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castles
Tim Roseland asked:


Goodrich Castle is the most splendid in the county of Herefordshire, and one of the best examples of English military architecture.  It is still impressive despite its ruinous state.  The castle is perched on a rocky spur above the River Wye, four miles southwest of Ross-on-Wye.

Godric’s Castle - no doubt named after Godric Mappestone, who held the land nearby - is first recorded in 1101.  Nothing is left of Godric’s stronghold but within the bailey, very close to the later curtain, rises a well-preserved though relatively small Norman keep.  Henry II took over the castle, and the keep is generally attributed to him, but the royal accounts record very little expenditure here.

 The keep is a tall, square tower with pilaster buttresses and Norman windows.  The original first floor entrance was later converted into a window, with a new doorway inserted immediately below.

 Strangely enough, the existing curtain and corner towers are not the first on the site.  King John granted Goodrich to the mighty William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke, and a stone enclosure followed. Some of his masonry is embedded in the present east curtain and the foundations of a round tower underlie the present southwest tower. 

A later Earl of Pembroke, William de Valence, tore this structure down and erected his own.  His building is contemporary and comparable with the Edwardian castles of Wales.  Such a castle is a rarity in England.  It is square in plan, the more vulnerable south and east sides being protected by a wide, rock-cut ditch.  A thick curtain surrounds the bailey, with massive round towers at three corners and a gatehouse occupying the fourth.  Each tower rises from a solid square base, which sinks back into the cylinder in pyramid fashion. Forming spurs.  The spurs projecting from the southeast tower are particularly high.

 During much of the 14th and 15th centuries the castle was the home to the Talbots, before they abandoned it in favour of more modern accommodation. The empty castle was reoccupied during the Civil War by Parliamentary forces in 1643 and then Royalist forces in 1645. Following their surrender after a two month siege the castle was slighted to prevent any further use.

For more information on Goodrich Castle please see below. For all your travel needs visit us at myroadtotravel.com. For more on Castles visit myroadtoravelblog.com.

Tel: 01600 890538

E-mail: customers@english-heritage.org.uk

Access to castle: Many steps to the courtyard and Great Hall. Upper floors reached via steep stairs, some spiralled. Access to chapel via one step.

Grounds: Accessed via steps; gravel or paved paths.

Visually impaired: Special audio tour included in admission price.

Hearing impaired visitors: Audio tour with hearing loop included in admission price.

Parking: 330m from entrance. To avoid slopes and steps park near the refreshments area. Path to the castle can be muddy in places. Disabled visitors may take their cars along the driveway (marked no entry) to within 15m of the castle entrance on a rough track, closing gate behind them. (please notify custodian in advance).

Toilets:Adapted WCs in car park with level access.

Refreshments:In car park (privately run, open April - September only), with wooden benches outside.



MARCEL

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castles
Ian Wilkie asked:


Spending a day watching Cinderella and her lavish castle will make the holiday memorable and one that the child will cherish all their life. Located in the middle of the two theme parks, this has been around since 1971, giving every visitor something new to look forward to.

During your stay at the magical Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, you and you family members can take a walk through the Cinderella’s castle, which has mosaic murals narrating the tale. Each of these is made of Italian smooth glass and rough ones that are made especially by Italian craftsman. One can make out the emotions playing across the faces of Cinderella and her evil step sisters right down to the ball, after which she tries on the glass slippers. There is an attached shopping arena called Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique where young girls can get anything they desire.

In order to enjoy all this, you will need to book your journey way ahead, and this can be done either online or through an agency that will plan your entire itinerary. There is even a Cinderella Suite on the top of the castle which today can house upto 6 guests; this was once intended for Sir Walt Disney and his friends to reside in. Staying here would leave you feeling like a real princess, with the fluffy queen sized beds and rich castle like walls and view from your room. And as you get out of your castle, you can stroll through Mickey’s Toontown Fair, where you can shake hands with Mickey Mouse and gang who live right there. A latest addition to the Disney World, this is sure to make your Walt Disney World vacation better.

