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Author Topic:   Help in trip planning to see as many castles as possible
jeffrowland
Member
posted 09-24-2000 11:35 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for jeffrowland   Click Here to Email jeffrowland     Edit/Delete Message
Hi, Am begginning to plan my first trip to Great Britian. Having a fasination with castles I wish to spend most of my time visiting as many castles as possible. I'm most interested in view the older castles that are inhabitable, in ruins etc.

What I would like help on is trying to plan
my vacaction around particular area in England, Wales or Scotland that I could visit the most castles in a limited amount of time.
I will be visiting for either a week or two weeks. Any suggestions, tips on where I might vocus my vaction to see the most castles in the limited amount of time I have and for my first trip abroad?
Thanks

Levan
Moderator
posted 09-24-2000 03:32 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Levan   Click Here to Email Levan     Edit/Delete Message
Wow! I bet there's a few folks on CastleQuest who given the time wouls happily act as a personal guide!

An indication of time of year would help us to make recommendations, as many properties have restricted opening hours.

As a side issue, if you like castles so much, why not actually stay in one too - there are a wide range of Scottish castles, and a few in England that are now open as hotels.

Levan

Philip Davis
unregistered
posted 09-24-2000 04:23 PM           Edit/Delete Message
Presuming you've never visited before I'd suggest that you start with just a few great castles and not try to cram to many in. A castle enjoyed and savoured for some hours will easily beat 3 rushed through.
The Tower of London would take the better part of a day to see properly on it's own and London traffic would prevent a visit anywhere else on the same day. Dover Castle would take a good half day to visit but a relatively quick trip would take you to Leeds castle for the rest of the day.
An early start and some careful driving could fit Hedingham, Framlingham and Orford which,combined with a trip to the reconstructed motte and bailey at Stansted Mont Fichet, would give a pretty comprehensive idea of the varity of Norman Castles. The four great Edwardian castles of Conwy, Caernarfon, Beaumaris and Harlech in North Wales can just be fitted into one day but with little justice done to these. Take two days in North Wales and possible add Flint or Cricceth castles if you have a spare moment. The fortified Manor of Stokesay in Shropshire close to the welsh border is a small castle but much beloved by many and easily combined with a trip to Ludlow, Clun, Hay and several other small marcher castles. In the North of England Bamburgh is spectacularly sighted and Alnwick and Warkworth are within easy reach.
These castles are just the tip of the iceberg and I'm sure others would have others in their list (Warwick for example).

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And as I rode by Dalton-Hall Beneath the turrets high, A maiden on the castle-wall Was singing merrily: The Outlaw by Sir Walter Scott
http://www.castlesontheweb.com/members/philipdavis/index.html

