Castle is one of the most beloved and long-running LEGO themes – even though it doesn’t continue today, fans are determined to keep the flame alive and are doing a great job through BrickLink Designer Program.
Medieval and Castle themed sets have always been a mainstay of BrickLink Designer Program (BDP). The first ever official BrickLink program (AFOL Designer Program) even featured a castle build as one of its finalists – BL19001 Löwenstein Castle (shipped in 2019) was a clear sign of things to come. BDP sees fans submitting their models to the website, then other users can vote for their favourite designs. Three times a year, the LEGO Group selects five builds to be sold as part of a limited pre-order as official sets.
Since AFOL Designer Program evolved to become BrickLink Designer Progam, nearly every series has contained at least one finalist clearly inspired by LEGO Castle. Join Blocks as we explore the five best BDP sets inspired by LEGO Castle…
910029 Mountain Fortress
910029 Mountain Fortress was released in 2024 as a part of BrickLink’s Designer Program Series 1. The set is packed with 3,995 parts, nine minifigures and stands at more than half a meter tall (59cm). Castle inspired sets are often on the larger side and Mountain Fortress is no exception. Designed by the pseudonymous ‘SleeplessNight’, Mountain Fortress sits just shy of BrickLink’s 4,000 piece limit.
Inspired by previous LEGO Castle sets, Mountain Fortress is clearly aligned to the Black Falcon Knights. The Falcon’s iconic blue and black colour scheme provide a great contrast to the grey stone castle. A great treat for Castle fans and a strong start to BrickLink Designer Program.
910043 Forest Stronghold
910043 Forest Stronghold was designed by Taylor Anderson as a part of BrickLink Designer Program Series 3. Forest Stronghold was one of five sets that made it through the crowd support phase back in October 2023. Coming in at 3,395 parts and boasting a roster of 12 minifigures, Forest Stronghold is certainly a centrepiece build.
According to Taylor, the rogue Forestmen have reclaimed the abandoned castle and are ambushing the Black Falcons. Built in a ‘doll house’ style with an open back, Forest Stronghold features three floors with ladder access. Also notable is the working zip line that connects the two castle towers.
910045 Siege Encampment
BDP Series 4 features the epic 910045 Siege Encampment. This 2,598 piece set breaks the mould by shying away from traditional Castle builds. What Siege Encampment offers instead, is the perfect add-on set to any existing LEGO Castle build. Stuffed full of individual builds this set also comes with 18 Castle themed minifigures.
910045 Siege Encampment was designed by SleeplessNight, who also designed 910029 Mountain Fortress. Whilst the designer is clearly a Black Falcon’s fan, the build contains extra elements and stickers allowing you to swap allegiances to the Lion Knights. The brick-built tower is the perfect size for attacking both 910029 Mountain Fortress and 10305 Lion Knight’s Castle.
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910047 Medieval Seaside Market
Series 4’s 910047 Medieval Seaside Market offers something slightly different than the standard Castle inspired set. As the name implies, this build manages to incorporate not only castle walls and towers but also a minifigure scale dock. Coming in at 2,560 pieces Medieval Seaside Market stretches over a base that is 64cm long.
Despite the medium piece count, set designer Gonza has managed to fit a blacksmith, a baker and a merchant into the build’s market area. This is all contained within brick walls including a main tower and a lighthouse tower. Nine unique minifigures populate the seaside market, including three Lion Knight guards.
910001 Castle in the Forest
In BrickLink Designer Program 2021 Invitational, 910001 Castle in the Forest was limited to only 10,000 orders and finally shipped in 2022. Castle in the Forest is smaller than more recent Castle inspired sets, using 1,957 pieces and including 6 minifigures.
Whilst not the most advanced or adventurous build, Castle in the Forest pays homage to Castle sets of the past. The build comprises of three main sections and according to the set designer (Daniel Van Zonneveld): “Each part is inspired by one of the Forestmen sets from the 1990s”. The castle features several stickers with one being a reference to a now retired Forestman minifigure.
It is clearhow much of an impact LEGO Castle has had on LEGO fans, especially in the enduring demand for more Castle themed sets. Despite discontinuing the Castle theme, the LEGO Group continues to release Castle and medieval builds in other themes (notably Icons and Ideas). As demand continues, it’s likely that the BrickLink Designer Program will continue to provide adult fans with incredible Castle inspired sets and give younger fans a chance to collect classic groups like the Black Falcon Knights and Forestmen.