You can take the train from anywhere in the park and watch the various splendors of their park come alive. What child would not like to check out the various castles and palaces home to their favorite characters? In the Magic Kingdom section, you find Fantasyland, filled with princesses, pixies and little boys who don’t grow up. A play area where you spend time with Winnie the Pooh or what looks like scenes from the 20,000 leagues under the sea book is what awaits you.

When you get bored of these, you can take the train to Pinocchio’s village which is near the fair lands. You will go through numerous tunnels that take you from Adventureland to the Liberty Square. Housed within these walls are the finest restaurants and souvenir stores for you to indulge in. A fun filled, learning experience is what you take back when you wind up for the day in your comfortable bed on tip the Cinderella’s castle.

The Orlando area is famous for its condos and villas that you can pick up to add a bit of spice to your vacation. Fitted with all the amenities and services you could dream off, these make for ideal getaways from the crowd and close enough to spend time during your Walt Disney World Resort vacation.



IGNACIO

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castles
sidana.abhi asked:


 

England is littered with castles. Some are mere ruins, but others stand as proud today as they did when they were built many hundred years ago. They come in many shapes and sizes, have seen battles and sieges, and witnessed acts of bravery and cowardice and betrayal.

Castles are a part of the English culture and allow us to imagine how life was lived back in the days of knights and fair ladies. The oldest remaining castles date back to Norman times, when William the Conqueror’s men needed protection from the English, whom they had so recently defeated. Some were simple defensive fortresses, others elaborate homes.

But life in a castle was never comfortable. Imagine living through a long, wet English winter inside one of the big stone keeps, with no glass in the windows, no running water, only candlelight to see by, and no heating but a fireplace strategically placed in the centre of the cavernous hall. But still, people managed; couples fell in love, children were born and rulers passed with the years. What remains today are beautifully constructed buildings, monuments to the superb architects and craftsmen that built them, and memories to the people who made their homes there.

Castles are often found atop a hill overlooking the countryside below. This gave the lord an advantage in seeing an enemy approaching and being able to prepare for battle. To increase ones safety, many of them had moats around them filled with water or detestable creatures to deter an army for even more time to prepare.

During the 15th century, many castles were destroyed or badly damaged badly in the Wars of the Roses. Gunpowder had recently appeared on the battlefields of Europe and while castles had withstood sieges for many hundred years, they were not proof against cannon fire. Many were lost during those turbulent years and those that remained give us some of the picturesque castle ruins that the English landscape is so famous for.

Many of the castles that remain today are in the care of the National Trust or English Heritage and make a great day out while visiting England. Many have been made into a place where visitors can experience the past and see what they would have felt had they lived during this time. It will definitely change the way you view modern life today.



RICH

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castles
Victoria Cochrane asked:


Dover Castle is undergoing a makeover for summer 2009. Well, at least the Great Tower is! As from August 2009 King Henry II’s medieval royal court will come to life in the imposing central keep of Dover Castle.

Using a combination of film technology, characters in costume and a faithful recreation of the royal court Dover Castle will be transported back to the twelfth century - a turbulent era of England’s history, where visitors will be able to meet the King himself as he wanders the hallways.

A Frenchman, Henry ascended to the throne of England in 1154 when he succeeded King Stephen, cousin of his mother Matilda, daughter of Henry I. At the time of taking the throne England was in a state of turmoil and Henry decided to assert order. Appointing Thomas Becket as his chancellor the pair began to reform England’s failing judicial system by establishing courts and prisons, and thereby asserting royal control over the assizes.

It was a fascinating time in the development of the royals and included Henry’s attempt to take control of the church in 1164 which led to a heated dispute with the Archbishop of Canterbury, the King’s former chancellor Thomas Beckett. Unfortunately for the latter it ended in his premature death as he was murdered by four of the king’s knights in Canterbury Cathedral in December 1170.

However, in addition to a narrated elaboration of the aforementioned events, the sounds, sights and even smells of that century that will be accurately portrayed in the Great Tower. Indeed, so good is the publicity surrounding this event that Dover hotels are hoping their advance bookings will rocket once the opening date for such a fascinating portrayal of 12th century royal shenanigans is finally revealed.

