Waldeck Castle was first mentioned in 1124. It was owned by the Landgraves of Leuchtenberg, who sold the castle in 1283 to Duke Ludwig of Bavaria. In the Spanish War of Succession, the castle was besieged by imperial troops , taken in October 1704 and demolished by order of Emperor Joseph I. Although the castle was rebuilt, it was burned down in 1794 and since then has been ruined. Since 1982, the ruins have been excavated and restored.
Kakesbeck is one of the largest medieval fortifications in Münsterland and the oldest castle in Lüdinghausen. The imposingly grown complex originated in 1120 as a motte, a small hilltop tower castle. After numerous changes of ownership, the castle was extended onto two islands, but it was not until the 14th century that it underwent significant alterations and extensions under the von Oer family. The estate experienced its heyday in the middle of the 18th century, when it covered an area of almost one square kilometre and consisted of five further outer castles in addition to the core castle, which were secured by ramparts and moats.
The well-maintained condition of the castle today is thanks to the late Wilfried Grewing, the former lord of the castle. The foundation named after him has been particularly committed to preserving the property since 2020.