Tretower Court and Castle

I cant count the times I have driven past this place over the years but never having the time to stop.
in a rush to get from A to B, I wonder how many other place go missed, lay undiscovered?
Tretower is a medieval fortified manor house with a 12 Centaury Motte & Bailey Castle
There is a large gravelled car park just outside the site gates, cross a quiet road through stunning wooden arched gates into small ticket / gift shop.

The site is mostly on one level but to go up to the second floor requires using several but accessible steps.
To the castle is approximately 100 yard walk over grass and bumpy ground
This is a brilliant site to see when it's wet because it's mostly indoors, cadw have reconstructed a lot, which is clearly done to help school kids use there imagination on visits.
Assistant dogs only
There are toilets are available
There are places to rest, picnic benches and ideal spots of sketch / photograph - all in all a great little cadw site.

Best Bit: The great hall & lambs bouncing around adjacent fields.

 see:
http://cadw.gov.wales/daysout/tretowercourtandcastle/?skip=1&lang=en

St Briavels *Free Site*

Every now and then one stumbles across a site that you wasn't expecting to be that good and it turns out to be awesome!

Although St Briavels is a free site and open to the public via English Heritage the access is only the inner courtyard.
However being cheeky and nosey I noticed the door to the 17th centaury chapel open so I crept in to have a bit of a nose, sadly curiosity is like a virus it takes hold and thus did my creeping until I stumbled on a member of the YHA staff, I explained my passion for castles and although extremely busy they offered to give me a quick tour round, my heart skipped a beat and couldn't contain my excitement or stop saying thank you!

First recorded mention of this castle is in 1129 so there is plenty of  history to be found on the internet about this site, personally it is the period after 1752 when the keep collapsed, the great hall had been demolished, later east tower collapsed in 1777 destroying the adjoining buildings. although it was still being used as a debtors’ prison until 1842.

The graffiti on the walls are just amazing, If I went back I would love to stay in gaol part just so I can read all that is writing on the wall

'Robin Belcher. The Day will come that thou shalt answer for it for thou hast sworn against me, 1671.'
We are told the Belcher family are very well know in the area, I wonder what he did to receive such a curse?

The other bit that excited me was tunnel that supposedly runs from the castles store pit to the nearest pub, although this pit has been partly excavated the tunnel hasn't!

Only Guide dogs are allowed on this site
You can also do ghost hunts in the castle but I don't really care for spooky stuff!

This is a brilliant little castle, It's access is pretty level and the car park is just outside, short walk into the inner courtyard, there are benches if you need to rest.
Not sure about general access to the toilets but I am sure if you asked you could use the YHA facilities.
I love the fact that this castle is in constant YHA use, when we visited the castle was full of kids, running around, playing games, drinking squash, using their imaginations, a castle squire in costume escorted bedazzled kids on the verge of adventure, the place was buzzing! All the members of staff all had happy faces, friendly, happy and proud of there little castle.
I left feeling jubilant!

See:
YHA
http://www.yha.org.uk/hostel/st-briavels

Wiki
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Briavels_Castle

E.H
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/st-briavels-castle/

Castle Wales
http://www.castlewales.com/stbrivls.html


Interestingly St Briavels has a chapter in ' Just leave the dishes' by Sue Garard - You can read this on google if you search - It's her visit to the Youth hostel with 8 Christian young gals in the 1970's

Turn Spit Dog - Turnespete - Dog Wheel

The other item that caught my interest was this Dog Wheel, I have known about them before but never actually saw one in situ, there is more to be found on this subject on this wiki page
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turnspit_Dog




1862 Illustration

My Photos
Copyrighted to me!

Llanthony Priory *Free Site*

Being a massive Turner fan and always admiring this drawings and paintings of Llanthony Priory,
it's been on my wish list for some years but as it's tucked out the way and then 6 miles down a narrow lane, it's by passed us a few times.

