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Castles - which should I visit?

JiMMy 85
JiMMy 85 Posts: 10,193
in Not Sports Related
Got a friend coming over from the U.S. who has asked if I can take her to see an old castle. Leeds and Hever are pretty and all, but I was wondering if there are others down south worth visiting? A good fortress-type castle perhaps. It's a long shot but, does anybody know their castles?!
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Comments

  • Exiled_Addick
    Exiled_Addick Posts: 17,168
    I enjoyed Dover Castle and you can double up and visit the war rooms in the tunnels underneath.
  • Floyd Montana
    Floyd Montana Posts: 3,730
    edited July 2017
    Dover.
    It's got everything you want from a castle, right up to WW2 action.
    Superb
  • Exiled_Addick
    Exiled_Addick Posts: 17,168
    Wales has the best castles, btw, but doubt you want to travel out that far.
  • suzisausage
    suzisausage Posts: 11,502
    Bodium?

    Doesn't take too long though as ruins inside the walls but worth a visit.

    Never been but Dover looks impressive.
  • Davo55
    Davo55 Posts: 7,836
    Local - Hever castle is really nice.
  • suzisausage
    suzisausage Posts: 11,502
    Get her lost in the maze at hever then rescue her or the get her to go on the water maze.
  • Floyd Montana
    Floyd Montana Posts: 3,730
    JiMMy 85 said:

    Thanks! Dover looks decent. I do aim to get laid off the back of this, but not badly enough to drive to Wales.

    Well with this vital extra information, Make the effort to get to Kenilworth. The restored garden will melt any American lady's heart.

    Failing that, take her up the Tower.
    Of London.
  • Weegie Addick
    Weegie Addick Posts: 16,521
    Exiled_Addick said:

    Wales has the best castles, btw, but doubt you want to travel out that far.

    Scotland's are better. But even further.
  • Exiled_Addick
    Exiled_Addick Posts: 17,168
    edited July 2017
    That's a good shout Floyd. If you want a bit of embellishment without having to travel north of the Watford Gap, take her to see Dunkirk at the cinema, then go to Dover Castle and see the tunnels where the operation was masterminded. Hopefully not the only tunnels you'll be seeing that day.
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  • Exiled_Addick
    Exiled_Addick Posts: 17,168
    Weegie Addick said:

    Exiled_Addick said:

    Wales has the best castles, btw, but doubt you want to travel out that far.

    Scotland's are better. But even further.
    Scotland has some belters for sure, but I'm a big fan of Edward I castles.
  • Addickted
    Addickted Posts: 19,456
    Dover is fascinating.

    Warwick however, gives you the real medieval Castle experience.
  • Fumbluff
    Fumbluff Posts: 10,126
    Addickted said:

    Dover is fascinating.

    Warwick however, gives you the real medieval Castle experience.

    I've worked at both of these and if either are going to help you achieve your goal it will be Warwick. You can pretty much convince an American that it was used as Hogwarts on the learn to fly your broomstick scenes....
  • cafcdave123
    cafcdave123 Posts: 11,491
    JiMMy 85 said:

    Thanks! Dover looks decent. I do aim to get laid off the back of this, but not badly enough to drive to Wales.

    You tell her you're getting on a train to see a castle and end up getting a train to Scotland to see something like Cawdor castle and you'll be in for more than a quick thankyou shag
  • golfaddick
    golfaddick Posts: 33,625
    Leeds castle - just outside Maidstone

    Warwick castle - but a bit too far perhaps
  • killerandflash
    killerandflash Posts: 69,844
    Another vote for Dover, such a good and iconic location too with the WW2 history as well. Not too restored either. If you'd gone down there today you could have watched the Charlton match too!

  • mart77
    mart77 Posts: 5,658
    Our students enjoyed visiting Mountfitchet Castle which is close to Stansted Airport and has a few bits to see.

    Some of my faves are Hever, Leeds, Warwick, Rochester and Carisbrooke on the Isle of Wight which has some nice Charles I pieces.
  • killerandflash
    killerandflash Posts: 69,844
    Corfe Castle in Dorset is a beautiful ruined castle. Steam trains run past it too
  • cafckev
    cafckev Posts: 2,914
    killerandflash said:

    Corfe Castle in Dorset is a beautiful ruined castle. Steam trains run past it too

    Agreed, Corfe castle is fantastic. Another local (ish) one is Deal castle, or Upnor castle although I haven't been there. Rochester is nice, but just the keep so only a short visit.
  • C_A_F_C
    C_A_F_C Posts: 3,866
    edited July 2017
    The Elephant and
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  • sam3110
    sam3110 Posts: 21,260
    Leeds Castle is breathtaking, Dover has heart pounding history, Hever has a water maze and you could get her to wear a white shirt
  • NomadicAddick
    NomadicAddick Posts: 2,114
    Severndroog
  • Baldybonce
    Baldybonce Posts: 9,640
    Not exactly castles but Eltham Palace and the Tudor Barn would be worth a visit.
  • Raith_C_Chattonell
    Raith_C_Chattonell Posts: 5,677
    Could do the grand tour of Kentish castles, 15 here for starters.
    http://www.kentlive.news/15-castles-you-can-visit-in-kent-for-a-family-day-out/story-30067505-detail/whatson/story.html
  • ricky_otto
    ricky_otto Posts: 22,600
    edited July 2017
    Take her to the castle in Walthamstow - decent pub. Ply her with drinks, she gets her Castle wish and you have a better chance of achieving your goal. :wink:
  • Sillybilly
    Sillybilly Posts: 9,234
    edited July 2017
    Scotney Castle is nice and not far away. Quite cutesy and romantic. Hint. Hint.
  • HarryLime
    HarryLime Posts: 1,295
    Tower of London, pre book, go early and midweek to avoid queues. Jewels, beautiful medieval graffiti, suits of armour, history oozing from every stone. Arm yourself with a few facts about the likes of Raleigh and Lady Jane Grey, The Princes and Anne Boylen. Maybe show her The Monument after.
  • shirty5
    shirty5 Posts: 19,221
    Severndroog
  • Henry Irving
    Henry Irving Posts: 85,221
    Not a castle but Ightam Mote is very pretty, from the 1300s, has a moat and was owned by Americans.

    National Trust too and close to Sevenoaks so can do Knowle House on the same trip.
  • AFKABartram
    AFKABartram Posts: 57,825
    Only started visiting these in last couple of years whilst searching for days out with the kids, been hugely enjoyable and shocking that I managed to get to roughly 40 without visiting none of these places!

    For access to her underground tunnel, Dover definitely sounds your best bet.

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