Nevern Castle *Free Site*

Parking is on the road and then a uneven trek to the site
There isn't much to see at this site but its tranquil and ideal for a picnic
un staffed
Dogs welcome
There are a couple of picnic benches at the site
Best Bit -  The dramatic setting of the castle site, make sure you see the pilgrim stone and the church while in Nevern
see:
http://www.castlewales.com/nevern.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-15153026

Carew Castle

Parking very close to the castle
Short walk on the level to the castle, On my visit I spotted two people in a wheelchair enjoying the site
Ideal for rainy days
Staff great and very welcoming
Dogs on leads welcome
Toilets near the car park and the castle
A few places to sit, picnic benches
interesting site with plenty of history
Best Bit - Tidal Mill and Castle pond, there is plenty to sketch it's very photogenic site with good light

see:
http://www.pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk/?PID=262

http://www.castlewales.com/carew.html

Apotropaic Marks Found In Cottage In Mid-Wales

Sorry this isn't a castle write up but something I felt I had to share, during a visit to collect a art nouveau fire place for restoration in Mid-Wales, by chance we got talking to the owner who invited us in the see these markings on the beams in her newly restored cottage.

For all those that don't know Apotropaic means supposedly having the power to avert evil influences or bad luck.

These marks dating from around the 1550 and ending widespread roughly 1750 (although some places these still continue) In an age when the church was in turmoil and printing was in its infancy, local superstitions & belief systems were deeply entrenched.
Rural life was thick with magic to keep evil at bay.  In a time where witches existed, crops failed and children died in infancy
People believed that if you could bolt the door and bar the windows against the theft, cold and evil you would remain safe unless it came via the chimney, which of course opened to the sky, there fore left vulnerable, particularly for incursions of the evil.
These cuts, marks, burns in the wood beams were just one of the ways to ward off curses, hexes and evil doings, a single shoe or boot was often incorporated into roof. Interesting one of those was also found at the cottage!

 

Photos are copyrighted to me

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Sherborne Old Castle

Small paid car park by the castle, which is free for members and blue badge holders
From the car park there is a approximate 50 yard walk to the ticket office which is a slight slope upwards and
another 50 yard walk into the castle grounds
There is plenty of places to sit and sketch, this is not the most impressive site but worth a visit none the less
Toilets is a small portable  cubicle at the back of the ticket office
This is a staffed site and the custodian was extremely helpful and friendly.
No Dogs allowed - except guide dogs (Shame really as I can't see a reason for this)

See: http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/sherborne-old-castle/

St Illtyd's Church & Old Priory - Caldey Island

To get to Caldey Island you have to catch a small boat from Tenby
At the time of writing this the price is £11 for Adults
You need to be abled bodied and be able to climbs steps however I did notice there are wheelchairs to hire on the island

Parking in Tenby is always difficult but there are a few all day car parks, even with your Blue badge expect to pay around £3
It is not a very good option for a very wet day and expect the boats not to be working in bad weather
the island is free to go on too and the few shops are staffed
Dogs on leads are welcome
Toilets including disabled ones in the Island village
A few benches and resting area's
Best Bit -
The Old Priory and St Illtyd's Church are the oldest buildings on Caldey Island. In medieval times the Priory was home to Benedictine monks but has been unoccupied since the Dissolution of the Monasteries.
St Illtyd's Church though is still a consecrated Roman Catholic Church.

It is a very tranquil and  atmospheric site

See:
http://www.caldey-island.co.uk/

Battle Abbey

Parking is behind the abbey, it has disabled parking but you have to pay for this service
Not so good for rainy days as the best part of the site is the battle fields
Staffed, who are friendly but busy
Dogs Welcome
Toilets including disabled ones
A few benches and resting area's
Best Bit - The vaulted abbey

see:
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/1066-battle-of-hastings-abbey-and-battlefield/

West Kennet Long Barrow, Avebury, Silbury Hill *FREE SITE*

Silbury Hill
The largest man-made mound in Europe, mysterious Silbury Hill compares in height and volume to the roughly contemporary Egyptian pyramids.

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/silbury-hill/

Dogs Welcome
Toilets in the Village (Drive away)
no where to sit or rest
Parking in a layby
Steep walk up hill ( I couldn't do it) 

West Kennet Long Barrow

One of the largest, most impressive and most accessible Neolithic chambered tombs in Britain. Built in around 3650 BC, it was used for a short time as a burial chamber, nearly 50 people being buried here before the chambers were blocked.

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/west-kennet-long-barrow/

Dogs Welcome
Toilets in the Village ( A drive away)
No where to sit or rest
parking in a layby, 15 to 20 minute walk mostly uphill
A magical site and well worth the effort

 

AveburyAvebury rivals - some would say exceeds - Stonehenge as the largest, most impressive and complex
prehistoric site in Britain.

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/avebury/

Dogs Welcome
Toilets in the Village
I couldn't find anywhere to sit or rest
Parking, there is a parking area in the middle of the village which allows disabled parking
You can walk as much or as little as you like
loads to see, photograph and sketch

Here is the painting that my visit inspired...