Irish Tintern Abbey *Free Site*

There is a large well surfaced car park on the same level as the Abbey
Access is very very good as mostly on ground level
Brilliant for Rainy days
No dogs inside the Abbey Complex
Toilets
There are a couple of resting area's

I visited this site in the winter and the site was closed however you can walk a good part of the outer abbey and look in but what may this place special is the settlement surrounding the abbey it is truly a awesome place and would recommend to visit to all

Best Bit - This castle has a lovely magical feel about it, great energies, well worth a visit

See:

http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/tinternabbey/

 

 

Dunbrody Abbey *Free Site*

Large Level well surfaced car park at Dunbrody visitors centre
During the tourist season you can pay to gain access to the inside of the abbey, visitors centre and enclosed attractions
I visited the site in the winter period and walked the outer walls of the abbey which was enough for me
From the car park there is a approximate 200 yard walk to the abbey which is mostly level.

It is a nice site, although I did not see any resting places so not ideal for sketching or having a picnic
Dogs are welcome
Toilets when the visitors centre is open

See: http://www.dunbrodyabbey.com/

Clonmines [Private Site]

Sadly you can't gain access to this site however you get a pretty good view from here:
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=52.256134,-6.755338&num=1&t=m&z=17

You might like to see:
http://irishantiquities.bravehost.com/wexford/clonmines/clonmines.html

From the Google link given above there is a car park which was very uneven with massive pot holes so please be careful, there is also a slip was into the estuary, it is the most magical place and very much worth the detour, also from the car park you can see a Cornish engine house one of few that were exported to Ireland.

Cornish Engine house situated behind the car park

This was a painting done from my above photo by Myles Mansfield
It goes to show what a picturesque place this area is!

Saint Mullins *FREE SITE*

There is a large car park down from the site which is a bit of a up hill trek but paved all the way up to the site, there is also a few spaces just outside the graveyard area, I would think in summer these go quickly and could not see parking especially for disabled visitors.
This site would just about be okay on a wet dull day
There is a donation asked for to gain access to the Visitors centre around the 3 Euro mark.
The staff are overly friendly keen to share there knowledge of the artefacts in the centre and the area
Guide Dogs Only in the centre but the outside areas are dog friendly
Public Toilets
Loads of  benches resting and picnic area's - lovely to sit and sketch / paint and very photographic
Best Bit - Saint Moling's well, it is very magical and has easy access
See:
http://stmullinsheritagecentre.com/

One of the saddest thinks I learnt from my visit to St Mullins is that the Grid Link Project is a proposed plan by EirGrid to erect a corridor of 400kV electricity super pylons from Wexford to Kildare. There are four proposed routes, two of which run through St. Mullins and the most beautiful and scenic areas ...of County Carlow. To preserve our unspoiled St Mullins landscape for future generations log on to http://saveourheartland.com/ to make a submission to Eirgrid before the deadline of 26th November 2013. It's easy, just clic on the linkhttp://www.saveourheartland.com/homepage/how-you-can-help/make-a-submission-to-eirgrid

Slade Castle *Free Site*

Parking is a little difficult when the harbour is busy in the summer months but in winter
you can park pretty close to the castle but watch out you don't block any ones driveway.

As the area is all on one level access is good

Not suitable for wet / windy days
Dogs welcome
Public Toilets near the castle
A few benches and resting area's
Wildly romantic castle in a small fishing harbour superb to sketch / paint / photograph
Best Bit -  Just soak up the atmosphere, imagine the hustle and bustle of yesteryear

 

see:

http://irisharchaeology.ie/2013/02/slade-castle-co-wexford/

 

 

 

Kaunos Amphitheatre, Dalyan

Kaunos Amphitheatre near Dalyan

The remains of ancient Kaunos include a Roman amphitheatre but also on the site a Byzantine basilica, the Roman bath
Access is pretty good but it's a good walk and uneven ground
The toilets are spotlessly clean, staff friendly and plenty to see.

Fethiye Castle *FREE SITE*

Access is via a very steep at times unstable grass / rock through very old part of the town, some village people living there and interesting characters
It doesn't really have much see a lot of ruins to the back there is no regulated entry
It was built by Knights of St John. There is also a Fethiye museum but not near castle

Marmaris Castle

Parking is on the side of the road
Access is up a steep flight of steps with no resting places apart from bars / cafes
Süleyman the Magnificent built Marmaris Castle during the 16th century on top of older fortifications dating back millennia for his expedition against Rhodes. it has recently been restored to the tune of almost 700,000 Turkish Lira

See:
http://www.marmaristown.com/marmaris-castle-museum.asp

Loughor Castle *FREE SITE* ... 100TH POST!

