Castle Hunting UK

15th September 2014 This is considered to be one of the greatest historical sites in England.  1120s - first castle - great tower and keep - was established by the Royal Chamberlain, Geoffrey de Clinton 1210-1215 - King John added to the castle including Mortimer's Tower 1266 - castle withstood a full scale siege   1300s - John of Gaunt, son of Edward III added the great hall 1400s - favoured residence of Lancastrian kings due to its excellent hunting  1563 - Elizabeth I granted the castle to Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, who converted Kenilworth into a great house for her entertainment 1571 - Leicester building and private apartments constructed for Elizabeth I 1650 - after the Civil War the castle's fortifications were dismantled  We loved this castle. There is lots to see and the castle is well preserved. There is an exhibition in the stable block – which was interesting. The newly installed viewing platforms in the Leicester bu...

14th September 2014 1068 - William the Conqueror ordered a timber motte and bailey castle to be built The first Earl of Warwick was Hnery de Newburgh 1220 - a stone castle replaced the original wooden castle 1268 - castle passed to the de Beauchamp family 1440 - Anne de Beauchamp married Richard Neville aka "The Kingmaker" (an influential person in the Wars of the Roses) 1471 - Edward IV is imprisoned in the castle 1471 - Upon Richard Neville's death the castle passed to George, Duke of Clarence (brother of Edward IV) until his death in 1478 1499 - 1547 - castle in property of the crown 1547 - castle and title of Earl of Warwick was granted to John Dudley by Edward VI 1553 - Edward VI dies, Dudley attempts to put his daughter in law, Lady Jane Grey, on the throne. His attempt fails and he is executed returning the castle to crown property 1604 - James I presents the castle to the Greville family (where it remains today) The castle has received m...

7th August 2014 1070 - built by William the Conqueror's half brother, Count Robert of Mortain Mid 1200s - Richard, Henry III younger brother, becomes Earl of Cornwall. Castle's defences are improved - a high tower is built with the shell keep and the gatehouse and curtain walls are renovated.  1272 - following Richard;s death the castle is neglected Civil War - castle is held for the king In later years the castle walls enclosed a county jail - where hangings took place right up until 1821 1842 - jail moved to Bodmin We entered the castle through the South Gatehouse and explored the shell keep first before going back down to the bailey to look around the ruins of the great hall, kitchens and administration hall and then to the North Gatehouse. The actual castle keep is very simple and compact, but a climb to the top enables views across Bodmin Moor and Dartmoor on a clear day. Make sure you take note of the shell keep which is actually leaning to one side sligh...

17th February 2014 1068 - originally a timber motte and bailey, built by William the Conqueror's commander Juhel 1219 - castle transformed to stone by Reginald de Broase Castle passed to Reginald's brother in law, William de Cantelupe and was neglected  This neglect continued during de la Zouch ownership 1485 - Wars of the Roses - castle given to Lancastrian Sir Richard Edgecombe of Cotehele where it ceased to be a fort or residence There are no records of the castle ever having been used/involved in military service Totnes is a very tiny castle and we would recommend combining a visit here with nearby Berry Pomeroy castle. The views from the top of the castle are good, though to get up to the castle is quite a climb! When you get to the ticket office, we would definitely suggest trying a taster of the mead! Owned by English Heritage  Limited parking - see English Heritage website  Small shop Guidebooks available Dogs allowed  N & ...

17th February 2014 This castle is considered as one of the most picturesque romantic ruins in England  Late 1400s - Wars of the Roses (during) - gatehouse and curtain walls, all that remains of this time/oldest part of the castle, built by Pomeroy family 1560s - Edward Lord Seymour buys the castle from the Pomeroys and builds an Elizabethan house 1600s - castle extended by Edward Seymour II - became the grandest house in Devon, however due to lack of funds, the ambitious building plans came to a sudden halt and were never completed Civil War  - Seymour family continued to live in the castle whilst fighting with Charles I Late 1600s - castle abandoned 1734 - castle ruined  This castle had a nice layout and was easy to get around. The lovely windows let your imagination run wild. There is a mix of several eras in this castle which makes it an interesting visit. The audio tour is also well worth it. Beware! Many ghost stories surround the castle  ...

6 th  August 2013 1086 - it is though the castle was probably built around this time, on the orders of William the Conqueror, to defend the River Fowey Castle had many owners. 1268 - castle sold to Richard Earl of Cornwall (brother of Henry III)  1299  - Richard's son dies, castle reverts to the ownership of the crown  1337 - Edward of Woodstock (the Black Prince) is given the title of the Duke of Cornwall, which included land and Restormel Castle  1351 and 1354 - Edward Black Prince visits the castle  1376 - death of the Black Prince, castle is neglected 1644 - Civil War - Sir Richard Grenville Lord Essex, Royalist, captures the castle 1846 - Queen Victoria visits the castle  1865 - Edward VII visits the castle  This castle is circular and well preserved. We really liked this castle as it’s very compact and the layout of the castle flows. The castle itself is easy to find and a climb to the top provides lovely views on a c...

21 st  July 2013 1540s - built by Thomas Treffry for Henry VIII to protect the Carrick Roads.  1646 - Civil War - St Mawes is surrendered by Royalists to Parliamentarians  Early 1700s - castle was mainly being used as a barracks and gunpowder store  1854 - a Grand Sea Battery and Magazine is built, separate ti the castle along the shoreline  1903  - the castle's gun are withdrawn as a result of no longer being powerful enough  This castle is another favourite of ours. It’s very dinky – very much like a miniature version of Pendennis. The castle is five levels and you enter on the second floor of the gun tower. Look out for the Latin inscriptions above several doorways - tributes to Henry VIII.  The views across the Carrick Roads are gorgeous. The road towards the castle, through St Mawes, is narrow so be warned during the busy summer months! Owned by English Heritage Designated car park for the castle Shop, toilets A joint gui...

20th July 2013 1530s - Built by Thomas Treffry for Henry VIII designed to protect Fowey harbour It saw little action but was well kept during the Tudor era.  Civil War - was manned by Royalists and fell into ruin Napoleonic War - 6 cannons placed at St Catherine’s but never used Second World War - it was an observation post and gun battery This castle is small – perhaps the smallest in Cornwall. The views are lovely looking out over the sea to Polruan and as well as exploring inside the castle you can see the site of where the cannons were. O wned by English Heritage - free entry Nearest car parking is just under a mile away at Ready Money Cove. You can then walk to the castle along the South West Coast Path No facilities Information panel at castle but no guidebook Dogs allowed N & K

8th July 2013 1539 - castle built by Thomas Treffry for Henry VII , due to the threat of invasion from the French and Spanish.  1588 - The sailing of the Spanish Armada could be seen from Pendennis (and St Mawes castle).  1596 - Pendennis castle was very nearly attacked by the Spanish 1646 - Civil War -  King Charles II took refuge in the castle, en route to his escape abroad. 17th century onwards - castle became a military base.  The castle saw service during the Napoleonic War and World War II – when it was the headquarters for Falmouth Fire Command.  This castle is an old favourite of ours. There is lots to see and we would definitely recommend it for children. The café/tea rooms are very nice. The guided tour of the Half Moon Battery comes highly recommended. Approximately 45 minutes long the tour takes you in normally inaccessible parts of the Battery. There are lovely views towards Falmouth and across the Carrick Roads (St Ma...