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, I'm going to have nightmares tonight.
Posted by: Pandora Beads UK | March 17, 2012 at 10:12 AM
Thank you for sharing your visit to the castle. So wished I could have been part of the tour. I visited England for the first time last May and loved it. Can't wait to get back.
Posted by: Lesley | March 27, 2011 at 03:57 PM
I have just come upon your blog and have fallen in love with it all. You have a great way of saying things and your insight to crafts is wonderful. you have a great imagination and i love it.Thank you for sharing all the wonderful things you do and I am so happy to be able to get your blog. It was a wonderful find.
Posted by: Pat Johnson | March 18, 2011 at 07:34 PM
I enjoyed this very much!
Posted by: gina | March 18, 2011 at 04:08 PM
A happy family day ; )
Posted by: Susan Blencowe | March 13, 2011 at 07:21 AM
Wow Lucy am thrilled and excited to realise we live in the same town! My hubby took our Niece and Nephew on the castle tour this weekend too whilst I had a battery recharge (they had been here overnight) Love your crochet and fabulous use of colour. Papercraft is my bag but its great to stop by and see other folkses crafting too x I have your crochet snowflakes in my favourites LOL x
Posted by: Janet | March 09, 2011 at 05:36 PM
Lucy, you are so fortunate to have such old and castles in England. I lived in Europe several years and touring castles was my favorite thing to do. What a wonderful day out you must have had.
Posted by: Glyndalyn | March 09, 2011 at 03:50 PM
Beautiful! You're so lucky to have that right there next to you. And it's so springy where you are! We are still buried under several feet of snow here. :( At least I can see the spring flowers by visiting your blog!
Posted by: Katherine of Kitten's Lost Her Mittens | March 09, 2011 at 01:27 PM
What an enchanting blank canvast to wander through and imagine your own furnishings into.
Posted by: Jaime | March 09, 2011 at 02:23 AM
The photos are beautiful, but you totally neglected to identify the castle and location????
Posted by: Mare | March 08, 2011 at 10:06 PM
The day we went to Skipton Castle last summer, we went to the open air performance of The Tempest. It was absolutely marvellous to enjoy Shakespeare in the open air and sunshine and seeing the castle walls soaking up the sun. We especially liked the old twisty tree that grows in the courtyard. We thought it looked magical, ancient and full of secrets - or maybe we just have an over-active imagination!
Posted by: Jayne | March 08, 2011 at 08:38 PM
Wow! Such a beautiful place! I think it is so charming to have a castle in your town..and right at the top of High Street! Perfect! I also love your fun furniture finds in the post following (well...actually on top of this one visually-hehehe-I guess I should say your more recent post!) It is so inspiring seeing all that you do! Thanks for sharing your creativity!
Have a grand day!
Posted by: keri | March 08, 2011 at 07:53 PM
this remember me Arundel Castle :-)!!
Posted by: mar | March 08, 2011 at 06:46 PM
Such beautiful snowdrops - they are so delicate, but look a bit robust in a big group like that!
I love your photos of Yorkshire. There are so many places that need to be explored.
Posted by: Gracie | March 08, 2011 at 10:41 AM
Oh Lucy, so many snowdrops in one place?!?! I've never seen this before! Amazing!
Posted by: Eri | March 08, 2011 at 08:25 AM
I've said this before but Skipton castle is my most favourite place in the world. I first visited with my primary school in Kelbrook when I was 10 and I still marvel at the beautiful tree in the Courtyard and the long drop toilet which captured my imagination more than 20 yrs ago! I even took a boyfriend on a date there once which must have done the trick as he's now my husband! ;D
Posted by: Pen @ Oliver Boliver | March 08, 2011 at 07:20 AM
I adore the snowdrops (and crocuses) .... they are so spectacular! I'm always happy to see three or four pop up in my garden. The views from the castle are amazing too.
Posted by: Sueal | March 08, 2011 at 06:19 AM
Thank you so much - you gifted a lovely spring castle-romantic mood to me :)
Hugs,
Tatyana
Posted by: Tatkis | March 08, 2011 at 05:39 AM
beautiful! thank you for sharing.
it makes me want to return to the outlander series.
and reminds me of the ruin, more than a castle, i grew up 10 minutes from. :)
Posted by: Christine | March 08, 2011 at 05:25 AM
Hi Lucy, The pictures are really nice.I did a little bit of castle-ing myself through your pictures. Thank you for this lovely post.
Posted by: Jyothsna | March 08, 2011 at 04:46 AM
I love your site, look at it every day to see what you have new posted. Thanks so much for letting me visit your world and look at a view through the window of a real castle. Pretty sure we don't have any castles here in Alabama, USA. I have started your ripple blanket as it caught my eye the first time I visited your site. I am loving it and can't wait to have my very own Ta-Da moment!
Posted by: J | March 08, 2011 at 02:43 AM
TRuly breathtaking! Thanks for sharing. Sure beats the office wall I get to look at today!
Posted by: Kim L. | March 08, 2011 at 12:04 AM
Love your Castle Lucy, how wonderful. Yorkshire truly is a beautiful part of England, and I am looking forward to coming back later in the year.
Cheers from sunny/rainy Australia
Posted by: Pam Capstick | March 07, 2011 at 11:09 PM
Such beautiful pictures. What a luxury to have your 'own' castle close by... And those flowerbeds are simply enchanting! Kind regards, Floortje
Posted by: Floortje Wartenbergh | March 07, 2011 at 11:09 PM
Yes, you are so very fortunate to have so much history right near your home. We have had an interest in Henry the VIII and the Tudors, and enjoy watching BBC programing and many of the plays. To walk the same grounds and paths that those people walked many years ago must be awesome.
Posted by: Susanne Tyree | March 07, 2011 at 11:02 PM