Castles in the UK

[tiggerblue10]

Which castles/palaces would you recommend to visit? I have been to Hever, Hampton Cout, Tower of London, and Arundel all of which are beautiful, however I would like recommendations on others please.

Thank you

[vehelpfulguy]

I have been to lots of National Trust buildings but have to say Waddesdon Manor really knocked me out.

Built by the Rothschild family, this place had money thrown at it. They built it on top of a hill, and then planted a ready made forest by bringing in full size trees (they even built a railway line to bring the trees in). Why wait for your forest to grow !

Picture here:

http://www.thesmith.org.uk/places/waddesdon/WA D03-WaddesdonManorR.jpg

Web site here

http://www.waddesdon.org.uk/

[vehelpfulguy]

I suggested Waddesdon Manor above, but then re-read your question where you actually say palaces rather than large country houses, so not sure if Waddesdon falls within your remit.

One other place that is worth a visit is Kenilworth Castle (very near Warwick Castle as well).

Although mostly in ruin it has an interesting history and because it is mostly just the outer walls standing it looks very dramatic, and gives you a great idea of how these castles were built.

Pictures here

http://www.englishheritageprints.com/image/Ken ilworth-Castle-N070113_471912.jpg

http://ivmoores.com/katherine/PICT0201ce.jpg

[tiggerblue10]

Waddesdon Manor looks beautiful VHG and its in Buckinghamshire so not to far away from London. I'm interested in any historical buildings.

[vehelpfulguy]

If you love old castles and historic houses then are you in the National Trust or English Heritage?

If you are not a member then I will give you an overview of each organization, the National Trust first in this append, then English Heritage in my next append.

The National Trust is an independant organization (a charity) that helps to preserve houses, gardens, other buildings, coastlines, beautiful areas and so on.

They own hundreds of houses and gardens all over the UK (England and Wales only I think) including Waddesdon Manor, Sissinghurst, Stourhead, Chartwell (Winston Churchill's home) and hundreds more.

They also own thousands of acres of parts of England and Wales (Lake District, Cornwall, Snowdonia etc) and also miles of coast line (to stop it being built on).

You have to pay to be a member (yearly), but while you are a member you can get into EVERY National Trust house and garden for FREE, as many times you like in that year.

You can also park for free in any National Trust car park (very useful if you visit the Lake District or Cornwall where the NT own many car parks and usually charge to park).

You also get a yearly NT Guide to every property they own to help plan your visit, and a quarterly magazine showing what the NT are doing.

I think anyone who cares about preserving the history and beauty of this country should be a member of the National Trust.

Web site

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/

[vehelpfulguy]

English Heritage is a government department that looks after hundreds (thousands?) of Histroic Buildings all over England.

They tend to own mostly castles, abbeys and so on, although do have some country houses and gardens (as well as other historic buildings).

They own Stonehenge, Kenilworth Castle, Osborne House (Isle of Wight - Queen Victoria's house) and so on

You have to pay to be a member (yearly), and once a member you can get into any EH property for free for that year.

They provide a yearly guide book to their properties, to help you plan your visits, and a quarterly magazine.

Web site here

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/

They do run lots of events at some of their properties (for which they may add an extra charge). Here is a just an example of some:

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show /nav.19079

They run one huge event each summer called Festival of History (which you have just missed) which is well worth a visit. More here:

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show /nav.9427

[jno]

just to add to VHG's post, you can get into these places if you're not a member, but you have to pay at the door

[vehelpfulguy]

Good point jno, I did not make that clear.

Having said that, I do think the NT make their entrance fees deliberately high to encourage people to join up.

For example, a single person paying by direct debit pays �34.50 for a year.

But say you went to Sissinghurst, that is �9 for one visit.

Go to 4 NT properties in a year and the yearly cost has paid for itself.

Mind you, even if I went to NO properties in a year I would still stay as a member. It gives me a good feeling to know that I am doing my little bit to preserve this countries beauty and heritage.

[jno]

Yes, their prices are on the high side, but in weather like this I'd be struggling to visit four properties a year (especially as I've seen all the ones near me). Also, I'm annoyed that photography indoors is now forbidden at NT properties. I could understand it if it applied only to commercial photography, or to flashes, but as a member I 'm not happy that I can't even take photos for my own enjoyment.

[Tom Braider]

The most fantastic palace in Europe (according to its own advertising) is the Royal Pavilion at Brighton. It's an extraordinary building - unforgettable.

[Octavius]

All castle lovers should visit this website........

http://www.castlesoftheworld.com/

[tiggerblue10]

Thank you very much for all your replies.

I have thought about joining the NT and to be honest I don't think �34.50 is a lot if it allows you free entry to various places of interest throughout the subscritpion year. NH also appeals to me. I will also at some point go and visit Fontevrault Abbey as I'm fascinated with the Plantagenets, however, I'm sure I read that some of the tombs and effigies may have been destroyed during the French Revolution.