Located on the Isle of Skye, Armadale Castle is really a mansion, not a true fortress. The castle was built in 1815 for Lord MacDonald of Sleat. Clan Donald has a history stretching back 1300 years. It is a history of fighting and diplomacy, of governing, of clearances, of triumph and of defeat. The Museum of the Isles tells this history of the Headship of the Gael.

It's a large castellated mansion, dominated by a tall turreted and battlemented tower, and was built for Prince Albert, consort of Queen Victoria, in 1855. The castle became their holiday home, and it is still often used by the royal family. Robert II had a hunting seat here, but by 1390 a stone castle had been built. The lands were held by the Gordon family, but passed to the Farquharsons of Inverey in 1662. In 1852 Prince Albert bought the estate, and in 1855 had the present mansion built, demolishing the remains of the old castle. Gardens, grounds and exhibitions open to the public.

The first Belvoir Castle was built by William the Conqueror’s standard bearer in the 11th century. The existing Castle was completed in the early 19th century after previous buildings suffered complete or partial destruction during the Wars of the Roses, the Civil War and a major fire in 1816. Home to the Duke of Rutland, the Castle enjoys breathtaking views and houses an impressive collection of period furniture and porcelain, together with paintings by Gainsborough, Reynolds, Holbein and Poussin. Extensive grounds include the Spring Gardens, dating from the 1800s, recently restored by the Duchess of Rutland and now open for pre-booked groups.

Biltmore Estate, located in Asheville, North Carolina, includes America's largest home, acres of gardens, an award-winning winery, fine restaurants, and unique shops.
Built in 1895 by George W. Vanderbilt, the 250-room Biltmore House was inspired by European châteaux. Vanderbilt traveled the world collecting antiques, artwork, and sculpture to fill the home. Guests may view more than 60 rooms, furnished as Vanderbilt intended, on the self-guided visit.
Magnificent gardens, designed by Central Park landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, range from formal to more natural settings. One of the country's finest native azalea collections, an award-winning rose garden, and the outstanding conservatory attract visitors to the gardens.

Bodelwyddan Castle is situated in Denbighshire, North Wales. Set in 260 acres of magnificent parkland, the Castle is now an outstation of the National Portrait Gallery and is open to the public most days throughout the year.
As well as being a historic house and museum, the Castle also boasts large areas of formal garden and natural woodland.

Although Caerhays Castle has the appearance of a Norman stronghold it was built in the 19th century for John Bettesworth Trevanion.
One of the very few Nash built castles still left standing - situated within approximately 60 acres of informal woodland gardens created by J C Williams, who sponsored plant hunting expeditions to China at the turn of the century. Noted for its camellias, magnolias, rhododendrons and oaks.

This eclectic edifice was built between 1856 and 1860 according to the wishes of Archduke Maximilian of Habsburg and planned by Carl Junker. The interior furniture and decorations are genuine period pieces. The extensive park (22 hectares) is located on the seashore and was designed by the Archduke. The cliff it was built on, which had no vegetation whatsoever at the time, was cultivated with numerous tropical species of trees and plants.

At the origin, the property whose marshal Lyautey had inherited consisted of a charming manor from the XVIIth century with a park.
With the assistance of the architect Albert Laprade, marshal Lyautey built between 1920 and 1924 a significant frontage with the tiled roofs inclined, balanced by a small square court. The castle opens on a large romantic park, Marshal Lyautey settled there in 1925 and died there in 1934.

Dunvegan Castle sits on a rocky outcrop, between the sea and several acres of beautifully maintained gardens. The castle consists of a massive 14th-century keep, a 15th-century tower - the Fairy Tower - and a joining hall block from the 17th century. The castle was completely remodelled, with ornamental turrets and modern battlements, in the 19th century.
In medieval times the castle could only be entered from the sea. Today a bridge spans the old moat leading to the castle entrance.

The castle, built in 1870, had fallen into disrepair when Graham and Fay Cowan moved in six years ago. Since then it has been transformed and the first paying guests arrived the spring of 2000. Set in 30 acres of spectacular gardens and woodland just outside Ballantrae on the south Ayrshire coast.

Situated on the Northern tip of the Isle of Mull near Tobermory, Glengorm Castle overlooks the Atlantic and has views over 60 miles out to the Outer Hebrides and Islands of Skye, Rhum and Canna. The Castle was built in 1860 and sits at the headland of Glengorm's vast area of coastline, forestry, lochs and hills. Glengorm truly stands apart from the surrounding Western Isles -already known for its dramatic scenery - due to its tranquility and sheer natural beauty.

Building of the castle began in stone in 1129. Later the large Peel tower was added. After being badly damaged in the Civil War the castle was abandoned, but it was rebuilt as a large house in the middle of the last century.

In the Santa Lucia Mountains of California on a hilltop overlooking the Pacific Ocean, craftsmen labored nearly 28 years to create a magnificent estate of 165 rooms and 127 acres of gardens, terraces, pools and walk ways. Its rooms were furnished with an impressive collection of Spanish and Italian antiques and art. Its name is La Cuesta Encantada.
Better known as Hearst Castle, it was once the home of newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst. Today it is a state Historical Monument, it's richness and beauty preserved by the California park Service.

What the visitor sees today in the Castle and in the surrounding gardens and grounds is the result of the wealth and imagination of William Waldorf Astor, who bought Hever Castle in 1903. It was he who restored the Castle, built the Tudor Village which lies behind it and created the magnificent Gardens and lake.
The Gardens as we see them today were laid out in their entirety between 1904 and 1908. Although the work was completed by 1908, it is only now that the Gardens have reached their full maturity. The Gardens at Hever Castle are a delight at any season of the year, thanks to the care and imagination that went into their planning.

Highcliffe Castle is a Grade I listed building owned by Christchurch Borough Council. It was built between 1831 and 1835 by Lord Stuart de Rothesay. It has been described as "the most important remaining example of the Romantic and Picturesque style of architecture."

One of the most historic sites in Scotland, and the crowning place of Scottish Kings, now a cherished family home, Scone Palace is a place that cannot be missed. The palace was built in the early nineteenth century on the site of an earlier palace. The site is steeped in the mediaeval history of Scotland as from 846 until 1424 it was the coronation site for Scottish monarchs. Scone Palace stands in 100 acres of stylish grounds which in turn are adjacent to 300 acres of beautiful parklands which are host to numerous prestigious events during the year, many with an equestrian or country theme.