Number 5: Farleigh Hungerford Castle
Having visited Nunney earlier on the same day, we headed off to Farleigh Castle. However the snow and ice delayed our journey and we got there very close to closing time. I think the woman felt sorry for us so she let us in for free to run around, literally.
It was November 2010 and the weather was dreadful. We were all wrapped up and had to move quickly. It was a shame as Farleigh Hungerford was bigger than we thought with lots of bits we could have pondered over, but we were on a deadline.
It was set in a really beautiful area in the valley of the river Frome, near Bath. The views were great and you could see it was well positioned to see where the enemy was coming from.
It was built in the 14th century but then lived in for 300 years by the Hungerford family. They had a pretty gruesome past and you could learn about it with an audio guide, not that we had time for that on this visit!
I really liked the chapel where there was artwork and tombs you could explore. Also the crypt with a barrel load of coffins, all a bit grim.
I wish we'd had longer to spend at this castle, but we didn't, so that's that.
Costs: £4 approx
Hints and tips: There was a car park, though I think we got lost a few times trying to find it.
Want to find out more about why we're doing this challenge? Take a look at my first blog post.
Number 4 - Nunney Castle
Nunney Castle was a very pleasant surprise.
Chloe and myself were on a mini trip to Bath to visit a woman who I was hoping was going to make me a headband to wear for my wedding. We thought we may as well squeeze a couple of castles in while there.
We went in November 2010 and the weather was very frosty. When I say 'frosty' it was full on snow and the roads were icy. This made Chloe nervous, so I drove. The car was skidding about all over the place, we should have turned back.... we didn't.
We got to the village of Nunney and I thought we must of gone wrong. Most of the castles we'd seen so far were in fields away from the towns, but the sat nav directed us right into the middle of this adorable little village. The castle was behind a church and I fell in love as soon as I saw it. It was more of a big house than a castle with loads of sections. From the back it looked in pretty good condition, but when you got round the front half of it was gone - really striking!
It had a moat, though this was frozen. Apparently it was built in the 1300s by a Knight who the King liked. It was Christmas 1910 when the wall fell apart. It's managed by the English Heritage.
We slipped and slid over the icy drawbridge to get a good photo of us at the front. You can't spend long there, after walking round for about 10 minutes we'd looked at every inch of it. So we set off for some soup/home made quiche in one of the gorgeous village restaurants.
Cost: Freeeeeeeeeeeeee
Hints and tips: there isn't much to see in the castle itself so it'd be a quick (but lovely) trip. Parking in the village and then walking round would be best.
Want to find out why we're doing this challenge? Check out my first blog post.
