This wasn't really what I had expected when I started it. More of a travel guide for people visiting castles across England, even then it didn't get into the details I had hoped for. Briefly summed up the history of each site/castle but seemed to spend more time on the supernatural stories associated with the site and eerie feelings visitors reported feeling than the history, people and architectural development I had hoped to read about.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Having stayed in Canterbury before covid I immensely enjoyed this book. It was like having a private tour with the best tour guide.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC which I received in return for an honest review.

I love a good ghost story, but that is not what I was expecting here so it kind of threw me off. I was expecting a book about the history of castles in England, from their beginnings up to present day. We get that here, but we also gets tons of stories of mysteries - unsolved murders, deaths of prisoners, executions, and so on.

I was anticipating much more in regards to physical histories and family histories, and there really was so much more that was paranormal. You might think it is weird that I am so hung up on that part, but it's just not what I was looking for from this book, so I think that's why I was honestly kind of annoyed.

The origin of the castle, or castellum in Latin, is so deeply imbedded in the history of England. You can't discuss the country's history without an in-depth focus on these structures. Castles are part of the landscape, and have been for 1,000 years. To not see one is far more strange.

Luckily there are so many to choose from, and whether you prefer crumbling ruins or castles that transport you back to the middle ages into a still-functioning relic of the period, everyone will find some castles of interest here.

Even this review is hard to write and I am struggling with it. The book just wasn't what I expected, and had such a heavy focus on the myths and legends, usually paranormal. I wanted to know more about architecture, builders, etc. I would have also loved more photographs.

Thank you to the author and publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for honest feedback. I absolutely love castles, and I absolutely love England. Therefore, it makes sense that I absolutely love castles in England! This book is perfect for my interests. It helps to have an updated version of this subject. I liked reading through this book and found it educational, clear to read, and entertaining.

A very thorough history of castles across England. My only complaint was that there were no maps, pictures of diagrams. It is possible the published book with contain this information. It was hard to visualize the castles without these graphical aids.

Fascinating look at the many, many castles to be found in England. I had no idea there were so many! I enjoyed reading the histories, the descriptions, and the stories about them. I will definitely be bringing a copy of this book on my next visit!

I was excited to see this book pop up on NetGalley, and it did not disappoint! The sheer number of castles in England can be incredibly overwhelming, and even if you are a dedicated historian, it can be easy to forget which is which. Davis is a skilled writer, and thoroughly covers an incredible number of castles without feeling like a dictionary or an encyclopedia. I particularly loved that local legends and ghost stories were included, as those are often ignored in histories. My only tiny qualm is that there could be more pictures, but I tend to google everything anyways in these cases.

An interesting, informative and well researched book that made me discover new places and could be used as a travel guide.
I like how it's organised per area and the stories it tells.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

A great reference on British castles. I would honestly consider taking this book with me if I decided to visit the UK and tour the castles. I would highly recommend this great and accessible work.

As an Anglophile I was thrilled to be granted my wish for this interesting book on Castles of England. The book is broken down into chapters per location. I love the legends and ghost stories that were included for the individual castles. There were several castles that I had never heard of, with interesting vignettes to whet my appetite for new locations to visit on my next trip to England, If historical architecture is an interest to you, I highly recommend this book. It has individual stories, plus a bibliography and appendixes for quick research and review.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher and author for the chance to read and review this book.

The Castles of England have always evoked a sense of wonder - and of course, their local haunts. Everyone loves a good ghost story - but there is much more to these castles than just ghosts.
The English countryside is steeped in history, and the dotting of castles that dominate the landscape have stories and histories.

This book was amazing, and I absolutely loved reading about all the different castles and stories that are associated with them. The information is not overwhelming, and for those who are not familiar with some of the castles, this is a great starting point for those who are wanting to get a deeper understanding of England, their castles, and history.

I took my time with Castles of England because I just wanted to savor the richness of the historical details provided. I grew up in Europe and have long had a love for and fascination with all castles. Admittedly, when I got this book, I thought there would be more pictures, which would have bumped it up to 5 stars for me. However, the content is so saturated with amazing details and knowledge that I found myself thoroughly enjoying it, even without pictures. It is like a virtual tour with a guide who knows each one intimately. If you are at all a lover of castles, do yourself a favor and get yourself a copy of this treat. You will not be disappointed.

I received a complimentary copy, with thanks, from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are solely my own and freely given.

This book is an informative, interesting history of England’s expansive array of castles. Overall, a great read for English history lovers.

This book strikes me as a labor of love on the part of the author and readers are the richer for it. Castles of England is a pieced together work of history and folklore. The history of medieval castles really is a fascinating one and reading this book as a citizen of a country still in its infancy in comparison to England, I was enthralled with the history in this book.

I would recommend this title to any castle fanatic or lover of medieval history.


My thanks to Pen & Sword and NetGalley for an advance reader copy of this novel. All opinions shared are influenced by nothing other than my own reading experience.

Every castle teems with secrets, some more than others, all of them fascinating whether they are true or legend. In this book the author describes many castles in England, some well known, others less so. The focus is on the people who lived in these castles. As a castle fiend, exploring those intact or ruined gives me such joy as my imagination goes wild as I learn about history and life in that particular region and era. What could be better than engaging all your senses and getting enveloped in curiosity?

The author explains what a castle is. Most were homes and/or strongholds but over the years have also been monasteries, WWII hospitals, schools, hunting lodges. and prisons Some are now hotels and museums. Even those with only one or two walls still standing are atmospheric. Many are achingly beautiful and picturesque, some have spectacular gardens and spellbinding fairytale qualities. Skeletons have been discovered, conjuring up a host of questions and mysteries. The castles are riddled with hauntings, said to be ghosts of those who have mysteries attached to them such as unexplained disappearances or deaths. Not just humans, either.

Of those castles mentioned in this book Tintagel, Arundel, Bodiam and Bamburgh are some of my personal favourites. Their surroundings and mighty character as well as myths are intriguing. Ghosts of cats and dogs, naughty children, a lady in pink, a merman, monks and tricks of light are just some of many eerie sightings people are said to have seen/see at the castles in this book. Not just the seen but the unseen such as screams, thuds, horses' hooves, rattling chains and being watched have been common experiences through history to present. One story which stands out most to me is the young woman who, in a game of hide and seek, hid herself too well.

Castle lovers, do read this riveting book. You will learn a lot of history and insight into life in the medieval period and what each castle is known for including connections with royalty as well as ordinary folk going about their lives, its purpose, construction and surroundings. My only complaint is that though there are many pictures of the castles, there could be more. But then I'm a visual person and looked up those I didn't know about.

My sincere thank you to Pen & Sword and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this remarkable book!

Castles of England by John Paul Davis is a great nonfiction and history of the array of English castles that I loved learning about.

This is a great, streamlined presentation of a vast array of the older and “newer” castles that are present in varying degrees within England. The author effortlessly presents them by way of breaking it all down geographically and within each section not only lists said structures, but also some of the important events and happenings that are associated and how they came to be.

It was great learning a little more about some of these fascinating, often pivotal, and historical structures that truly reflect a history that cannot, and should not, be forgotten.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Pen & Sword for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.