 |
CastleUK Blog
December 2008 |
The blog page, a place where I can record and then archive my monthly updates and what's new in our hunt for castles UK.
This months castle is again from Wiltshire, its only the one but it's a good un.
November went by in a flash but we did get to see some sites and for a change we went to walk the walls of Portsmouth and Southampton. At Southampton the circuit of medieval walls are entirely pedestrianised, with interpretation panels and information boards, also you can look at what's left of the castle. The site of the motte is easy to find, there's a block of flats built on it but you can still see the curve of the motte. The remaining walls at Portsmouth, are more artillery fortifications which guard the harbour entrance but there's good access, with information boards and inland there's the Landport Gate but you can only view one side. The one thing that did surprised us when we looked over the walls, people old enough to know better were swimming in the sea and there's us wrapped up in big coats and hats, it made us feel quite inadequate. We couldn't leave without visiting HMS Victory, the Royal Navy's most famous warship, which is the world's oldest commissioned ship and a proud memorial to Vice Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson, Britain's greatest Naval hero, next time it's the Mary Rose.
CastleUK would like to wish everyone, a very happy Christmas and a good castle hunting New Year.
Click on the pictures, for more information. |
|
Ruthin Castle, OS 116/SJ 123-580 Denbighshire England, is this months wallpaper.
The picture was taken in early January 2008 and the view is of the west gate that gives access into the inner ditch. We stopped here for a couple of nights and on the second day, they were clearing the ground in front of the gate for a Medieval Living History Camp and Banquet. We nipped down to get some pictures of the best part of the castle and the castle spotter got talking to someone from the hotel (who I have rubbed out). So for once I managed to get her in the picture facing me and with the smoke rising up in front of her, it's definitely a one off. |
|
Old Wardour Castle, OS 184/ST 939-263 Wiltshire England, is an unusual late 14th century stone tower house, founded by John, Lord Lovel. The four storey hexagonal tower with its central courtyard that contains a well, is lightly fortified with two square towers flanking the entrance. The site is owned by English Heritage and is open daily, July and August 10:00-6:00pm, April to June and September 10:00-5:00pm, October 10:00-4:00pm, Saturday and Sunday November to March 10:00-4:00pm. Good looking castle here, that's in a great spot tucked out of the way, it's a castle that's now at peace, go and enjoy. |
| |
|
| |
|
|
