The ‘real-life Rapunzel’s tower’ right here in the UK – with a painful walk to the top
BOTH Germany and Austria are well-known for their fairytale castles, but there are several spots in the UK that also deserve some attention.
Set in Somerset, King Alfred’s Tower was built between 1762 and 1779 by architect Henry Flitcroft.
Despite being named after King Alfred the Great, the tower was actually built to mark King George III’s ascension to the throne, as well as the end of the Seven Years’ War.
The tower’s ties to King Alfred are instead rooted in its location.
The location of the tower is supposedly where the famous Anglo-Saxon king gathered his troops for the Battle of Edington in 878.
It was there that King Alfred, and his army, defeated the Danes, thus saving Anglo-Saxon England from Danish occupation.
In recent years, visitors have dubbed King Alfred’s tower as the real-life Rapunzel tower, with tourists recording their visits to the fairytale-style castle on TikTok.
Tourists have complained about the steep stairs giving them ‘thigh burn,’ but said the views at the top were worth it.
The tower, which is made from more than one million red bricks, has just a staircase inside.
Now a National Trust property, visitors to the 250-year-old tower can climb 205 steps to the top.
Those holidaymakers who’ve made the climb will be able to take in panoramic views across Somerset, Wiltshire and Dorset.
The tower is surrounded by a wildflower meadow, and Roe deer have been spotted in the woods nearby.
King Alfred’s Tower has been praised in online reviews.
One person wrote on TripAdvisor: “Amazing views from the top even on a hazy day. Well worth the thigh burn from the 205 steps.”
Another person added: “Very impressed and lovely spot. We walked to Kings Alfred’s Tower with friends from Stourhead. Quite a walk, but beautiful.”
Entry into the tower costs £6 for a full-paying adult and £3 for a child.
Located on the Stourhead estate, there are plenty of other attractions within the 2,500-acre stretch of countryside, including an ancient woodland and an Iron Age hillfort.
King Alfred’s Tower is an 80-minute drive from Bristol, and it’s a 90-minute drive from Southampton.
There are plenty of other things to do in the area too, including Stourhead – a Palladian house with a landscaped garden.
Other nearby attractions include St Peter’s Pump – a water pump that was first constructed in 1474.
While the water pump was part of St Peter’s Church, it was relocated to Stourhead Park by Henry Hoare in 1768.
There are plenty of other historic buildings across the country with links to the Anglo-Saxons, including Tamworth Castle.
Tamworth Castle
Set in Staffordshire, Tamworth Castle attracts thousands of visitors every year thanks to its long history, family-friendly games, and costume characters.
The Staffordshire castle was once an important seat in Anglo-Saxon England.
From the 7th to the 9th Century, it was at the heart of the kingdom of Mercia in Anglo-Saxon England.
In the 8th century, Aethelflaed, the daughter of King Alfred the Great, and the Lady of the Mercians, lived in the castle.
Today, the castle is open to visitors who can explore 15 different rooms as well as the site’s courtyard.
Here are 10 of the best castles in the UK where you can spend the night.
And one woman revealed how she stayed in an English fairytale castle for just £68 – with a medieval banquet hall & Harry Potter-style rooms.
You can stay in another fairytale castle right next to Alton Towers.
Best staycation locations for 2024
1. Bristol
The arty harbour city was the top spot on the list and is bursting with culture and trendy cafes scattered along the River Avon.
A bubbling hub for creatives, Bristol is the birthplace of street artist Banksy, and you can admire some of his best early works on a free walking tour.
2. Hull
The Humberside port city started to get recognition last year, and it has a thriving nightlife scene – if that’s something you’re after.
The old town is crawling with history and classy buildings, whose walls have many stories to tell and The Deep is a fascinating aquarium attraction.
3. Isles of Scilly
Just off the Cornish coast, it’s easy to see why the archipelago made it into the top three.
Here, you can expect golden sandy beaches where you will be able to spot dolphins beyond the shoreline, as well as seafront pubs serving up hearty grub.