wurdsmiff
unregistered
posted 09-25-2000 12:45 PM           Edit/Delete Message
Here's part of a reply I gave to some unfortunate soul who had a similar question a while back, plus a bit more. By all accounts they enjoyed their visit, though only managed a day in Scotland, and couldn't get around too much of the country.
I would also suggest car hire as a means of transport if feasible.
Sarting in the South West, then going north by the coast you could visit Culzean ( pron. Cullayne), really a large mansion now, but with an ancient and difficult to discern fortified core!! There you will find an American connection since there is a room dedicated to Eisenhower. In the area around Culzean there are many smaller towers, such as the castle of Maybole within the town itself, the fortified sections of the Abbey of Crossraguel, and if you like Golf, visit the famed Open course at Turnberry, part of which stands on the site of one of the alleged birthplaces of Robert the Bruce. There are public rights of way across the course to the beach, the castle site is identified by the name of the green which stands on it. The scenery is superb, but castle wise there isn't much to see.
Going north to Largs, there is a country park at Kelburne, which surrounds the ancient tower of the Earls of Glasgow, then north again to Levan, home to our moderator. Further north again is Newark, within the small industrial centre of Port Glasgow, an impressive castle with great views up the Clyde and across to Dumbarton . Newark is an early keep with later extensions, maintained by Historic Scotland where joining 'Friends of Historic Scotland' would be advisable if you wanted to gain free admission to Dumbarton, Stirling or Edinburgh amongst others. Crossing Clyde at the Erskine Bridge(hence avoiding Glasgow), turn back west, into Dumbarton if you want to visit the castle which is now really an 18th century military installation, or by pass Dumbarton by staying on the A82 and go up Loch Lomondside 'the bonnie bonnie banks'. Follow thesigns for Inverary. Just a few miles before you reach it you will see Dunderave Castle on the shore of Fyne. Unfortunately private, though a typical and very well restored tower house and once the seat of the MacNaughtons. At Inverary there is the main seat of the campbells, though again full of history and artefacts (and weaponry on display) the original castle is long gone, and this is not a fortified house.
From there you can choose the long coast road to Oban via Lochgilphead, passing Kilmartin and Carnasserie (open). Alternatively go under the white arch to take the road to Oban via Lochawe, at the head of which you can visit Kilchurn Castle(pron Kilhoorn). At Oban you can (if you are fit) visit Dunollie, and a few miles outwith, Dunstaffnage. You could return by the route you did not take, and cut across to Stirling via Doune then over the Forth move down the east coast visiting Dunbar, the precariously sited Fast Castle, and into the castle rich border country (where the very small but well preserved Smailholm Tower is worth a visit). Next explore Northumberland in sassenach country! There's a start with a definate bias toward my favoured area, though there are many other areas worth visiting.And if you want to roam freely about a castle ruin, Bothwell is well worth a visit on the SE outskirts of Glasgow. Wherever you go in Scotland you will see privately renovated and occupied castles, many of which are not open to visitors. You will also see many ruins and sites. Buy a good castle gazeteer, like Castles of Scotland by Martin Coventry, which will soon be available in a third edition.
Basing yourself in Ediburgh , or nearby, for a day or two would allow a days visit to Stirling, and Doune, with another day for Edinburgh Castle, and Craigmillar amongst others. The Gordon District of Aberdeenshire is known as castle country, and is littered with ruins and sites many of which are open to the public. North of Aberdeen, Fraserburgh has the Kinnaird Head Lighthouse, a converted tower house, then on to Rosehearty allows views of Pitullie and closer inspection of the ruined massive keep of the Forbes family at Pitsligo, just up the hill. Access is limited here due to the dangerous nature of the building, but it's well worth a visit. The view from the rear is like looking at a cut away illustration of the castle, since a large part of that building has fallen, and you can examine the layout from outwith the courtyard.
Further up the hill you can view the ancient church ruins, next to it's later successor, (say hello to some of my maternal ancestors in the passing!). Wherever you go in Scotland you will be seduced by the scenery, in both the variety and beauty.
This is a small sample of what is available, though follow Levan's advice first, and then ask for detailed directions and visiting advice.

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'Give me the groves that lofty brave,
The storms, by Castle Gordon'.
Visit my web-site at
www.castlesontheweb.com/members/wurdsmiff/castles.htm

Gordon.

[This message has been edited by wurdsmiff (edited 09-25-2000).]

jeffrowland
Member
posted 09-29-2000 06:22 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for jeffrowland   Click Here to Email jeffrowland     Edit/Delete Message
Thanks to all for the replies. Haven never been to Europe and just beginning my research would welcome your suggestion on time of year to best make my visit.
I would love to stay overnight in a actual castle and would love to take advantage of Bread and Breakfeast accomdations.

The suggestion about not trying to cram in as many castles as I could focus on a few has me thinking this might be the best choice since this is my first trip overseas and also wish to take in the scenery, landscapes and local museums.

wurdsmiff
unregistered
posted 09-30-2000 03:37 AM           Edit/Delete Message
Miss the main tourist season, and the winter by coming in spring or autumn.
Many properties are closed in winter, and adds to the sense of coming at these times. I'd suggest just after easter.

------------------
'Give me the groves that lofty brave,
The storms, by Castle Gordon'.
Visit my web-site at
www.castlesontheweb.com/members/wurdsmiff/castles.htm

Gordon.

duncan
Senior Member
posted 09-30-2000 06:38 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for duncan   Click Here to Email duncan     Edit/Delete Message
April is very good. The people you'll meet will be some of the most friendliest you will ever encounter any where. Even if you only stay for a day your travels will be unforgetable. Take the time to stop and explore if something catches your eye and don't worry what time of the day it is.

All times are PT (US)

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