On our way down to our holiday cottage near Alnwick we visited
Dunstanburgh Castle. I have always wanted to visit and it didn't disappoint.
We walked in from the north since that was the way we were coming from, the more usual route is from
Craster to the south, and had the most stunning views of the castle ahead of us. It was a huge castle in it's day (the 14th century, so it is very old) and built to be grand and impressive. Flooded areas were dug along the base of the outcrop - I think they were called meres - partly just to reflect the castle and increase the sense of grandeur. It has been so wet recently that they were very well flooded when we visited.
Within the castle walls, and on top of the outcrop, there's lots of space to run and play. And the views up and down the coast were fantastic. We were lucky to have such a clear day.
The castle is managed by
English Heritage and, as we're members of
Historic Scotland, it was a free visit for us. I'm not sure how much family membership of English Heritage is but we find that Historic Scotland is great value - we have a lot of castles around us in East Lothian and often when we go away there's one or two en route or near where we are staying. I'd love to visit the odd stately home too but I think we'll have to wait a year or two yet..........it makes me nervous even to think of visiting one. My children aren't the kind to walk quietly around and not bump into things. They are very good at climbing and jumping, but still and calm - not so much.
Oooooo, it's getting so chilly here now. Time for cardigans, fires, hot chocolate, closed shutters and drawn curtains. I love it. Just as I know I'll love the change sometime next year when it is warm enough to open the windows, leave the back door open and leave off the layers.
I hope you keep warm and cosy wherever you are. Have a lovely weekend. xx
8 comments:
It was hard to sleep last because of the heat, fans on windows open all night. What a lovely walk, fancy having castles where you live, Australia is such a your country. Great photo of the reflection in the lake.
Your walks always look like so much fun! Stunning castle!
I couldn't cope with stately homes visits either ;)
We joined the NTS this year. I think we've managed to get our moneysworth! Next year we'll probably switch to Historic Scotland and see how they compare.
Chilly here too now, it's been lovely these last couple of days. The Autumn colours are great this year.
Beautiful! Lochs like mirrors, stunning. I LOVE old castles. The more ruined the better :-) Another cracker of a walk x
What a beautiful place, and impressive castle! I like the corner towers.
Such a cute Katie-face as always. :)
We have English Heritage membership, for us it works out better than national trust as we have nothing close, but have lots of castle ruins within a drive away. Love Dunstanburgh lots
Gosh, it's been a very long time since I visited Dunstanburgh!
We always got most benefit from a Heritage membership when our four were small. English Heritage has some lovely unfurnished ancient houses ... much safer with littlies!
It is free for National trust members too.
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