Kent castles in May......(with dates!) BOOKED

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Diamond Dog
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Kent castles in May......(with dates!) BOOKED

Postby Diamond Dog » 17 Dec 2015, 20:50

Okay after my wonderfully successful trip to the Welsh castles earlier this year, I'm thinking of doing something similar to Kent next year...maybe in May but (most probably) February.

I really want to see Hever, Rochester, Leeds, Canterbury, Dover and Walmer castles.

I'm guessing the central point would be around Leeds Castle (Ashford etc?) and drive out to the castles from there (I reckon they're all within an hour from that point).

Any recommendations? Will they be open in February, actually (bugger, just thought about that)?
Last edited by Diamond Dog on 08 May 2016, 21:29, edited 4 times in total.
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Re: Kent castles in February......

Postby The Modernist » 17 Dec 2015, 22:18

If you're down Dover way, I'd take in Deal castle as well. Quite an interesting place to explore with its creepy underground tunnels. Plus it's a really nice town to spend an afternoon in. You won't want to stay too long in Dover, which apart from its castle hasn't got a lot going for it.
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/deal-castle/

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Re: Kent castles in February......

Postby Diamond Dog » 18 Dec 2015, 05:40

Ah yes, Deal..... good shout G.
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Re: Kent castles in February......

Postby Limpin' Jez McKenzie » 18 Dec 2015, 07:18

You can see deal, walmer and Dover in a day - I did this a couple of years ago driving down from London. Deal takes about 20 minutes, but it is great running round those little passages and it is a stroll of about a mile along the beach to walmer, which takes about 40 mins to look round, though the grounds are quite big as I recall. There is a fair bit to do at Dover castle.

Rochester castle is ace, but parking in Rochester is a pain of the highest order.

All of these are English heritage. Leeds castle is stunning, but privately owned.
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Re: Kent castles in February......

Postby Diamond Dog » 18 Dec 2015, 08:10

Excellent advice, much appreciated.

Yes I will look into English Heritage - it's probably cheaper to subscribe rather than pay separately for them all (and I can use in the west country later on too).
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Re: Kent castles in February......

Postby Polishgirl » 18 Dec 2015, 13:33

Would you venture into Sussex for Bodiam? It's especially nice if you go there from Tenterden ( itself worth a stroll around) on the steam train. I *think* that it was unusual in that it was one of the first castles built as a dwelling rather than as a defensive thingy. It's ruined, but good for clambering around and general atmosphere.

Hever is good- the first bit of you see is pretty castle-y, but as you go further round it, you hit a series of rooms that are from the Astors' time. There are also some waxworks- when I went, there was a group of French school children sniggering at the codpieces...

Leeds Castle is magic from the outside. I think it took us quite a long time to go round- again, some of the rooms are very 20th century in terms of furnishings etc, but they have their own charm.

Just to go off the subject, if you go near Pluckley in Kent - reputedly England's MOST HAUNTED VILLAGE :o - there's a lovely pub called the Dering Arms, in what was a hunting lodge. It's hearty and characterful, and I had the best ploughman's ever there. They're particularly good on fish and seafood, apparently.
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Re: Kent castles in February......

Postby Diamond Dog » 18 Dec 2015, 15:44

I want to do Bodiam Pippa, but probably not this time.... it's not a 'real' castle anyway, is it (but it looks fab).

Thanks for the other tips too.
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Re: Kent castles in February......

Postby Six String » 22 Feb 2016, 03:30

Is Stephen's place on the list? :)
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Re: Kent castles in February......

Postby Diamond Dog » 22 Feb 2016, 04:52

Well I didn't make it in February so looks like either May or June.....
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Re: Kent castles in February......

Postby KeithPratt » 24 Feb 2016, 14:29

do say hello then

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Re: Kent castles in February......

Postby Diamond Dog » 26 Feb 2016, 09:30

If you're in that area I would gladly have a quick bevy with ou Toby.
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Re: Kent castles in February......

Postby Quaco » 01 Mar 2016, 02:37

Polishgirl wrote:Would you venture into Sussex for Bodiam? It's especially nice if you go there from Tenterden ( itself worth a stroll around) on the steam train. I *think* that it was unusual in that it was one of the first castles built as a dwelling rather than as a defensive thingy. It's ruined, but good for clambering around and general atmosphere.

Also a Donovan location! (I guess most people know that?)
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Re: Kent castles in February......

Postby Cantankerous » 02 Mar 2016, 18:03

Kent's my county Jim-lad

I'll look you up.

Yes, I'll look you up

[If it's the half term week I'll come to one of them with you!]






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Re: Kent castles in February......

Postby Diamond Dog » 06 May 2016, 11:02

Now looking like I may well be visiting Tue May 24-Fri May27... YAY....
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Re: Kent castles in May......(with dates!) BOOKED

Postby Diamond Dog » 08 May 2016, 21:30

Well I've booked a B&B in Canterbury for three days...Tues 2th May, leaving Fri 27th.

Will be very busy but really looking forward to it.

Not sure exactly where Toby & Stephen are in Kent?
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Re: Kent castles in May......(with dates!) BOOKED

Postby KeithPratt » 11 May 2016, 15:08

I'm in Tunbridge Wells.

Those dates aren't great for me sadly as my evenings are currently loaded with revision for exams.

Have fun though!

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Re: Kent castles in May......(with dates!) BOOKED

Postby Diamond Dog » 23 May 2016, 19:20

Had to cancel.... the foot problems have flared up again :(
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