Castles - Great and Small

Gardenlover

Gardenlover

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I find castles extremely interesting and to tour a few of them is a bucket list of mine.

Sadly, most of my knowledge of castles comes from movies.

For those in the know, which castles would be on the top of the list to tour?

Do castles live up to all the hype that the movies represent, or are they really more mysterious?
 

In Alexandria Bay, in northern New York State is Boldt Castle. It is an unfinished castle started by Mr Boldt, for the love of his life. She passed away before it was finished and he never completed it
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At the turn-of-the-century, George C. Boldt, millionaire proprietor of the world famous Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, set out to build a full size rhineland castle in Alexandria Bay, on picturesque Heart Island. The grandiose structure was to be a display of his love for his wife, Louise.

Beginning in 1900, the Boldt family spent summers in the 1000 Islands at the Boldt Family’s Wellesley House near Mr. Boldt’s Wellesley Island Farms while 300 workers including stonemasons, carpenters, and artists fashioned the six story, 120 room castle, complete with tunnels, a powerhouse, Italian gardens, a drawbridge, alster tower (children’s playhouse) and a dove cote. Not a single detail or expense was spared.

In January 1904, tragedy struck. Boldt telegraphed the island and commanded the workers to immediately “stop all construction.” Louise had died suddenly. A broken hearted Boldt could not imagine his dream castle without his beloved. Boldt never returned to the island, leaving behind the structure as a monument of his love.
 
hollydolly said:
what do you want to know..I'm no expert that's for sure..but I do live in a country with a lot of Castles... :D
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Are castles the same all over the world? If you were to suggest 2-3 to tour, which ones would you suggest?
 
Gardenlover said:
Are castles the same all over the world? If you were to suggest 2-3 to tour, which ones would you suggest?
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warwick castle without a shadow of a doubt... here's the link to it....

Official Warwick Castle website: Best Price Guaranteed


Then the next best is Dover castle..

Dover Castle

my 3rd favourite in England is Leeds castle.. which is actually quite close to Dover castle...

Homepage


of course there's Windsor castle where the king lives as well...


Windsor Castle



Castles are definitely not the same all over the world, they all have different histories.. and different interiors and exteriors...some still have the dungeons where people were tortured in medeival times.. , some have mazes..and moats.. so still have all the original underground armoury ....apparently Germany has a massive amount of castles.
 
Gardenlover said:
I find castles extremely interesting and to tour a few of them is a bucket list of mine.
Sadly, most of my knowledge of castles comes from movies.
For those in the know, which castles would be on the top of the list to tour?
Do castles live up to all the hype that the movies represent, or are they really more mysterious?
Click to expand...

The closest castle to me, or at least its remains, is Beeston Castle. It sits on top of a sandstone crag, looking over the stunning views of the Cheshire plains.

It was built in the early 1200s, and later used as a garrison during the English Civil War in the 1640s. I've just learned that it was constructed by Ranulf de Blondeville, the 6th Earl of Chester, after his return from the Crusades.

I’ve never toured it myself, but I’ve driven past it many times. It doesn't fail to catch your eye.

As for your question, "Do castles live up to all the hype..." That depends, I would say that if you have the opportunity to visit a castle, put the hype to one side. Learn its individual history, and take along your own imagination instead.

Beeston Castle.JPG

 
The term 'castle' in Scotland, does not usually refer to a military structure, but often to a large fortified house. I am fortunate to live in an area with several large, impressive castles, and other minor ones - and some interesting ruins.

By coincidence, I discovered that for a time, Hollydolly and I lived quite close to each other in the Portsmouth area. Apart from Southsea castle, there are large defensive forts overlooking the city. These were meant to repel Napoleon should he choose to attack - which he didn't.

I'll post a list of some notable Scottish castles and a couple of photos, but I suggest you look online for history and background info.
 
