The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - Return of the Ring and Barrow-Downs Mega-moot

Lalwendë · 06-09-2012, 02:42 PM

I think you would be fairly spoilt for choice with castles and historic houses all around the region so here's a few I recommend:

Bolsover Castle. The Castle might not be medieval but is pure fairytale. This one was remodelled to be a Cavalier's pleasure palace, there's the outer castle which is mostly wrecked apart from the huge riding school (Vienna is not the only place to have had one) and the Little Castle which isn't little, and is amazing. It's a pleasure house, panelled with all kinds of elaborate artwork and a few smutty Cavalier paintings too

It also has a breathtaking view and lovely grounds, nice for picnics and running around.

Conisbrough Castle. This time, an actual medieval castle! Therefore, it's quite small, but is also a lot of fun to visit, and uniquely, it has a roof and floors so you won't just be looking up at the shell of a keep. You can go inside and explore and take photos sitting in the Lord's chair/garderobe etc (it's almost traditional to look for the garderobe in British castles and take a photo of someone sitting on it....). They have their annual Pageant of Knights on 18/19 August, run by Escafeld, a local re-enactment group (who take things very seriously!).

Chatsworth. Very famous, very expensive and very lovely. This is Mr Darcy's house in both the film and the novel. It's easy to spend the whole day looking around the house and grounds, and it's also possible just to pay to park for the day and wander across the estate rather than go in the house.

Haddon Hall. This one has been in loads of film and TV things from The Princess Bride to Jane Eyre. I love this place as it's about as close to a fairytale medieval manor house as it's possible to get.

A few other things......To the east, Lincoln isn't far and I'd recommend the Cathedral, which is a massive Gothic/Romanesque edifice and has cloisters which I think were used in Harry Potter. There is also the castle on the other part of the hilltop, and they have the Magna Carta. Walk up or down Steep Hill to enjoy the ancient buildings and lovely bookshops.

Newark is an under-rated gem, with a huge old market square with no modern buildings at all, and nearby is Southwell which is also ancient. Of course, there is the Sherwood Forest park, and attractions in Nottingham. There's also Cresswell Crags which have neolithic cave art - I've not been in many years though and now they have a new visitor centre so it's probably very different to how it was when I last went! And Newstead Abbey, Lord Byron's home. And various DH Lawrence visitor centres.

06-09-2012, 02:42 PM	#4
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	I think you would be fairly spoilt for choice with castles and historic houses all around the region so here's a few I recommend: Bolsover Castle. The Castle might not be medieval but is pure fairytale. This one was remodelled to be a Cavalier's pleasure palace, there's the outer castle which is mostly wrecked apart from the huge riding school (Vienna is not the only place to have had one) and the Little Castle which isn't little, and is amazing. It's a pleasure house, panelled with all kinds of elaborate artwork and a few smutty Cavalier paintings too It also has a breathtaking view and lovely grounds, nice for picnics and running around. Conisbrough Castle. This time, an actual medieval castle! Therefore, it's quite small, but is also a lot of fun to visit, and uniquely, it has a roof and floors so you won't just be looking up at the shell of a keep. You can go inside and explore and take photos sitting in the Lord's chair/garderobe etc (it's almost traditional to look for the garderobe in British castles and take a photo of someone sitting on it....). They have their annual Pageant of Knights on 18/19 August, run by Escafeld, a local re-enactment group (who take things very seriously!). Chatsworth. Very famous, very expensive and very lovely. This is Mr Darcy's house in both the film and the novel. It's easy to spend the whole day looking around the house and grounds, and it's also possible just to pay to park for the day and wander across the estate rather than go in the house. Haddon Hall. This one has been in loads of film and TV things from The Princess Bride to Jane Eyre. I love this place as it's about as close to a fairytale medieval manor house as it's possible to get. A few other things......To the east, Lincoln isn't far and I'd recommend the Cathedral, which is a massive Gothic/Romanesque edifice and has cloisters which I think were used in Harry Potter. There is also the castle on the other part of the hilltop, and they have the Magna Carta. Walk up or down Steep Hill to enjoy the ancient buildings and lovely bookshops. Newark is an under-rated gem, with a huge old market square with no modern buildings at all, and nearby is Southwell which is also ancient. Of course, there is the Sherwood Forest park, and attractions in Nottingham. There's also Cresswell Crags which have neolithic cave art - I've not been in many years though and now they have a new visitor centre so it's probably very different to how it was when I last went! And Newstead Abbey, Lord Byron's home. And various DH Lawrence visitor centres. __________________ Gordon's alive!