9. Lincoln Castle
Lincoln Castle, located in Lincolnshire in the east of England, is a remarkably well-preserved Norman fortress built shortly after the Norman Conquest, on the site of a former Roman fort. Its elevated position above the city provided strategic control of key routes northwards.
The castle features two mottes (earthen defensive towers) – a rare layout in Britain – as well as thick curtain walls and gatehouses that reflect its military origins. Over time, its purpose shifted: it served as a royal stronghold, a prison, and a seat of justice for many centuries.
One of its most significant claims to fame is that it houses one of the few surviving originals of the Magna Carta (1215), displayed in a specially designed exhibition.
Visitors today can walk along the medieval wall-walk, explore the Victorian prison within the grounds, and view interactive exhibits that trace more than 1,000 years of history.