Castle Hunting UK

27 th June 2015 Old Sarum sits on the site of an Iron Age hill fort 1067-1070 - William the Conqueror builds a wooden castle in the centre of the hill fort Henry I reign - castle is reconstructed in stone 1075 - Herman Bishop of Ramsbury created a cathedral at the site 1130 - castle acquired by Bishop Roger of Sarum 1139 - during Bishop Roger's downfall the castle was passed back to the King Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine was kept under house arrest here During the reigns of King Richard I and John, the castle was well looked after 1220s - Bishop Richard Poore decided to build a new catherdral Castle was later abandoned by the clergy and eventually the Crown lost interest in the castle too This was another fascinating site and much remains considering the age of site/buildings. We did the audio tour which was interesting. There was plenty to see, though not much is undercover so good/dry weather would be required! Owned by English Heritage Designated car par...

26 th June 2015 Since the Roman invasion of Britain in 43AD until the end of their rule (410AD), the site of Richborough was used as fort. Over time it became a town – with a mansio, temples and amphitheatre – and then a port. In the late 3 rd century the site was refortified due to the threat of the Saxons. After Roman rule ended, the site was occupied by the Saxons. This site was so interesting and the ruins are impressive when you consider how old they are. We would definitely recommend the audio tour, but there are also information panels dotted around the site. The exhibition next to the shop, about Roman life, is also interesting. Unfortunately we could not find the amphitheatre so we suggest asking in the shop for exact directions! Owned by English Heritage Designated car park Dogs allowed Small shop, toilets Guidebooks, audio tours N&K 

25 th June 2015 1066 - William of Normandy (William the Conqueror) lands in England and orders a timber motte and bailey castle to be built at Hastings 1070 - following the Battle of Hastings the castle is rebuilt in stone Castle was later destroyed by King John 1220 - Henry III restores the castle 1287 - during a storm part of the castle is lost in a cliff fall Henry VIII, during his destruction of Catholic churches, ruins Hastings. The castle continues to fall into decline We would definitely recommend seeing this castle. Whilst the castle is fairly ruined, considering how old it is and its history, it’s amazing what is left. The lack of information provided is unfortunate and the castle was hard to find! But the location on a cliff was lovely and the archway was beautiful. Entrance fee Car park for the castle is a slight walk away, up a steep hill No facilities on site Introductory video but no  guidebook N & K

24th June 2015 1066 - original castle, constructed of timber, was thought to have been built by William the Conqueror 1088 - siege in which castle was damaged. Under command of William II, Gundulf Bishop of Rochester rebuilt 1127 - Henry I entrusts castle custody to Archbishops of Canterbury, William de Corbeil builds a stone keep 1211 onwards - tension between Stephen Langton (Archbishop of Canterbury) and King John 1215- following the agreement of the Magna Carta by King John and the barons, the arrangement collapsed and the king's enemy controlled the castle. they eventually surrendered as a result of starvation 1216 - castle back in rebel hands until 1217 - where the country had a new king, Henry III 1226 - castle keep repaired Henry III is a regular visitor to Rochester castle 1264 - Henry III's authority was challenged by the barons and the castle was at the heart of this particular siege. Simon de Montfort, leader of the rebel barons captured the castle ...

24th June 2015 1559 - built to protect Queen Elizabeth I's war ships which would be anchored in the river Medway 1642 - Civil War - castle was a prison for Royalists 1653 - fire at the castle resulted in the gatehouse being rebuilt 1827 - castle no longer used as a magazine but instead as an explosives laboratory 1856 - new shell store and magazine installed following the Crimean war 1891 - war office to the Admiralty as well as testing place for firearms and explosives 1941 - castle damaged by a bomb which fell on Upnor house 1945 - castle became a museum  The castle today consists of a gatehouse (1599-1601), courtyard. If you go through the Sally port on the left this leads you to the North Tower. After this enter the main building, built between 1559 and 1567, which leads out onto the Water bastion for a view across the river. End your tour in the South Tower. The castle was very different to what we were expecting and it didn't...

23rd June 2015 Considered the greatest landmark symbol of England, the castle stands proud guarding the straight of Dover (the narrowest point of the English Channel between England and France). Iron Age - hill fort existed at site of current castle today 43AD - Romans built a lighthouse (Pharos) Saxons - added a church and fortification 1066 - William the Conqueror strengthened the defences here 1180s - Henry II remodelled the castle 1200s - building work continued under the orders of King John and Henry III 1216 - 1217 - defences were put to the test when the castle came under sieges from the French Castle garrison for many years World War II - site was the headquarters for Admiralty Regional Command  1940 - Operation Dynamo was orchestrated here  We began with the guided tours, as these can get quite busy. The Operation Dynamo tour takes about 50 minutes and takes you 26 metres underground around the middle level of the war tunnels, kno...

22nd June 2015 The largest of the “castles of the Downs” (Sandown, Walmer and Deal) 1539 - 1540 - castle built under the orders of Henry VIII 1539 - Anne of Cleeves briefly stayed at the castle on her way to marry Henry VIII 1642 - Civil War - all three castle of the Downs were under Parliamentary control 1648 - Kentish uprising, all three castles were taken by a small fleet of Royalist naval vessels Colonel Rich appointed captain of the castle and set about repairing the castle 1652-1654/1665-1667/1672-1674 - Dutch Wars - a garrison was maintained at the castle throughout this times and whilst several fleets sailed passed the castle saw no action 1720s - castle renovated into more comfortable  accommodation This castle was interesting and had a nice, easy layout to get around. The shape of the castle form the air forms the shape of the Tudor rose. The castle keep is circular and the rooms on the ground floor contain original features. The first floor was no...