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..

 

 

Neuschwanstein Castle

There is a large well surfaced car park
Access is up a very steep & lengthy hill, there is a shuttle bus or horse and carriage service at a small charge (6 Euros up 3 euros down))
Once at the top access is good as mostly level
Brilliant for rainy days
No dogs allowed
Carer gets in free
Toilets
You can only view this castle via a tour, this is rushed and sadly you really don't see the castle as well as one would hope. the tour involves over 100 steps up and thus down
There are lots of resting area's outside the castle but none while doing the tour

 Best Bit - The views of the castle from Marienbrücke ( Marys Bridge) you need to be very mobile to get to this bridge  ( I couldn't do it so much husband took the photo below)

See:

www.neuschwanstein.de/

Albufeira / Ah-Buhera Castle *FREE SITE*

Albufeira area was mapped under Roman rule and was called Baltun during that time.
The Romans took Albufeira and attempted to transform it into an efficiently run city. They began agriculture, mining and commercial ventures, however a slow influx of Moorish settlers around the 8th centaury had taken place and over the years it adopted the name of Ah-Buhera, which meant "castle of the sea."
It was finally taken from the Moors in the middle of the 13th Century by the 'Knights of the Order of Santiago'.
Albufeira, like many Algarve towns, was a walled town and has the remains of a castle dating from Roman times but most of the castle along with the town, was destroyed in the 1755 earthquake. The most visible pointer to the castle remains is the Torre do Relógio (clock tower), which was built on one of the old castle towers.
In the resent archaeological dig they have found layers of the Islamic Albufeira (Al-Buhera) , this is near the site of the north gate of the castle wall.

Torre do Relógio once served as prison but now is host to a music school and not open to the public
Best bit... Opposite is a little museum (once was the city hall) which has a lot of roman and Moorish finds, cost just 1 euro, has great toilets and seating both inside and out

See:http://www.cm-albufeira.pt/portal_autarquico/albufeira/v_pt-PT/menu_turista/concelho/cultura/MuseuArqueologia/

Torre do Relógio