The Second Update On My Quest To Visit All The Castles In England
Posted 21st October 2013
Category: Life But Maybe Not As We Know It Genres: N/A
12 Comments
When I said I was going to try to visit as many castles as I could over the summer, I wasn’t kidding. In fact I visited enough after my first update that I have another for you. As I’m a summer person, this will be the last castle update for some time.
Ludgershall – A hunting lodge built in the 1100s, and an unexpected bonus Elizabeth Chadwick castle (it was managed by William Marshall’s father). I once said that Jane Austen seemed to be wherever I went. I think the baton’s now passed to Chadwick.
Odiham – A hunting lodge built in King John’s time. I couldn’t help wondering if it had been inspired by Ludgershall.
Rochester – A well preserved tower that, in its current build, was owned by archbishops. In terms of the castles I’ve visited so far, Rochester holds joint first place with Ludlow in the awe-inspiring stakes.
Upnor – An Elizabethan military base a short way from Rochester.
Winchester – Presumably pretty important given its location in the former capital of England, but only the Great Hall remains. Although I’d previously decided not to list it here, I may write a short post about it so it seemed right to include it.
Yarmouth – A Henrican military fort on the Isle of Wight. (It’s difficult to get a good photograph of the exterior of this one unless you’re willing to pay for the ferry to the mainland that leaves from beside it.)
So over the next several months you may see new castle posts in the form of my Present Past series, but there will be no more updates of this type. I have posts ready for Ludgershall, Rochester, and Yarmouth, and of course my posts on Odiham and Upnor have been online for a while now.
Which historical building (of any sort and age) that you’ve visited left the biggest impression on you?
October 21, 2013, 5:10 pm
I’m so impressed how many castles you’ve managed to visit this year. I don’t blame you for waiting till after winter to visit more though! I look forward to reading more about the castles you haven’t posted about yet.
I still think Caernarfon Castle in Wales has still got to be the most impressive I’ve visited. It is just so epic in size and well preserved.
October 21, 2013, 11:33 pm
I haven’t visited that many castles, but Leeds Castle made an impression because it was so pretty. Also–dog collar museum.
October 22, 2013, 1:51 am
Nice shots from your travels! To answer your question, I guess I’d have to say the Taj Mahal, but that was 35 years ago! About 10 years ago my husband and I went to Edinburgh and there were some pretty historic buildings there, but not as old as these castles you’ve photographed, probably?
October 22, 2013, 8:50 am
Jessica’s right about Caernarfon, though all of those seem really nice too. I especially want to visit Rochester!
October 22, 2013, 10:13 am
Nice photos, Charlie! Surprisingly, although I’ve visited a lot of castles over the years, these were all new to me, except Rochester. My favourite old building in the UK is Tintern Abbey, and my favourite worldwide is Agia Sofia in Istanbul. That made a huge impression on me.
October 22, 2013, 1:35 pm
What a fun goal! Thanks for sharing such great pictures :) I think my favorite is the one of Rochester, with the sun shining in.
October 23, 2013, 2:24 am
This is so cool! Keep up with updating us all. The pictures are great and I’m living vicariously through you!
October 24, 2013, 7:36 pm
Again, I will mourn the relative youth of our country! Though there are many sites of Native American dwellings/landmarks… Beautiful pictures and quite the quest to visit all the castles in England. I was struck when we went to Ireland how many structures there are all over the place as if they’re absolutely commonplace over there. Though I think the ruin that had the most impact on me was seeing the Roman Forum or even the Coliseum. So cool.
October 27, 2013, 6:03 pm
I can’t wait to see your photos of Rochester :)
I love these posts about castles, Charlie! In my area there are two castles; if I happen to go there, I will send you photos for you to see them.
About other buildings, well, I like cathedrals very much too.
November 1, 2013, 12:00 pm
Jessica: It’s a good number I’ll admit but only because of the goal. I’d say 5 without it because getting to some of them is difficult (Odiham’s pretty much middle of nowhere for example). Caernarfon Castle looks incredible! Definitely beats those I’ve seen, there’s so much still there!
Jeanne: Leeds is one most people I talk to ask if I’ve seen, it looks amazing. Just looked up with museum – random but intriguing.
Laurie: Thanks! I’m very envious! The Taj Mahal is on my would-love-to-but-know-I’ll-likely-not list. I’d say it depends on the buildings – I think Edinburgh castle is pretty old?
Ana: For a book lover Rochester is worth a trip just for the town (lots of Great Expectations references). Caernarfon makes me want to visit Wales as I’ve only ever travelled through it.
Andrew: Thanks! Tintern looks lovely, though I’m surprised it’s in such good condition given Henry! I didn’t remember the name, but looking it up Agia Sofia turns out to be one of the places I made a mental note of a while back. Utterly beautiful.
Katie: You’re welcome, I admit to enjoying taking them (I actually take about 70 each trip…) That photo was my attempt to make the best of a mostly dreary day :)
Rebecca: My plan is to write about all of them, at least in theory (so long as it remains interesting).
Literary Feline: I’m in awe every time I enter one – no matter how many you’ve seen they still take your breath away.
Trish: Youth perhaps, though the buildings you do have are gorgeous, and the native history is something we just don’t have here. At least it’s too old to really know about. Ireland has more of a historical air overall, I think, it’s so beautiful. The age of those Roman buildings, it’s incredible!
Isi: It’s going to be tough choosing the photos because the path round it goes round and round! Two castles, that’s awesome – I’d love to see photos :) Cathedral’s are lovely, I’m actually considering writing about Rochester’s because of the history there. That said our cathedrals could never beat your Sagrada FamÃlia!
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October 21, 2013, 2:25 pm
I want to go to Rochester! Anything that looks that creepy needs a visit.
I’ve not been to a Castle since may, I am very jealous of your travels.