Flint Castle

February 10, 2020March 4, 2015 by Nathanael Weir-Wakely

Final Stop: Flint The day was getting late and Flint castle was our final stop, the last castle we ever saw in Great Britain, last… and possibly the least. It wasn’t much to look at compared to what we had seen, and the gate was closed so we weren’t even able to enter. Little did I … Read more

Rhuddlan Castle

February 10, 2020March 3, 2015 by Nathanael Weir-Wakely

Fifteenth Stop: Rhuddlan Rhuddlan’s Ruins When we first laid eyes on Rhuddlan castle, one of the last few stops we squeezed into our tour, we immediately asked ourselves, “Did a bomb go off here?” A great, gaping hole yawned in one of its bulwarks, half a tower was missing, and many stones looked as if … Read more

Conwy Castle

February 10, 2020March 2, 2015 by Nathanael Weir-Wakely

Fourteenth Stop: Conwy Conwy Castle in all of its glory At last we arrived in Conwy for Friday night and had a milkshake thrown at our heads. Not the kind of greeting I had expected but I took it as it was. Young partiers were driving their fancy cars down through the ancient gates of this … Read more

Caernarfon Castle

February 10, 2020March 1, 2015 by Nathanael Weir-Wakely

Thirteenth Stop: Caernarfon Upon entering the seaside town of Caernarfon we were astonished and delighted by the sheer grandeur of its castle. There were eight massive towers (with smaller turrets crowning those towers), an impenetrable gatehouse, a colossal curtain wall with many twisting passages, two main gates, and even a water gate to the Seiont River– … Read more

Beaumaris Castle

February 10, 2020February 28, 2015 by Nathanael Weir-Wakely

Twelfth Stop: Beaumaris Beaumaris Castle Catching the ferry from Dublin, Ireland we arrived in Holyhead, Wales and were promptly greeted by an extra-friendly Welshmen who informed us (in an amusing accent) of all the amazing castles there were to see in the area. We met up with Ashleigh’s brother, Braeden, (who had been on his … Read more

Cuchulainn’s Castle

February 10, 2020February 27, 2015 by Nathanael Weir-Wakely

Eleventh Stop: Cuchulainn’s Castle Cuchulainn’s Castle Following the path of “Cuchulainn”, an Irish folk hero and mythological warrior, was one of the many exciting adventures we experienced on our quick jaunt through the Emerald Isles of Ireland (read more about it here). From birth to death we followed Cuchulainn’s epic story to real life places … Read more

Urquhart Castle

February 10, 2020February 26, 2015 by Nathanael Weir-Wakely

Tenth Stop: Urquhart

Urquhart Castle overlooking the beautiful Loch Ness

Our final stop in Scotland was at the ultra-famous Loch Ness. Interested in the idea of spotting the Loch Ness monster, we decided to spend the night camping along its shores. We found a lovely, not-so-legit camping spot with a pebble beach, grassy knolls, possibly some grazing sheep, and immediately next to us were the ruins of Urquhart Castle. Despite being surrounded by Japanese tourists, Urquhart is a picturesque beauty resting on an outcrop of land, called “Strone Point”, jutting out into the loch. The castle, though in a bit of a ruined state, is a massive tourist attraction– second to “Nessieland”.

Muness Castle

February 10, 2020February 25, 2015 by Nathanael Weir-Wakely

Ninth Stop: Muness Arriving at the gloomy, stormy Shetland Isles on a rocking boat of sea-sickness, our high hopes for an exciting and eventful stay were soon dimmed. The tiny and most northern island of Unst at first glance seemed barren of life, trees included. For the first few weeks the weather was the absolute … Read more

A Crash Course in British Castles

February 10, 2020February 25, 2015 by Nathanael Weir-Wakely

Before coming to Britain, even before embarking on our European journey, I would often sit and dream of treading through stone passageways, patrolling the length of rocky defences, and keeping watch from the tallest turrets on a windy night. Castles were raised by the ruling powers through the blood and sweat of their toiling subjects; impenetrable fortresses of carved stone blocks atop rocky crags, castles are truly an awesome sight to behold. They were, at many times, scenes of bloodshed: from sword clashing medieval battles to the assassination of nobles. They were once the seat of lords and kings, protecting, as well as dominating, the countryside. They have stood for hundreds of years and will hopefully continue to stand for centuries more (partially thanks to the National Trust).

