We've been Castle-ing today, a wonderful few hours spent up the road in our towns castle. I still find it incredible to think that we have this ancient and beautiful historic building so close by to our house, only ten minutes walk away in fact. And as this weekend was the annual Free Opening for local residents, we felt we could not miss the opportunity.
It's a truly magnificent and ancient building (more than 900 years old) and is apparently one of the most complete and best preserved medieval castles in England.
This isn't a castle full of stuff. There are no paintings, artefacts or furniture here. There are lots of rooms, stairs, doors, windows, fireplaces and towers though. Lots of ancient stone. A watchtower. A kitchen, a banqueting hall, a bed chamber and a privy. A dungeon (where they turned out the lights and made all the children scream for help, gosh the Little People loved that bit).
But best of all for me there were views. Views of the surrounding countryside...
....and that oh-so-familiar view of the very hill that I gaze at through my own window. Ahhh, deep sigh, my heart squeezed with happiness at the sight of my attic view as seen from the castle window.
And from the highest point in the old watchtower, a spectacular view of our town's main street. The castle really does quite literally sit at the top of the high street. Isn't that quite something??
We had a lovely time at the castle, the Little People really enjoyed following the trail in and out of the rooms, up and down the ancient stairs. Even Little B seemed to enjoy his outing, riding high on J's back in the baby carrier. Afterwards, I asked the LP if they would like to come with me just a few minutes walk up the road to look at the flowers. Lots of crocuses growing in the wide grass verges.....
....and just a little bit further on at the entrance to the woodland, a fantastic gathering of snowdrops.
Every year I try to make sure I walk up to this patch to be delighted and amazed by the sight. I always kind of hold my breath as I first walk near, afraid that perhaps they may not be there. But of course they were indeed there, and even the Littl'ns seemed impressed. Some "wow"s were uttered. In fact, it's felt like a really Wowsy kind of a day. Just unexpectedly lovely to appreciate for the umpteenth time that we live in a pretty special place.
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Thanks for a fond reminder of our visit to your little place in the world!
My family wandered through this very castle and down the main street during market day a few years ago during our visit to England - and my little person also loved it. She just told me "I remember looking out that window" when she saw one of your pictures on my computer screen.
No crocuses or snowdrops during our visit (in late May) - but there was a group of people demonstrating medieval crafts, armor etc. that we enjoyed learning about.
We're not nearly that close to spring here in the American Pacific Northwest, but I'm looking forward to my crocuses and daffodils popping out soon!
Posted by: Jennifer B | March 06, 2011 at 09:20 PM
Thank you so much for this wonderful visit. This is why I love blogs so much, you get to see how amazingly creative people are, and where they live. I feel like our world is a bit smaller as we can pop on blogs and really look into peoples lives all around the world. I wish we had a castle in Florida, that is a castle not owned by Disney World!
Have a beautiful day,
Meredith
Posted by: Meredith | March 06, 2011 at 09:31 PM
Living in a country that's just barely a couple hundred years old (U.S.), I'm so jealous you have such gorgeous, ancient buildings right in your town!! Thank you for posting these lovely photos so I can live vicariously through you. :)
Posted by: theonlynikki | March 06, 2011 at 09:34 PM
What a wonderful castle and a lovely day for your visit. The snowdrops are the icing on the cake so to speak. Lovely photos. x
Posted by: Victoria | March 06, 2011 at 09:38 PM
It looks so lovely and springy there! We had 3 inches of snow yesterday here in my Midwestern (US) home. Sigh. Winter just drags on and on for us.
Your blog is like a fairytale visit for me. Thanks for that!
Posted by: Tracy | March 06, 2011 at 09:46 PM
Pretty!
