Bodiam is of course an archetypical fairy tale looking castle, however it in reality it was bordering on a folly/stately home.
It's defences are weak with large windows and an easily drained moat main purpose was to make it look more imposing. Memory fails but I think it also uses some archetectual tricks to add it that, and says more about the symbolism of castle building than practical defence. It was built during an era when curtain walls were about to become obselete due to the rise of gunpowder and canon, in favour of lower deeper angular defences or bastions.
Leeds Castle has it's own B and B. It's reasonably priced and when the punters leave you are free to roam the grounds with the chance, of course some Anglo-American 'interaction' with a stunning alfresco backdrop. Mind the geese though.
Leeds Castle has it's own B and B. It's reasonably priced and when the punters leave you are free to roam the grounds with of course some Anglo-American interaction with a stunning alfresco backdrop. Mind the geese though.
Thornbury Castle in Gloucestershire is a Tudor castle which is currently used as a luxury hotel. Imagine the hanky panky you could get up to in this little number. One hopes the en-suite Garderobe has been updated though....
Rochester castle is an easy option. Fully climbable, nice open gardens, and on a sunny day head down to ye arrow to get pissed up and gaze upon her form while she gazes at the old Norman keep. Then after smoothly booking a room at one of the many hotels on the olde worlde high street. You get to taste the fruits of your labour and her, taste the fruits of your loins.
Tell her to lie back and call you the artful dodger and you discover little dorrit
I am off to visit Alnwick castle later today .. however, FAR too far north for a day's trip from the smoke ((:>)
Great castle. As are Bamburgh and Warkworth. Enjoy.
Have always wanted to visit Bamburgh because of the link to Bernard Cornwell's Viking novels.
Hoping to visit Tintagel Castle when down in Cornwall next month, has anyone been there before?
Yes. It's pretty good, what with being on the coast and all. It is however a total ruin. While there, check out Merlin's Cave on the beach and the Old Post Office in Tintagel village which looks like its roof must have been constructed by @PeakieRocket 's builders
Warwick however, gives you the real medieval Castle experience.
I'm pretty sure I've been there and it was a goodun. I also seem to have this memory of a skeleton hanging behind a curtain. Must of been delirious at the time!
I am off to visit Alnwick castle later today .. however, FAR too far north for a day's trip from the smoke ((:>)
Great castle. As are Bamburgh and Warkworth. Enjoy.
rain absolutely hammered down in the Newcastle/Sunderland area so was too unpleasant to drive 50 miles north from where I am staying to Alnwick .. Soooo,went to Durham instead .. 2 for the price of one .. the cathedral and castle are cheek by jowl and an added bonus is the city of Durham itself .. all in all a good day out despite the rain which did abate later in the afternoon
Why are we having this conversation. Park up in tenterden, pub lunch, get on steam train to Bodium, casual stroll up to one of the most castley of castles in the country, dinner in the pub over the road, oops missed the last train back and have to get a room in said pub. Crash, bang, wallop and jobs a good 'Un.
most in Kent and Sussex have been mentioned but Bodium is probably your best bet. A bit further afield but I'm surprised no one has mentioned Framlingham.
If anyone is heading up to North Norfolk, I went to Castle Rising Castle last year which I'd recommend. Great views of the village of Castle Rising from the earthworks.
Comments
Try Arundel, and Amberley if you have quite a few quid to spare for an overnight. Windsor of course - sorry if already mentioned.
There's a site called e castles - http://www.ecastles.co.uk
Bodiam is of course an archetypical fairy tale looking castle, however it in reality it was bordering on a folly/stately home.
It's defences are weak with large windows and an easily drained moat main purpose was to make it look more imposing. Memory fails but I think it also uses some archetectual tricks to add it that, and says more about the symbolism of castle building than practical defence. It was built during an era when curtain walls were about to become obselete due to the rise of gunpowder and canon, in favour of lower deeper angular defences or bastions.
And they do great cakes.
www.severndroogcastle.org.uk
I know already mentioned.
Tell her to lie back and call you the artful dodger and you discover little dorrit
He said he wanted to get laid, not go dogging.
Hoping to visit Tintagel Castle when down in Cornwall next month, has anyone been there before?
Soooo,went to Durham instead .. 2 for the price of one .. the cathedral and castle are cheek by jowl and an added bonus is the city of Durham itself .. all in all a good day out despite the rain which did abate later in the afternoon
However I agree fully with you Carcassonne is a beautiful example.