Rising from a high spur of land overlooking an ancient crossing point of the river Wye, Goodrich Castle towers over the surrounding countryside. A castle has stood here since the 11th century, but most of what we see today was the work of William de Valence, Henry III?s half-brother, in the late 13th century. His …
Although there are no documents about the early years of Guildford castle, it is almost certain that it was built shortly after the Norman conquest of 1066. Guildford was an obvious site for a castle as it was the only town in Surrey (apart from Southwark). It was also on an important route between London …
Highclere Castle has a rich, multi-faceted heritage. The first written records of the estate date back to?749?when an Anglo-Saxon King granted the estate to the Bishops of Winchester. Bishop William of Wykeham built a beautiful medieval palace and gardens on the park. Later on, the palace was rebuilt as Highclere Place House in?1679?when it was …
Tradition relates that a castle was first constructed on this site by?Rhodri the Great, but there are no remains from this period. Dinefwr later became the chief seat of Rhodri’s grandson?Hywel Dda, first ruler of Deheubarth and later?king of most of Wales.?Rhys ap Gruffydd, ruler of Deheubarth from 1155 to 1197, is thought to have …
With Farnham Castle fully renovated and brought back to life it is finally licensed for civil ceremonies – having hosted many special occasions and wedding celebrations in the years prior to this. Farnham Castle opened its doors to its first wedding celebration The Great Hall is repaired and redecorated, followed by the restoration and renovation …
Cardiff Castle is one of Wales? leading heritage attractions and a site of international significance. Located within beautiful parklands at the heart of the capital, Cardiff Castle?s walls and fairytale towers conceal 2,000 years of history. The Roman fort at Cardiff was probably established at the end of the 50s AD, on a strategic site …
Audley End was one of the greatest houses of early 17th-century England. In about 1605?14 Thomas Howard, 1st Earl of Suffolk, took an earlier house created by his grandfather Lord Audley on the site of Walden Abbey, and rebuilt it on the scale of a royal palace. Robert Adam transformed this house for Sir John …
DEFENCES Berkhamsted Castle was extremely well defended, with two ditches and three sets of earthworks around the oblong bailey, and a further ditch around the motte. Although no worked stone remains on the curtain wall, its flint rubble core survives for amost the full circuit of the bailey. The outer defences also survive well, although …
Wadhurst Castle is 19th-century castellated mansion just to the west of the village of Wadhurst built on the site of a much older house which was mentioned in records of the 14th Century. In an elevated position, the Castle commands magnificent panoramic views of the gloriously beautiful Sussex countryside to the South and West. First …
Tickets to Warwick Castle. What’s Included Entrance to Warwick Castle (entrance to Castle Dungeon is not included but can be upgraded on site) Entrance to Warwick’s stunning gardens Entrance to daily shows (check timetable on arrival) Warwick Castle – A great child-friendly interactive attraction and a great family day out! Warwick Castle dates back to …
Witley Court was once of the great country houses of England, reaching its peak in the Victorian period when it was the setting for extravagant parties and royal entertainments. After a devastating fire in 1937, however, it became one of the country?s most spectacular ruins. It is still possible to gain a sense of the …
This remarkable castle, built on the instruction of William the Conqueror, has been my family?s home for 450 years. Prior to the Watson?s ownership the Castle was held by the crown. There are very few other homes that have been continuously occupied for nearly 1000 years and within that time been owned by just one …
Standing in a peaceful Shropshire valley near the Welsh border, Stokesay Castle has survived remarkably intact since a leading wool merchant, Laurence of Ludlow, built it in the late 13th century. His fine fortified manor house was both comfortable and impressive, designed as a statement of his wealth and power. Today, barely touched by the …
History comes alive for young and old at Tonbridge Castle. You can see and hear what it would have been like to be a Lord or Lady 700 years ago. Take the audio tour (approximately 1 hour) and experience with interactive displays and life-size figures a vivid recreation of the sights, sounds and excitement of …
The most remarkable thing about the Castle is that for nine centuries, the building, the Berkeley family, the archives (which go back to the 12th Century), the contents, the estate and the town have all survived together. Its place in history is significant, not just because it is still intact, but because the Berkeley family …
Kenilworth Castle is one of the great historical sites of the United Kingdom. First built in the 1120s and a royal castle for most of its history, it was expanded by King John, John of Gaunt and Henry V. In 1563 Elizabeth I granted it to her favourite, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, who converted …
The first known settlement in Lincoln, dating back to the first century BC, was around the Brayford Waterfront area, giving the place its original name Lindon: ?Lindo? translating as ?The Pool? in the Celtic language (similar to Dublin’s name Gaelic for ?Black Pool?). Timber houses and pottery have been found dating back to that time …
Powis Castle (Welsh: Castell Powys) is a medieval castle, fortress and grand country mansion near Welshpool, in Powys, Wales. It is known for housing the treasures that were brought home by Robert Clive and his son, Edward Clive from India. The Clives “looted” them during their service with the British East India Company.[1] The castle …
Tickets for the Tower of London. What’s Included Tower of London Tickets Tickets for the Tower of London, the UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s the official home to the Crown Jewels and protected by the Yeoman Warders, more commonly known as the Beefeaters, oh and the resident Ravens, of course! The Ravens have been living …
Strictly speaking a fortified manor more than a castle, the site at Astley Castle has been in continuous occupation since the Saxon period. As Grade II* listed, the castle is counted of national significance. Its site includes the moated castle, gateway and curtain walls, lake, church and the ghost of pleasure gardens in a picturesque …
There are nearly 1,000 years of history at this great castle, situated in magnificent grounds overlooking the River Arun in West Sussex and built at the end of the 11th century by Roger de Montgomery, Earl of Arundel. The oldest feature is the motte, an artificial mound, over 100 feet high from the dry moat, …
In 1284, Robert Burnell obtained a licence from the king to fortify his residence. Work was probably still in progress when Robert died in 1292. The large first-floor windows of the castle suggest, however, that it never had a serious defensive purpose and was instead perhaps designed to impress. The Burnell family of Acton Burnell …
William of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester and Chancellor of England bought the house in 1377. It then passed to William?s great-nephew Sir Thomas Wykeham and thence to Sir Thomas?s granddaughter, Margaret, who married Sir William Fiennes, later the 2nd Lord Saye & Sele, in 1448. Sir Thomas Wykeham obtained a licence to ?crenellate and embattle? …
Bramber Castle was founded by William de Braose as a defensive and administrative centre for Bramber, one of the six administrative regions ? each of which was controlled by a castle ? into which Sussex was divided following the Norman Conquest. It was held almost continually by de Braose and his descendants from its foundation …
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