Direlton Castle

February 10, 2020February 24, 2015 by Nathanael Weir-Wakely

Eighth Stop: Dirleton Dirleton Castle. Dirleton Castle was the second stop on our tour generously hosted by Mike, only a 14 minute drive from Tantallon Castle. After passing through the gate into the grounds, we gazed about us in wonder as we trotted through the beautiful garden, full of marvellous flowers, up a path to … Read more

Tantallon Castle

February 10, 2020February 23, 2015 by Nathanael Weir-Wakely

Seventh Stop: Tantallon Hairy stud blocking Tantallon Castle. It was only through the generosity of our friends and neighbours that Ashleigh and I were able to visit more amazing castles than we were originally planning on. Roger brought us over to his friend Mike’s house one evening for tea and cookies. We sat in front … Read more

Rosslyn Castle

February 10, 2020February 22, 2015 by Nathanael Weir-Wakely

Sixth Stop: Rosslyn The ruin of Rosslyn Castle Rosslyn Chapel, made more well known by Dan Brown’s popular book “The Da Vinci Code”, is a Catholic chapel, built by the Sinclair family, filled and covered with intricate carvings created to tell stories to the unlearned and illiterate. As marvellous and interesting as that is, many … Read more

Crichton Castle

February 10, 2020February 21, 2015 by Nathanael Weir-Wakely

Fifth Stop: Crichton Crichton Castle and THAT woman… We got a chance to explore Crichton Castle one sunny afternoon, thanks to our hosts Jane and Roger from Penicuik, Scotland. Roger had a wonderful singing voice and took some time out of every week to sing with his choir in the some of the many ancient, … Read more

Edinburgh Castle

February 10, 2020February 20, 2015 by Nathanael Weir-Wakely

Fourth Stop: Edinburgh Edinburgh Castle. Edinburgh is a sprawling, grey-stone, cobble-road city. Built on seven hills, its landscape dominated by an extinct volcano called Arthur’s Seat. Strolling up on a slow incline, Ashleigh and I passed restaurants advertising their tasty haggis, souvenir shops selling far too many knock-off kilts, and marvellous stone-work buildings. The Royal … Read more

Newcastle… er, Castle

February 10, 2020February 19, 2015 by Nathanael Weir-Wakely

Third Stop: Newcastle Newcastle Keep. En route north to Edinburgh, we decided to spend a night in the quaint town of Newcastle-upon-Tyne before crossing the Scottish border. We enjoyed running around the city all night, exploring the many levels of cobblestone alleyways and bridges. We especially liked the Castle Keep and the Black Gate, all … Read more

Mow Cop Castle

February 10, 2020February 17, 2015 by Nathanael Weir-Wakely

First Stop: Mow Cop Mow Cop Castle. The very first ‘castle’ we came upon was with one of our HelpX hosts in Stoke-on-Trent, England. Phil took us out on a day trip up to the top of Mow Cop, a small village leading up a mountain. We got a bit lost along the way, thanks … Read more

Tamworth Castle

February 10, 2020February 16, 2015 by Nathanael Weir-Wakely

Second Stop: Tamworth Tamworth Castle. Next on our list was Tamworth Castle, a fine example of Norman construction located next to the River Tame, in the town of Tamworth in Staffordshire, England. While we were staying in Stoke-on-Trent we chose to visit Tamworth simply because it was the closest castle we could find, and still being virgin castle seekers we … Read more