There is a B&B on site and camping so you might like to combine a visit that way because it really does look a very tranquil spot to hold up for a night.

Dogs on lead welcome
There are toilets just by the car park, which are well serviced and have easy access
The car park is large, level and gravelled
Onsite is a bar / snack / light refreshment outlet

The site has a romantic feel about it but from ground level it didn't live up to all that I had hoped, the arches are beautiful and great to sketch / photograph but I think it's the walkers that get to see the site nestled in the valley who really get to appreciate it the most!

Best bit: The valley and watching the baby bunnies that run about the site

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

Thornbury Castle [Private Site]

Thornbury Castle is a privately owned castle run as a hotel
You can actually stay in the room Henry the VIII and Anne Boleyn enjoyed as part of a ten-day retreat at Thornbury Castle on there honeymoon tour.

Work on the castle started in 1511  it was intended as a home for Edward Stafford, the Duke of Buckingham residence

You can look round the castle while enjoying a cream tea in the afternoon or e-mail reception I am sure they will let people have a quick look about.

The castle boast's Tudor gardens, although pretty they are not really inspiring.
If your staying at the hotel you can take your well behaved dog with you
 see:
www.thornburycastle.co.uk

Berkeley Castle

There is plenty of parking in a large level site just outside the ticket office
Short walk on a level path in the ticket office / gift shop.
Another short walk into a video room where you can wait for a free guided tour (recommended)
Exceptionally friendly & welcoming staff.
Guide dogs only
benches to sit outside and plenty of modern chairs to sit on in the rooms too
( I took advantage of these many times)
Best Bit - Great Hall, Wine Cellar - However there are so many amazing sections you will be spoilt for choice.
This is a fantastic castle to photograph and sketch, because here are so many sections
There is a Yurt Café for a cuppa on site but I recommend finding somewhere to eat.

Ideal for disabled people as mostly on level but those who can't get up stairs will be limited to the ground floor.

 

Note that the castle is closed during the winter so check website for more details

Disabled person pays & carer free - I recommend emailing in advance.

 see:
http://www.berkeley-castle.com/index.php

There is a lovely church and Dr Jenner's museum all within a short walk

Grosmont Castle *FREE SITE*

Parking is in the village, it is actually very hard to spot the sign for the castle as it's an old one
Short walk uphill on a gravel path then grass once up to the castle there a benches to rest ( I needed to rest before exploring the castle)
The castle it's self is pretty level, interesting sections to explore.
No Staff Or Toilets at this site
Dogs on lead welcome
Best Bit - 14 Century chimney
It is a nice quiet castle so you can explore / reflect at your leisure plenty to photograph and sketch
Lots of grass areas to have a picnic

 

 

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

Note: Skenfrith & White Castles are near..

Skenfrith Castle *FREE SITE*

Parking opposite the castle, it is limited but there is parking in the village
Short walk on a gravel path but mostly level few steps to access to the castle.
No Staff Or Toilets at this site
Dogs on lead welcome
A few places to rest
Best Bit - Walk down the river via an archway
The castle has a few pretty archways to photograph and sketch
Quiet place to have a picnic and all very pretty

 

 

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

Note: Grosmont & White Castles are near..

While in the village go check out St Bridget's Church, it's pretty awesome!
http://www.friendsofstbridgetsskenfrith.co.uk/

Photos Of St Bridgets

White Castle

Parking just out side the gates, it is limited but you can park down the road.
Short walk on a gravel path but mostly level access to the castle entrance
Staff great and very welcoming.
Dogs on lead welcome
A few places to sit and picnic benches
Best Bit - views from the tower & filled moat
Great castle to photograph and sketch, different angles and stunning scenery
Could enjoy a nice picnic here.

 

Note that the castle is closed during the winter so check website for more details

Disabled person & Carer free

 see:
http://cadw.wales.gov.uk/daysout/whitecastle/visitorinformation?lang=en

Note: Grosmont & Skenfrith Castles are near..