Of course, as the gateway to Europe Dover also benefits from having thousands of ferry travellers passing through the port each day. Perhaps some will be tempted to stay overnight in the port to add a visit to Dover Castle to their itinerary before or after completing their cross-channel trip to France.

Certainly the kids are guaranteed to be entertained as the plans for the Great Tower also include an accurate portrayal by a suitably costumed actor of the King’s court jester known as Roland the Farter! In addition, the King’s feuding sons will also be in attendance, including Prince John, who will no doubt provide the adults with a sinister representation of the grasping would-be king. It all sounds like intriguing fun!



MAX

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castles
Dipol asked:


The Wawel Hill is a place of magic and mystery, where time has stopped in the walls of the Renaissance castle, in tales and stories, on the cloistered courtyard and in the royal chambers, by the dragon standing at the foot of the Wawel Castle at the picturesque Vistula bend.

According to Hindu mythology, inside the Wawel Hill there is one of the seven Earth’s Chakra points. Hindu esoteric thinkers claim that every Chakra is part of a powerful energy field which connects all living things. These energy centers are believed to possess an extraordinary power. The other points are in Delhi, Mecca, Delphi, Jerusalem, Rome, and Velehrad. The “magic stone” was to be situated under the St. Geron Crypt in the northwest corner of the Wawel’s courtyard. No one has been able to point at specific “energy rock”, but believers stand with their heads, backs, hands and heels against the wall of the crypt…

Apart from that, Wawel has the power to attract people by its charm, being the pride of Krakow and its residents, and - next to the Main Market Square - the most visited place in this famous city.

The Wawel Castle is situated on a hill above the Vistula river in the heart of the city. From the hill, the visitors can admire urban panorama of the historic town: Bernardynska and Smocza streets, embankments of the Vistula, the river bend, D?bniki district, a large mound created in honor of Tadeusz Kosciuszko, Zwierzyniecka street, Planty - a city park surrounding old town, and the beginning of Grodzka Street - part of the Royal Route to the Main Market Square.

ULTICAM camera, K1441, provides live video of the Wawel Hill and Vistula bend: http://stream.dipol.com.pl/



Lenny Kravitz in Krakow. The performance of the star playing music that combines elements of rock, pop, and funky will be held on the stage placed on a river boat at Vistula bend during Wianki event on June 20, 2009. The concert of this artist and many other attractions you can see online through CCTV camera.





DUSTY
castles
Debbie asked:


I love castles and think they are magnificent and I was just hoping they offered like castle tours in Ireland and Scotland and France and England, etc…Like actual tours that you could go on a series of castle visits or maybe ride horseback too like I’ve read about. Thanks!

RONNY

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castles
Suzanne W McMahon asked:


How could our attention be maintained by another new police/detective show? First, Richard Castle is played by the talented Nathan Fillion. Is it possible this is the person who portrayed Dr.Pomattor in Adrienne Shelley’s Waitress? It’s also possible you recognize Nathan from the internet musical ‘Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along’ by Joss Whedon, the creator of the cult sci-fi series ‘Firefly’, also starring Fillion. Like the great fictional detectives of the past, Castle uses a mix of comedy, romance, and whodunit to craft an engaging story arc that will keep you watching. Women who are fans of the genre will find a lot to admire as well. The lead detective, Kate Beckett, is played by the actress Stana Katic. She can be seen in cameos for a variety of programs but she now headlines a show of her own - deservedly I might add. Add to that Castle’s daughter, Alexis (Molly C. Quinn), and his mother, Martha Heath (Susan Sullivan) and a police force filled with well-portrayed supporting actors.

But the best interest-riveting force is the writing. Andrew W. Marlowe, Barry Schindel, David Grae, and Charles Murray did a great job with the pilot. After the first show was apprehensive that the writers could keep the intermix of comedy and complex crime stories going for an entire season. I have been wrong.

