Castles

Castles of the North (2)

May 16, 2012

Here is our second fortnightly selection of Northern English Castles. Enjoy touring them online, or even better put something in your diary for a real “in the flesh” visit. The picture to the left is of Brougham Castle by the River Eamont in Cumbria, just outside Penrith. This was one of several castles in Cumbria [...]

A Selection of Northern England’s Castles [1]

May 2, 2012

The North of England from coast to coast was once a dangerous place. These borderlands were fought over for centuries and wealthy local families as well powerful barons erected defensive houses, some of which became more like fortress palaces, to protect themselves and their people. Today many of these great structures are open for public [...]

Visit a Northern England Castle – A Mystery Tour

May 1, 2012

Looking for ideas for a day out? The northern half of England has many splendid castles. Here I’ve put together a set of twentyfour, each of which can provide a good day or half-day out. They are spread from north Lincolnshire upwards, and from coast to coast as far as the Scottish border. Some have [...]

Barnard Castle and the Bowes Museum

February 7, 2012

Last weekend we paid an unscheduled visit to Barnard Castle. Our normal pattern when driving over the A66 between Cumbria and County Durham has been to fly past at 60 to 70 miles per hour on the way to or from somewhere or other. This time, however, a glance at the fuel gauge said quite [...]

Some Places to Visit in the Lake District

October 28, 2011

[Updated from a 2008 post]In addition to the lakes themselves there is a wide variety of things to do in the Lake District. There are places to visit ranging from the literary connections of Dove Cottage at Grasmere (home of the poet William Wordsworth) to the practicalities (although also with artistic potential) of the pencil [...]

Pendragon Castle in the Sunshine

October 18, 2011

As I said in a previous post about the Mallerstang Valley it can be a wild place. Last time I was there the pictures were of gloom: This past weekend, however, I saw it in a different light.

Pendragon Castle, Mallerstang, Cumbria

July 7, 2011

Of all the castles inherited by Lady Anne Clifford, Countess of Pembroke, in the 17th century Pendragon Castle must have been in the wildest and most remote-feeling location of them all. The Mallerstang valley in Cumbria, between the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks, and just to the south of the North Pennines AONB [...]

Brougham Castle, Penrith, Cumbria

June 30, 2011

Recently I uploaded a post about Brough Castle, one of several in the Eden Valley area belonging to Lady Anne Clifford in the 17th century. Yesterday I snatched this quick shot of another of the long-ago residences of this remarkable lady, Brougham Castle, just outside Penrith and beautifully situated beside the River Eamont, the river [...]

Brough Castle in the Eden Valley, Cumbria

June 22, 2011

Brough Castle is passed by thousands of motorists every day as they plough past on the A66 between Cumbria and County Durham at whatever maximum speed the traffic will allow, hurrying towards or on the way down the Pennine slopes from Stainmore. Those using the Kirkby Stephen road pass even closer to the castle’s nine [...]

World Sheepdog Trials in Cumbria

June 14, 2011

In September Cumbria welcomes the World Sheepdog Trials to the parkland at Lowther Castle, near Penrith, Cumbria. More than 200 dogs and their handlers from over 20 nations will compete. Many thousands of spectators are expected at this prestigious event and its associated Food & Country Festival. A parade through Penrith is planned for Wednesday, [...]

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