Castles of Interest

[floragord]

Our nearest, Pevensey Castle (Pevensey, East Sussex), is stunning, always a useful destination for visiting friends from overseas as well... Hever is heavenly too, what super photos Lucky Star. I can never decide whether I enjoy Bodiam or Scotney more, will have another muse visiting Scotney tomorrow, weather permitting, for an alfresco luncheon

[floragord]

Our nearest, Pevensey Castle (Pevensey, East Sussex), is stunning, always a useful destination for visiting friends from overseas as well... Hever is heavenly too, what super photos Lucky Star. I can never decide whether I enjoy Bodiam or Scotney more, will have another muse visiting Scotney tomorrow, weather permitting, for an alfresco luncheon

PS: the sun shone from a delphinium blue sky, the romantic gardens were full of roses and the fromage de chevres quiche and salad alone were worth the journey - highly recommended if you are around Scotney some time

[Courtenay]

Sounds like a lovely day, Floragord. I visited Scotney Castle earlier this year, but though it was a lovely site, I must admit I was rather turned off it when I heard the history of the castle — that it was actually intact and liveable up to the 1830s, until the latest heir decided to build the grandiose new house on the hill and destroy most of the old castle to make a romantic folly at the bottom of the garden. I suppose it must have made financial sense at the time, but I was left shuddering to think what Britain's architectural heritage would be like today if every inheritor of a grand old building had decided it would look better as a picturesque ruin.

[Chrissie777]

Sounds like a lovely day, Floragord. I visited Scotney Castle earlier this year, but though it was a lovely site, I must admit I was rather turned off it when I heard the history of the castle — that it was actually intact and liveable up to the 1830s, until the latest heir decided to build the grandiose new house on the hill and destroy most of the old castle to make a romantic folly at the bottom of the garden.

I tried to visit Scotney Old Castle in May 1981, Courtenay and Floragord, it was closed to the public on that particular week day. However a very kind gardener let us on the property, so we were able to take a few pics from the outside of the building. But I've never seen the house on the hill.

Bodium Castle is quite impressive, I went up to the towers. I remember that later I've seen it in one of the two historical movies with Robert Taylor which were filmed in the UK way back in the 1950's.

Have you ever been to Leeds Castle near London? It's on a small lake and built over 2 or 3 little islands, maybe artificial islands similar to those from Château Chenonceau on the river Cher, France. We reached Leeds Castle around 4 p.m., but as they close at 5 p.m., they did not let any more tourists inside. So it's still on my large wish list of trips.

[Courtenay]

Haven't been to Leeds Castle yet, Chrissie, but it's not far from here, so I should. I have been to Bodiam Castle and really enjoyed it. They had an audio adventure game you could play while you were there, in which you had to track down which historical character was plotting a murder, choosing which path to follow and who to talk with or eavesdrop on! (The dialogue was all contained within an audio device that you activated at different points around the castle.) I did successfully solve the mystery, which was quite exciting and brought the castle to life a lot more - it made you think about the different kinds of people who lived or worked there in medieval times and what kind of lives they may have led.

[Chrissie777]

Courtenay, that sounds like a lot of fun!
Did you ever participate in a "Murder Weekend" at a hotel?
I've seen that advertised in the past and it must be quite exciting and a challenge to one's detective skills.

[Rob Houghton]

Not a castle, but I've always wanted to visit Belton House, the setting for the TV series 'Moondial' by Helen Cresswell. Not only was it used in the BBC serial but it was the real-life setting of the book.

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/belton-house

[Chrissie777]

It's lovely. Reminds me a bit of Woburn Abbey.

[floragord]

Oddly, every time we visit Scotney there are some major changes, perhaps the owners were unusually restless and the NT continue the tradition and don't leave well alone I'm sure you'll enjoy looking round the house on a future visit, Chrissie, they seem to open new rooms regularly! Bodiam is delightful, we've enjoyed their medieval reenactment and archery days - I'm rather addicted to the attractive tearoom on a sunny day, and the shop on any day ! I used to be involved in escorting holidays for learning difficulty clients for some years and one of the most frequent destinations was Leeds Castle, absolutely delightful, and magical all dressed up for Christmas!

[John Pickup]

Not a castle, but I've always wanted to visit Belton House, the setting for the TV series 'Moondial' by Helen Cresswell. Not only was it used in the BBC serial but it was the real-life setting of the book.

We visit Belton House several times a year, Rob. It's a magnificent stately home with Italian and Dutch themed gardens and we're lucky it is only 45 minutes drive away. There is always something to do or see whatever the time of year.

[Rob Houghton]

Funnily enough I've never visited it, even though it's not all that far away from us. Ever since I first watched Moondial, I have felt it was a place worth visiting! In a way it reminds me a lot of Calke Abbey, which I've visited a few times and always enjoy.

[Eddie Muir]

Chick and I have visited Belton House several times and I actually bought a copy of Helen Cresswell's Moondial in the National Trust gift shop there, which she kindly signed for me at an Enid Blyton Day. The television serialisation was superb and I used it and the book as teaching aids for my English classes in 1988. My pupils loved both the book and the TV adaptation.

[number 6]

Visited Belton house a number of times over the years. it's only about an hours drive away. One notable visit was when Time Team were doing a excavational dig there & I got to chat with Tony Robinson for a few mins.

[Moonraker]

Haven't been to Leeds Castle yet, Chrissie, but it's not far from here

Many followers of Downton Abbey turn up at Downton in Wiltshire, looking for it. I wonder how many people travel to Leeds to look for the castle?

[floragord]

Apparently a regular procession of people turn up at Berwick (Sussex) by rail, intending to travel to Berwick-(on-Tweed)