I too enjoy(ed) looking around castles. There is a castle ruin very near to me, on Piel Island Piel Castle The next nearest is the very small Dalton Castle/ Pele Tower. Dalton Castle

There are several other castles within an hour or so including Lancaster https://www.lancastercastle.com/ Appleby Castle and Muncaster Castle.
Muncaster Castle is a very popular one. History of the Castle | Muncaster Castle & Gardens.

Oops, just noticed the time. I'd best get going, my youngest son will be here to collect me any minute, it's his turn to feed me this Christmas;). Have a good day everyone.
 
My nearest castle - Fyvie Castle. Note that if the castle is named after a place, it's Place name Castle, but if it's named after a family, it's Castle family name eg, Castle Fraser.
fyvie.jpg

Braemar castle.... a family home of Clan Farquharson and example of a fortified house. The owner and his wife were on opposites during the Jacobite rebellions, but got back together again afterwards and lived 'happily ever after'.

braemar.jpg
 
Marie5656 said:
In Alexandria Bay, in northern New York State is Boldt Castle. It is an unfinished castle started by Mr Boldt, for the love of his life. She passed away before it was finished and he never completed it
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At the turn-of-the-century, George C. Boldt, millionaire proprietor of the world famous Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, set out to build a full size rhineland castle in Alexandria Bay, on picturesque Heart Island. The grandiose structure was to be a display of his love for his wife, Louise.

Beginning in 1900, the Boldt family spent summers in the 1000 Islands at the Boldt Family’s Wellesley House near Mr. Boldt’s Wellesley Island Farms while 300 workers including stonemasons, carpenters, and artists fashioned the six story, 120 room castle, complete with tunnels, a powerhouse, Italian gardens, a drawbridge, alster tower (children’s playhouse) and a dove cote. Not a single detail or expense was spared.

In January 1904, tragedy struck. Boldt telegraphed the island and commanded the workers to immediately “stop all construction.” Louise had died suddenly. A broken hearted Boldt could not imagine his dream castle without his beloved. Boldt never returned to the island, leaving behind the structure as a monument of his love.
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That picture is of the castle’s private power house.
The castle and yacht house.
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The part of Scotland from Aberdeen to Balmoral is known as Royal Deeside. Along this route are Drum castle, Crathes castle and Balmoral castle. In the same area is Craigievar castle, believed to be an inspiration for Disney's 'Cinderella castle'.

On the west coast of Scotland is Culzean castle - pronounced Cullane which has connections with American president, Dwight D Eisenhower.
Heading south is Scone - pronounced Skoon castle - where the kings of Scotland were crowned. Also in that area is the magnificent Glamis castle

Glamis1.jpg
Glamis castle.

In the small village of Falkland, is Falkland palace. Although partially derelict, this is still a royal palace which was frequented by Mary Queen of Scots in the 1560's.
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CinnamonSugar said:
During my trip to England in 2017, we visited Leeds Castle. I enjoyed it because it has both medieval areas and also parts of the house were right out of Downton Abbey.

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sorry that made me laugh .. to think parts of the house resembled downton abbey rather than the other way around....:ROFLMAO: leeds castle as I menioned above is one of my top favourite castles..
Homepage
 

Neuschwanstein​

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I just recently viewed a Netflix series- Secrets of Great British Castles, the presenter/co-writer Dan Jones gives an interesting historical narrative on each of six castles, as well as the history of the British Isles and development of the monarchies that arose in Briton and Europe since the Middle Ages.

The six Castles :
Edinburgh Castle

Cardiff Castle

York Castle

Lancaster Castle

Leeds Castle

Arundel Castle

Each castle is breathtaking in appearance, utterly fascinating for it's history.

I'm a late-bloomer as far as my interest, if I were 20 years younger I'd be making travel arrangements for a comprehensive travel tour of the British Isles.
 
Some decades ago I got to visit Warwick Castle. Only time I have ever visited a dungeon. It was enlightening.

Castle Bromwich is/was a factory that built car bodies for Jaguar. During WW2 it was a bomber factory and the building was painted in camouflage. It was still camo in the 1980s.
 

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