A day out in Wales visiting Castles is always a great day out and today was no exception. After a 10am start we drove across the Severn into Wales and made our way towards the town of Raglan. We drove the long way past Tintern Abbey and through the Wye valley which is a wonderful drive through little villages next to the Wye River. Just outside the town is one of South East Wales more famous castles which is not surprisingly called Raglan Castle. This castle was built in the 15th century and is well known as the home of King Henry VII when he was a child. It is not in the greatest shape but then again it is 600 years old. The moat around one of the towers (the castles final line of defense) is still in tact which is a rarity in castles these days. Below are a few pictures taken today at Raglan Castle.
Moving on from Raglan it was a 20min drive though narrow hedge lanes to yet another castle. This one was not nearly as impressive but it was free to go in. The main reason we went was so we could give this blog post a funny title. Yes you guessed it! It was called White Castle. It was named this as the rendering on the outside was white but most of it is long gone. Only one of the towers was in tact but we could still climb up the 3 stories and take a few photos of the Black Mountains in the distance which was an incredible view from the top. Other highlights of the castle were the drawbridge on the way in and the fact that once again the moat was still in tact. 2 moats in one day!!!
Well as there was yet another Castle about 20min away and it was on our way home we took a small detour to have a quick look at the town Skenfrith. Here is yet another free castle which is owned by the National Trust and it is believed that the first form of the castle was built around 1160. It was pretty run down once again and this time there was no steps in the tower to go up but we had a quick look around the castle and then walked into the town to see the small church. Gotta love checking out the small Welsh churches that have so much history.
We made our way back to Severn Beach the long way again, through the Forest of Dean stopping at a petrol station for some sausage rolls and crisps. We ate at a small picnic area in the forest and then drove back through Chepstow to the Old Severn Bridge. It was another great day and made for a very long but eventful weekend.
On a side note I picked up a package from the post office on saturday morning. In it was a sock puppet made by the great Sara Wong and sent over to travel the world with me. So keeep a look out for it in the pictures!!!
5 comments:
Stunning pictures my Friend great to see your trip in almost real time.
I really wish I was there of course, traveling with you is always Awesome. I will try and capture the surprised look, when you arrive at Tokyo!.
Nice coat Kadie!!!
We watched Harold and Kumar go to White Castle last night - what are the odds?
...The way the flavour of those little fried onions' explode in your mouth just can't be beat. In fact thinking about it just makes me want to burn this place down.... Lets do it!!! Lets burn this place down!!!!! Raaagggghhhh!!!...
Dude that was So EXTREME!!!!!
Hey man, lets go get some mountain dew! Extreme!!!!!!
Need a 'face shot' of the Sock Puppet though. Is his name Germain all the time or will it change from country to country or place to place...?
Dude... you made your Mom eat disgusting sausage rolls for visiting you?! for shame!!
Maybe I will revive my blog... who knows... haha
YAY FOR WHITE CASTLE :) next castle you go to you should wear body armour :) haha and pretend that your going to fight a dragon... this is how you do it.. 'Good sir, thus not fear, I thy prince of Drews am here to defend thee castle of White, I shall slaigh the dragon thus saving thy village and thy village people' then later on run out saying the dragons to strong :0 haha
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