Castles and historic houses that offer electric vehicle charging

By Danny Morgan

Last updated: Nov 25th 2024

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Britain is well known for its castles and historic houses, with plenty of history to discover, with many playing host to an art exhibition, a tranquil garden and entertaining inspiration that makes them worth a visit time and again.

Many of these places are in remote areas, meaning a car is necessary to get to the location. However, wherever you are in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, there is usually an EV charging point not far away. However, it's worth paying close attention to the details when planning a visit to the scene of this nation's great history.

Which Castles in the UK offer electric car charging?

The seats of power across Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland offer plenty of opportunities to learn about a world far removed from ours, but it's well worth a search of the local region to see just what the EV provision is. Places included on Zap-Map have created a safety net, but it's still worth checking what's on offer. There's also a well-manicured garden to enjoy too.

Drumlanrig Castle

You can find Drumlanrig Castle on the Queensberry Estate in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. The category A listed castle is the Dumfriesshire home of the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch and Queensberry, and is open to the public at set times. It's home to the Buccleuch art collection, which includes Rembrandt’s An Old Woman Reading, and Leonardo da Vinci's Madonna of the Yarnwinder and many more for you to explore.

You can find ChargePlace Scotland chargers at the castle itself, while there is further provision at the Trigony House Hotel in Closeburn, and at Dunreggan Car Park.

Barnard Castle

If you're in the north west region, this market town is well worth a visit even if it's probably better known for a political scandal (and its apparent ability to cure vision issues...). The town is built around the ruins of a medieval castle, which are Grade I listed. The town is a beautiful place to explore, full of historic charm with plenty of history to search out; for instance, Charles Dickens found the watchmaking shop particularly inspiring when he visited while researching Nicholas Nickleby.

Fastned is to open a hub here soon, but you can find charging points at the Teesdale Leisure Centre, Galgate Car Park and Queen Street Car Park.

Alnwick Castle

Alnwick Castle is located in Northumberland, and was built following the Norman conquest and renovated and remodelled several times. It is a Grade I listed building, and receives more than 600,000 visitors per year when combined with The Alnwick Garden.

If you're in need of some extra range, it doesn't take to much to search out electrical sustenance for your electric vehicle. There are charging points at the Greenwell Road Car Park, Westgate House and the Alnwick Infirmary, while there are four further sites on the service station on the nearby A1.

You can find EV charging provision at the Links Road Car Park in Bamburgh.

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle is an icon of Scotland, and stands on Castle Rock, which has been occupied by humans since at least the Iron Age. There has been a royal castle on the rock since at least the reign of David I in the 12th century, and the site continued to be a royal residence until 1633. There are plenty of exhibits and there's often a new exhibition to explore – if you're up Edinburgh way, it's well worth a look before sampling the city's fine food.

You don't have to explore Edinburgh much to find electric car charging provision, with dozens of options across the city. However, we'd recommend seeking out a park and ride site; the Ingliston park & ride at Eastfield Road in the west has plenty of options for EV drivers, as does the Riccarton Mains Road, Hermiston location in the south.

Lincoln Castle

Lincoln Castle is a major medieval castle constructed in Lincoln, England, during the late 11th century by William the Conqueror on the site of a pre-existing Roman fortress. It is open to the public most days of the week and possible to walk around the walls from which there are views of the castle complex, cathedral, the city, and surrounding countryside.

As such it's location is at the centre of the city, and using a car to get there might not be the wisest way to visit. There is, however, a BP Pulse location at The Lawn Car Park, though your are presented with many more options closer the University of Lincoln.

Lincoln Park and Ride does not yet have a charging station, but you'll discover charging points nearby at Tesco, McDonalds, Pentagon and GW Padley Holdings.

Which historic houses in the UK offer electric car charging?

The United Kingdom has many examples of historic houses and parks that are open to the public. Some historic houses have more access to electric charge points than others, but even if the house concerned may not have facilities on the site, you can usually find an EV charging point nearby, leaving you free to enjoy the local countryside and many centuries of history, or simple get back to nature, take in the stories from the buildings, be inspired by the art collections or visit the gardens.

The National Trust has a list of houses that are open to the public, though there are several non-National Trust houses situated across England, Wales and Scotland that are well worth a visit.

Wimpole Estate

The Wimpole Estate contains Wimpole Hall, a country house located close to Cambridge. Construction began in 1640, and it is one of many country houses owned by The National Trust. Aside from the buildings, which is styled in a Neo-classical architecture and Grade I listed, the grounds contain ornamental gardens and farm and parkland.

If you're in need of an EV charge point, the National Trust has provided 12 charging points on the estate.

Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace is located in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, and is the seat of the Dukes of Marlborough and the only non-royal, non-episcopal country house in England to hold the title of palace. The palace, one of England's largest houses, was built between 1705 and 1722, and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. It plays host to the prestigious Salon Prive Concours d'Elegance, where exclusive classic cars share the limelight with the latest concept cars and new electric vehicles.

The palace, park, and gardens are open to the public on payment of an entry fee. Several tourist entertainment attractions separate from the palace are the Formal and Walled Gardens, Marlborough Maze and the Butterfly House. The palace is linked to the Walled Garden by a miniature railway, the Blenheim Park Railway.

If you're in need of an electric vehicle charger, you can find two EZ-Charge locations in nearby Woodstock.

Holkham Hall

Norfolk isn't the easiest place to find an electric vehicle charge point, but EV drivers can find charging points at nearby Burnham Market, Wells-next-to-the-Sea and in the Holkham National Nature Reserve itself. Holkham Hall is situated on the North-Norfolk coast, and was constructed in the Neo-Palladian style, and was one of the most expensive houses ever constructed in its day, and is well worth a visit. It's open to the public on Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays, and is still the family home of the Earls of Leicester of Holkham.

The Wells & Walsingham light railway is not far away, but you can enjoy wonderful beaches and marshland.

Sandringham Estate

This famous royal home, located in the Norfolk countryside, offers two EV Charge.online electric vehicle charge points. However, this if this location isn't enough, then you can find a Tesla destination charger at the Congham Hall Hotel & Spa, as well as several options in nearby King's Lynn. The country park and the visitors' centre are open throughout the year. The house, gardens and museum are opened annually from the end of March until the end of October.

Blair Castle

Perthshire's Blair Castle is one of the most iconic historic houses in Scotland, and is designated as a Category A listed building. If you are in need of an EV charger then there are three Pod Points available in Blair Atholl, leaving you more time to take in the epic scenery around the ancestral home of Clan Murray. It's home the only remaining legal private army in Europe, and act as the personal bodyguard to the Duke of Atholl.

What advice can you provide for planning trips to a castle or historic house in my electric vehicle?

If you're planning tours of the British countryside by car, then it's well worth a search of an app like Zap-Map to see just what the provision is like. Always make sure to have a full charge when you leave your home, and try to avoid having less than 15 per cent charge in your electric vehicle.