Driving the show is the tension filled drama between the two lead characters, Castle and Beckett. Much to her disdain, Castle is given permission to follow Beckett. Castle redeems himself with Beckett even though he often gets in the way, speaks out of turn and manages to be annoying. Beckett can’t help but grow to care about Castle as she learns to value his insights and appreciate the risks he takes to ***** cases. He also endears himself to Beckett’s colleagues with small gestures like purchasing a top-notch coffeemaker for their use.

Castle’s mom and daughter are both full of contrasting elements. His mother is immature, takes advantage, and bears watching. The young girl is wiser than her age would suggest, supportive of her father, limiting the power of her grandma. Castle is a dedicated dad who frets without reason (so far) for Alexis. As Castle’s daughter Alexis, Molly C. Quinn has the best acting abilities on the program. Given her youth she should have a long career.

Castle is easily one of my favorite shows. I hope it will run for a long time. I’m especially excited about upcoming shows because I just ordered the Comcast HD Triple Play. I have come to believe that HDTV is the best way to view all my favorite television shows like Castle, and I look forward to the increased sound and picture quality. I discovered an unbeatable deal online that lets me bundle all three digital services offered by Comcast, Digital Cable, Digital Phone, and High Speed Internet, into a low monthly bill. Beyond Digital Cable with HD, I can’t wait to try out my new broadband internet service from Comcast. The ancient DSL connection I had was so unpredictable and slow I couldn’t watch any videos online or listen to great new music. Now, this will no longer be a problem. Now I don’t have to deal with minute by minute charges, due to Comcast Digital Voice. I can call local and long distance nationwide to who ever I like for one low bill. Don’t wait! Check out the current deals available to customers who can purchase Comcast services. Look into them today before these special promos come to an end.



WENDELL
castles
. asked:


Went to a Crystal Castles concert on Friday and I can’t remember much of it.
It was at the Bottom Lounge in Chicago on 4/10/09.
if anybody can help me find some pictures, I’d really appreciate it.
Thanks!

LAWRENCE

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castles
Neil Turner asked:


If you seek a gentle 7 mile walk in outstandingly beautiful surroundings then this walk starting at Craster and visiting Dunstanburgh Castle and the village of Embleton has a lot to offer.

Walking on country lanes and well trodden paths you can enjoy both the countryside and some of the most wonderful coastline surroundings you could wish for and in doing so you will hardly break sweat, it’s gentle all the way.

Leave Craster on the only road in to the village and on the right you meet a track leading to the Heughs and Dunstan Square from where a track continues north to Dunstan Steads. From this point the walk continues on quiet roads to Embleton, roads that appear devoid of traffic mainly and so the trek is uneventful though enjoyable through the beautiful Northumbrian countryside. From Embleton the walk continues eastward along the road heading to The Skaith.

Arrival at the coastal path is quite dramatic with views to the north highlighting the majestic Bamburgh Castle situated on it’s rocky crag whilst the view south to Dunstanburgh Castle is an inviting sight along the wonderful Northumberland coastline.  The views alone are worth the effort of the walk and you still have Dunstanburgh to visit!

The coastal walk is pitted with views of some interesting rock formations hewn by the relentless sea and winds over many centuries but you also encounter some beautiful beaches where, if the weather be favourable, you can stop and have a paddle.

Soon the castle looms into sight. Built in the 14th century it is strategically placed, utilising the natural defences of the cliffs and the sea the building now is largely a ruin but is still worth a visit. It has had some illustrious tenants including the Earl of Lancaster and the well know figure of John of Gaunt, the latter being responsible for large scale alterations and improvements to the structure.

Views from the castle are wonderful but with a little imagination one can envisage what it must have been like in it’s heyday, a building to rival it’s (now) illustrious neighbour Bamburgh Castle just up the coast.

After a while make your way back to Craster and enjoy a nice cuppa and partake of the local delicacy of fresh crab sandwiches - scrumptious. And while your about it grab some Craster kippers, breakfast will never be the same!

Seven miles with only a couple of hundred metres climbing makes for and easy relaxing day - try it and enjoy yourself.

Useful Resources

OS Explorer Map - Sheet 332



PRESTON