Posted by: calicodaisy handmade | March 06, 2011 at 09:47 PM
Dear Lucy, how lucky you are to have that history just minutes away. Thank you for sharing the photos with us -- one of the things that I feel so deprived of is that I've never been to England nor seen a real castle and I adore them. And the snowdrops, my my, what a massive display of them! I am happy that our old farmplace (just a mere 100 years old) has many patches of them. Say, I finished my Granny Stripe and have photos on my blog, I do hope you stop by and look. I've given a link to you and credit for your inspiration there. Love from Oregon, USA... Teresa
Posted by: Teresa Kasner | March 06, 2011 at 09:49 PM
Lovely post as usual. It is pretty amazing that these old historic places are still standing, isn't it. It always amazes me how the workmen did their job - no cranes or JCB's in those days. I too love the Spring flowers and am already looking ahead to seeing the bluebells.
June.
Posted by: June | March 06, 2011 at 09:56 PM
It is interestng reading other comments and it made me realise that we sometimes take our historical heritage for granted here in the UK....we are very lucky to have such wonderful buldings, often free to visit, that are cared for and preserved for the future. I must check out your castle myself as I live not too far away. xx
Posted by: Andrea at Apples and Pears | March 06, 2011 at 10:13 PM
Hello Lucy,
How nice you were able to visit the magnificent castle today right in your own town. I have always loved castles and would have taken up the opportunity to visit it today just like you and your family. The sight of spring flowers makes me so happy! I love seeing them emerge from the ground and remind everyone that spring is so near.
xx Susan
Posted by: Susan H. | March 06, 2011 at 10:19 PM
Stunning , Beautiful, thank you for brightening my morning
Posted by: Brenda | March 06, 2011 at 10:22 PM
Oh how lucky you are in England, where spring has arrived. Here in Sweden we still have snow.
Posted by: Kerstin | March 06, 2011 at 10:24 PM
What a wonderful day! I wish I had a castle in my neck of the woods, but they just don't make 'em like that here... ;)
Posted by: loribird | March 06, 2011 at 10:25 PM
How spectacular to have that gorgeous castle right in your town. Beautiful! Thanks for sharing Lucy! :)
Posted by: Kar | March 06, 2011 at 10:28 PM
oh beautiful! You are very lucky!
Posted by: Giusy | March 06, 2011 at 10:32 PM
Ooh castle days are so much fun, I love that perfectly striped lawn and the snowdrops would have made my day too.
Posted by: Rebecca | March 06, 2011 at 10:36 PM
I have never seen a castle before this is my first thanks to you....I enjoyed it and the flowers.
Posted by: Trish | March 06, 2011 at 10:37 PM
Oh, Lucy, you are the luckiest lady! A castle right up the street loaded with all that history! Such a gorgeous one at that :) Someday I hope to visit England and tour as many beautiful castles I can stand!
XXOO
Posted by: Ann | March 06, 2011 at 10:50 PM
Lovely photos! Thank you so much! :)
Posted by: Bernadette | March 06, 2011 at 10:56 PM
Breathtaking! Thank you so much for sharing the beauty of your town. I feel like I am looking out my window into yours! Love the flowers too!!!
Posted by: Lynda USA | March 06, 2011 at 11:03 PM
Very impressive striped lawns! How wonderful to have something like that just a few minutes walk away.And snowdrops.And SUNSHINE.
Posted by: Kate | March 06, 2011 at 11:05 PM
Love the castle pics. I wish I'd taken more advantage of all the castles and historic places in the UK when we lived there. With New Zealand being so 'new' we don't have much like that.
Posted by: Katie | March 06, 2011 at 11:14 PM
Wow indeed! The snowdrop photos are absolutely stunning.
I think every town should have a castle; it would make life much more fun.
Posted by: Alex | March 06, 2011 at 11:20 PM
Wow, Lucy, what a magic day out! I just adore those old castles. One day I might be lucky enough to see a real castle for myself. I don't know that we have any here in Australia.
Gorgeous photos of the crocus flowers and little white snowdrops.....lovely.... thanks for taking us along.
Posted by: Sandi | March 06, 2011 at 11:47 PM
I just love ready your stories. You are such a good writer, I feel like I can see the little ones scurrying about that castle and up the path to view nature. Oh the simple pleasures in life!
Posted by: Lisa | March 06, 2011 at 11:56 PM