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Author
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Topic: Castles in Wales
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#fred10#
Member
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posted 07-06-2004 10:33 PM
  
I was just wondering what part of Wales would be the 'best' to visit for castles. I know there are wonderful castles all over the country, but, say, for 'beginners' to check out a few castles as a tour. Maybe if someone could just direct me in a general area--North, South, Northeast, etc. This would be very helpful! Especially if you are knowledgable about castles in Wales. Thank you. |
Peter
Member
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posted 07-07-2004 03:19 PM
Hi Fred,
wellll, as a North Walian I'd of course asy that North Wales has the best castles.
But in all honesty there is a good selection of castles all over our small country. For castles related to Edward I you would have course need to come to the north.
Seeing any castles sites would of course depend on how you are travelling ?
If by car it does make the task easier.
I do have some spare leaflets on Welsh castles. And I surely don't mind whizzing them along to you. You only have e-mail me. But you must mark your e-mail 'castleswales'.
And if you want good solid information on other things relating to Wales, just ask me.
But please note, my e-mail address may be changing in 10-days or so.
Peter
ps.
if you check up your Welsh map you will see I live in Flintshire. In handy distance of Ewloe, Caergwrle, Fflint, Hawarden, Ruthin, Denbigh, Rhuddlan, etc.
Even the walled city of Chester is close by. |
#fred10#
Member
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posted 07-07-2004 08:31 PM
Thank you, Peter. When you say to email you, does that mean directly? I wasn't sure about the email address? Just let me know how to go about that.Just curious of your thoughts about Pembroke/Pembrokeshire. Are there many castles in that area and if so, would they be close enough to each other to visit in say, a weeks time. I'm still in the thought process as to how I want to go about traveling as what would be the easiest and most inexpensive way to castle hop. I was hoping to find a guide in a certain area that would take us to individual castles and go through them and give us some history. Possibly with a small group. I would definitely be interested in any information. Thanks again. |
Peter
Member
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posted 07-08-2004 04:33 PM
Hi Fed,
yes, there are many excellent castles in the area you mentioned.
A week ... you could do most of Wales in a week!
As to finding a guide for a small group. That may be bit tricker. That hints at transport problems unless they were enough to say, fit in seven-seater people carrier. As to the history side. That could be organised like a C.S.G. conference;
ie: an information pack on the selected sites with a little more fill detail whaen visited. Even the best of folk keep notes when visiting mote than 3/4 sites.
As to e-mail, just go to my detail box above this and use the link there.
Peter |
castleuk
unregistered
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posted 07-08-2004 05:48 PM
Hi Fred
I've just come back from a castle hunt in Pembrokeshire.
All the big stone castles are on the net but you do need transport to get to them.
Its a lovely area and the trip was very enjoyable, I always make a list of all the castles in the area, with some on the way in and out, 158 castle sites in total but you do need Ordnance Survey Landranger maps to find them.
I can send you the list if you want, just drop me a e-mail, Chris www.castleuk.net
The castle location website. |
Levan
Moderator
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posted 07-09-2004 05:35 AM
Take a look at this excellent site - specialising Welsh castles: http://www.castlewales.com/home.html I'd do a tour of the coast, taking in the great castles of Caernarfon, Conwy, Harlech, Pembroke, and Beaumaris (just for starters). I'd also like to get in some of the native Welsh castles although in most instances these are either very derilict or superceded by the castles of Edward I. |
#fred10#
Member
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posted 07-09-2004 11:11 AM
Thank you all for your help. Levan, I actually had that site bookmarked and have been looking at it for quite some time. I like that site because of the castle map locator. I see that North Wales has excellent castles to see! I think these are the castles that you have mentioned.(They're all excellent of course!)The biggest thing for me, of course, is getting a flight, probably into Heathrow, as we have relatives in Oxford, and then I guess getting a train to Wales, which is quite a distance from Oxford I'd say, and then finding a small group and guide to tour with to look at these wonderful castles! Also, finding a 'nice' place to stay. All without spending a huge amount of money! Anyway, thank you for your responses and if anyone has any info of any sort, you can post it or email me directly. Thanks again. |
Levan
Moderator
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posted 07-10-2004 06:02 PM
You could try a flight into Birmingham - there are plenty of international flights form most destinations. Birmingham has much more convenient road routes into North Wales; Oxford is six of one and half a dozen of the other. Main benefit of Birmingham airport is that you'll get out of there much quicker than Heathrow.Nearby to Birmingham airport are Warwick Castle (simply stunning) and Kenilworth Castle (a ruin but immense).
Train journeys into Wales to any destination other than Cardiff are extremely painful - you'll certainly struggle to do your castleing that way (although Conwy is on the Holyhead Irish ferry route); I think you'll find hiring a car the only practical option. Incidently, if you do end up driving via the midlands, two castles I'd certainly visit en-route - albeit in England on the Welsh border are Ludlow (the market town is also delightful with more top class restaurants than any other British town or city outside London) and nearby Stokesay Castle - a small fortified manor house - wonderful - and one of the main inspirations to me buying my own castle - I realised they could be liveable in! England and Wales have hundreds of reasonable bed-and-breakfast establishments, and also inns that provide much better value and far more characterful than the majority of hotels. Try http://www.smoothhound.co.uk/ for some options. If you have particular sites in mind, let me know as there area number of establishments for which I would be happy to make personal recommendations. Levan [This message has been edited by Levan (edited 07-10-2004).] |
#fred10#
Member
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posted 07-11-2004 04:02 PM
Thank you for some more input on travelling ideas. I really appreciate it.I have been to Kenilworth, once when I was two, which I don't remember much, and again when we were visiting in July of 2001. I really love Kenilworth--beautiful! I have checked into a couple of travel places. I did find one that has services that 'helps' you get on your way while visiting. They set up the vacation destination for you, which places you would like to see. They explain the transportation system and the layout of the land for you while visiting, and then they send you on your way. So, there is a tour guide, but he/she doesn't travel with you, they're just there to help if you need it.
I just find that a bit scary since my husband and I are not familiar with the country or driving by ourselves, for that matter! It is quite a bit different than here. That's why we would feel more comfortable in a small group where you stay in one hotel and travel to the areas of interest. I'll keep looking. If we do this trip, it won't be until next summer. But, I do want to be prepared and have a great vacation without spending thousands! It also depends on our economy, if flight tickets are outrageous, as they have been recently, we'll have to pass. Anybody over there have a weeks time off to take my husband and I around to different castles and other sites?! We'll pay you! Just kidding! But, I would be a nice thought! I'm still most interested in North Wales, but I see that's probably farthest from Oxford. I still need to do more investigating. Thanks again and any more ideas, send them my way! | |
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