Yesterday was all about the Abbey’s and today is Castle day!
Whittington Castle was built in 1220, though this spot has been used for over 1000 years before as a hill fort. Interesting tidbit about is that this was one of the only flower and herb garden in England during this time. Friends of the castle owners would visit just to see the gardens and sit amongst all those scents.
Old Oswestry is an Iron age hillfort from circa 800 BC (2800+ years ago!). After the Romans invaded the area in 43 AD. Since then it’s been used for many different purposes — during the civil war, this kept the Welsh away from the English. During WWI, this spot was used as a training ground. Really lovely view from the top.
In typical fashion in Europe, pancake picnic lunch — this time with Paul <3
Crossing the border next into Wales to Castell Caergwrle. Just a kilometer up the hill. I repeat, up.the.hill. This one reminds me I’m ‘slightly’ out of shape these days. The view is always worth the climb, but man this one was tough. This castle is the last Welsh Castle to be built by a Welsh Prince.
Castell Ewloe was the opposite — the only castle we’ve ever visited that was actually down a valley buried in the forest. So the walk down was lovely, the walk back out of the valley probably would have been fine if we hadn’t just climbed Mt Everest and hour earlier. Either way, such an interesting concept being so hidden in the woods.
Castell Flint is on the coast. Another one of the last castles built in Wales.
Easy dinner after all the adventures, since we lived in the UK, we have missed some of the easy pre-made meals, so we grabbed a couple at the grocery store. Tomorrow we pick up friends to head back to our second home to meet some more.
