While staying in the South of England, we mostly took it as a bit of a holiday in the midst of our sharing at churches and gatherings. We had three full days to do fun things. Originally I thought we would go to Stonehenge. It would have been a two hour drive, but I thought it would be fun to see a famous monument. Then I got worried that we would drive a whole two hours and the kids would be unimpressed by rocks. We deviated from the plan and decided to treat them to a castle experience.
I read on the Internet that South England has more castles in it than the rest of England. There were so many to choose from, but Arundel Castle came highly recommended both from the web and the folk at the YWAM base where we were staying. It was the first outing that we paid for (yay for freebies!) and a bit pricey, but it was worth it. I mean how many times do you get to see a castle?
It was amazing. It took us about three hours to see the entire castle and the grounds. We tried to ask the history of it throughout. I’m still trying to understand the monarchy and exactly how everything works. I don’t have it all figured out, but I did learn so much. Did you know King Charles I was the only king beheaded in England? His original portrait hangs in Arundel Castle.
The creativity inside those castle walls was amazing. You could only take photos in The Keep, the oldest part of the castle and of course, the outside. The rooms were decorated so beautifully but you’ll just have to take my word for it. There was an entire room dedicated to Queen Victoria. They had two years notice that she was coming and had to make a whole set of bedroom furniture for her! She was shorter than I am (which is saying something, if you know me). There were little step stools and short chairs throughout the room.
What I found so interesting is that Arundel Castle is still a working castle. The Duke and Duchess of Norfolk live there. Apparently, after castle visiting hours, they have free reign of the entire castle. Their kids are older now, but can you imagine being a young child and roaming about a castle??
Have you visited a castle before? What about Stonehenge? I’m curious if it’s worth a visit next time we might be in the area?
Linking up with Communal Global for Sneak Peeks Around The World.
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tinajo
October 23, 2012 at 6:40 amAmazing castle, I LOVE places like this! 🙂
Tamar SB
October 23, 2012 at 12:37 pmWOW! I would so love to visit there!! When we visited England we saw the Tower of London which was amazing!
Elisa | blissfulE
October 23, 2012 at 2:07 pmYay! I have been to Arundel but not to the castle; it looks fabulous! Love it that the Duke and Duchess got to run around the grounds. We went to Stonehenge during the summer solstice which was an unforgettable experience (picture here). Later we visited Stonehenge again on one of the 364 days that isn't the summer solstice and discovered and visitors usually aren't allowed to get very close to the stones.
Elisa | blissfulE
October 23, 2012 at 2:09 pmOoops, the link to the picture should be http://blissfule.me/the-longer-i-live/ (it's the fifth photo in the poem).
Anonymous
October 23, 2012 at 2:35 pmOh how fun!! My kids would LOVE!
Leovi
October 23, 2012 at 3:59 pmGreat photos, that castle is fantastic, I love.
Anonymous
October 23, 2012 at 4:44 pmwe also have castles in Portugal. monarchy only ended in 1910. it's always a treat to visit one. I agree with you the beds were so small, can't imagine how tall (or small) our kings and queens were. I'm visiting from 'communal global' thank you for this photographic tour. I'm your new follower. happy Tuesday! xxo
Unknown
October 23, 2012 at 4:44 pmCould you imagine your homestead being a castle fortress? I think I could handle that as a kid.
MaryAnne
October 23, 2012 at 5:50 pmWhat a neat castle! I visited Donnington Castle, which was owned (or simply run? Not sure how that stuff worked) by one of my English ancestors (John Packer). He got in some fight with the king and it wound up getting battered, if I remember correctly. You can still see the ruins. I also got to see his manor house, Groombridge Place, which was the setting for "Pride and Prejudice" a few years back. Not sure what either site is like now – this was all back in 1991!
Sharon
October 24, 2012 at 2:55 amWhat a fun castle to explore! I took my daughter to Stonehenge when she was 20. She didn't know why we were looking at "rocks." Then when we got home, her friends asked if we went to Stonehenge. She couldn't believe it's famous. So yes, take them! They'll thank you later 🙂 I thought it was fascinating, and what a place to photograph! Happy travels!
Jennifer {Studio JRU}
October 24, 2012 at 3:25 amWOW! Those windows are amazing! I hope to see a castle in my lifetime! 🙂