But there’s also a field of tents with storytellers, musicians and craftsmen, plus the food of the period and the chance to meet a knight and his mastiff. There’s a 12th Century ruined medieval castle which is really fun to explore. There was no need for a keep because the towers were used for defense. The Castle also has an array of self-catered lodging options, historic gardens to wander, over 5 miles of scenic woodland trails to explore, and family-friendly events ranging from arts & crafts to live music. Ten minutes-walk away is Bodiam station where seasonal steam train journeys are run by Kent and East Sussex Railway. It was originally built out of wood by William the Conqueror between 1070 and 1086. The food is superb and, when I visited with a friend who has Celiac Disease, we couldn’t have been more impressed with the splendid gluten-free afternoon tea they served. It’s a striking, very well-preserved medieval castle located in the heart of Wensleydale. The Castle is at the top of Steep Hill – and believe me when I say it deserves its name. Armadale Castle was abandoned by the MacDonalds around 100 years ago and gradually fell into ruin. As Skye is another popular destination for visitors to Scotland, most people combine a trip to Skye and Eilean Donan Castle. Today it is where the Inverness Sheriff Court is based, and only the castle grounds and the north tower are open to the public. The workers might have had to destroy whole forests to build part of a castle, and then to heat it after it was built.
Overlooking the Carew Inlet, it was an important defensive site in olden times. Many of the stone castles of the Middle Ages still stand. This has lots of floors with many rooms that you can look in. The same safe and trusted content for explorers of all ages. Opening hours vary depending on the season. This imposing castle dates from 1177 when it was built by Norman John de Courcy. Originally it started out as a royal castle around 1200 and Scottish kings would stay on their travels around the country including Robert the Bruce. It was originally built as a Motte and Bailey castle.
It’s also one of the most beautiful, surrounded by a network of three lakes that gave it extra protection. Mermaid’s Cave, the beautiful cavern underneath the castle, and the drawbridge entrance are guaranteed to set children’s imaginations on fire while the long drop under the ancient toilets will bring endless questions and giggles. The castle is now managed by English Heritage and the ruins represent a great day out for families. This worksheet can be edited by Premium members using the free Google Slides online software. The mansion house at Armadale was the former home of the MacDonalds. If you’re not a bat, you can’t enter it, but there’s a sign there explaining all there is to know about the hotel – for the bats.
A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by the nobility.
When the kids are ready to run about, take them to the far end of the castle by the munitions buildings, plenty of space to run about and climb.
And there’s a great collection of medieval siege weapons you can explore, which are occasionally fired across the lake. The castle runs tours daily and Chestnuts Tea Shop is perfect for enjoying a quintessential English tea experience. Doune Castle is a 14th Century Castle located in Doune, Scotland. We were there with the kids because there is a huge a new playground which has been constructed at the far end of the gardens called #thelostcastle . Over the Middle Ages it changed hands a lot, but in the late 1700s was blown up by government forces. The ruins of the medieval Dunluce Castle are perched on the edge of jutting coastal cliffs on Northern Ireland’s stunning Causeway Coastal Route. Please note: Text within images is not translated, some features may not work properly after translation, and the translation may not accurately convey the intended meaning. The moat was a ring of water surrounding a castle. Then there’s an intact 17th Century castle that was built by the Cavendish family. Wander the impressive castle walls, climb the many towers for outstanding views across Caernarfon, and visit the Royal Welsh Fusiliers Museum based at the castle. Medieval Europe Presentations at Mr. Donn. The entrance fee is very reasonable too (£4 adult and £2.40 children under 16) and it’s both fun and educational. There is a fantastic selection of castles in the UK, and while we’ve been to quite a few, there are hundreds that we haven’t made it to yet. Though it changed hands quite a lot of times through the years, it now belongs to the Carew family, but Pembrokeshire National Park Trust now leases it. You can still walk all round the earthworks of the dry moat though. These include witnessing the largest working siege machine in action, which can launch a projectile over 150 metres!
Young knights and knightesses can join Sir Edward’s army at the castle’s boot camp training sessions or learn about medieval crafts in the tented village. Feudalism. Then head upstairs to the Queen’s chambers where you’ll find actors talk to you about the life of the Queen as a child and the workings of the castle. The closest train station would be Polegate – but you’ll need to grab a cab the rest of the drive in! And you can even witness a jousting competition as the famous Wars of the Roses unfold in front of your eyes! Windsor Castle is England's largest castle.