch. The castle and its surrounding gardens are the home of the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland, who have invested heavily in family activities and entertainment. Costumed guides offer “broomstick training” sessions in the same spot where Harry learned to ride his Firebolt. (Free with castle entry, but must be prebooked.)
In the Alnwick garden stands Lilidorei, billed as the world’s largest play structure. The 26-meter-high maze features towers, passageways, slides and swings, and costumed attendants work to make the experience seem magical.
Families with younger children may want to exercise caution, however: The slides are high and the walls block sightlines, making it difficult to see kids from the ground. If children become scared or stuck, it can take awhile for grown-ups to climb up to them.
Next to Lilidorei is the Treehouse restaurant, a midair establishment nestled in the treetops. Its kids’ menu has main courses for 7 pounds, but adult fare can be pricey. The coffee shop outside the restaurant offers a similar treetop experience with less waiting and lower prices.
Tickets for Lilidorei, which include entry to the garden but not the castle, start at 21.45 pounds per adult and 17.60 pounds per child ages 3 to 16. Children younger than 3 are free. Tickets to the castle start at 21.55 pounds per adult and 11.35 pounds per child ages 5 to 16, children 4 and younger are free. Alnwick castle is about six hours by car from London, and two hours from Edinburgh. The nearest train station is Alnmouth, approximately 4 miles from the castle, with connections available via local buses as well as taxis.
For Crafty Kids and History Buffs
France’s Loire Valley is stuffed with castles, but few of them offer much for children. One exception: Montbazon Fortress, a fortified structure that was once a home to Catherine de Medici and other historical figures.
During summer the castle offers an experience that lies somewhere between a Renaissance fair and a museum. Costumed characters introduce the fortress’ history through demonstrations of medieval occupations, including an herbalist, a stonemason and a master-at-arms who outfits knights for battle. Kids (and parents) can try many of the activities, including several where they can create a handcrafted souvenir. (Those with long flights ahead may find it more practical to make a leather purse with the “saddler” than a clay creation with the “potter.”)
Tickets are 13 euros for adults and 9 euros for children age 5 and older. Some of the interactive workshops charge a small fee, but many are free and do not need to be prebooked. Montbazon train station is approximately half a mile from the fortress. Trains to Tours, the nearest city, take about 24 minutes. Tours has regular trains to Paris, which take approximately two hours. Ryanair, the budget airline, flies to Tours airport from London Stansted.