Parking is on the side of the road no layby but the road is wide enough
Access is up a steep bank this is not a visitor frindly site
Not good for rainy days but as your only there 10 minutes or so it's no big deal
Dogs on leads
No toilets
There are no resting places no benches or seating,

You really have to go looking for this site, blink and you could miss it, there are no signs and the site is full of broken glass and rubbish

See: http://www.castlewales.com/loughor.html

Amathus

Parking is at the front of the entrance on a level
Access is mostly level but uneven ground
I showed my blue badge but still had to pay full entry fee
Not ideal for a rainy day as no shelter
No dogs
Small toilet block down a set of stairs
There are a few resting places and benches
This place is lovely to just sit and sketch, If you see no other ruin in Cyprus, this one is a must!
Very special and wonderful views allow a few hours to enjoy the site
See:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amathus

http://www.mcw.gov.cy/mcw/DA/DA.nsf/All/D20ED526826AB796C225719B00374A92?OpenDocument

Kolossi Castle

Parking is right outside it and access is easyI showed my disabled blue badge but we still had to pay full price, although this is very cheap compared to u.k prices
Access is via a steep set of stairs, there are stairs inside the castle too,.
The castle is empty so not much to see in it however it is a rainy day option
No dogs
There are plenty places to rest and sit in the castle area

See:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolossi_Castle

http://www.cypruscastles.com/kolossi.htm

Limassol Castle

Parking is a little difficult to find but go out the centre a little a park in a side road
I showed my disabled blue badge and both me and my carer got in for free, however I think this is not standard practise but always worth asking!
Access is via a steep set of stairs, there are stairs inside the castle too
All indoors so a great option for a rainy day
No dogs
Brilliant toilets on ground level
There are plenty places to rest and sit in the castle area

The castle is in a square surrounded by small restaurants, My top tip is to go to 'TO FRORIO', the food is excellent, the best value for money and the owner is so lovely and welcoming!

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g190382-d1098274-Reviews-To_Frourio-Limassol_Limassol_District.html

See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limassol_Castle

http://www.mcw.gov.cy/mcw/DA/DA.nsf/All/5A9D613873FBB2DFC22571990020A1C0

St Lythans Burial Chamber *FREE SITE*

Parking is on the side of the road no layby but the road is wide enough
Access is through a gate, a slight climb up to the area but mostly level grass
Not so good for rainy days but as your only there 10 minutes or so it's no big deal
Dogs on leads
No toilets
There are no resting places no benches or seating, however on a sunny day you could take a picnic
and enjoy the peace of the area

Best Bit - You can go right up to it and stand in it

See:http://cadw.wales.gov.uk/daysout/stlythansburialchamber/?lang=en

 

Old Beaupre Castle * FREE SITE*

Old Beaupre Castle

Parking is in a lay by, there is parking for about Three cars
Access is very difficult, as there is 3 very large sty's, if you have short legs like me your are a bit screwed, however with a lot of help and giggles
I got over every sty, theres a long walk which is mostly level with a slight hill up to the castle
It is well worth the effort if you can make it!
Brilliant for Rainy days
NO DOGS NO GUIDE DOGS
No toilets
there are no resting places no benches or seating

Best Bit - Carved Renaissance Porch

See:

http://cadw.wales.gov.uk/daysout/oldbeauprecastle/?lang=en

Tinkinswood Burial Chamber *FREE SITE*

Parking is in a lay by, there is parking for about Five Cars
Access is a bit tricky, you go through Two kissing gates and then a bit of a trek to the sitenot ideal for poor weather
Dogs on Leads
No toilets
there are no resting places no benches but a few low walls you can sit on

I wasn't overly impressed with this site but interesting all the same...See:

http://cadw.wales.gov.uk/daysout/tinkinswoodburialchamber/?lang=en

St Quentin's Castle *FREE SITE*

Parking is in a small car park on the same level as the castle
Access is very very good there are a few rails and a wind up talking history of the castle
Brilliant for Rainy days
Dog's on leads
No toilets
There are a couple of benches

Best Bit - This castle has a lovely magical feel about it, great energies, well worth a visit

See:

http://cadw.wales.gov.uk/daysout/stquentinscastlellanblethian/?lang=en