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llywelaSo I've had a week off work and spent most of it getting out and about, seeing the sights, and I've accrued quite a lot of photos, so watch out for upcoming picspams!
Starting with Usk. Usk is lovely - a pretty little market town out in the old Marches, with a gorgeous early medieval castle at its heart. Constructed on the site of an old Roman fort, Usk Castle was built by the Normans in the 12th century, when it would have been a site of enormous strategic significance, sitting as it does along the Wales-England border and commanding sight lines clear across the valley. It has a colourful history prior to falling into ruin, and is now privately owned by the Humphreys family, who live in what was originally the castle gatehouse - the castle itself is essentially their back garden! Open to visitors with only an honesty box at the gate by way of entry fee, the ancient walls and towers of the castle are tumbledown, covered with creepers, and open to roam about at will in a way that would never be allowed by Cadw or the National Trust.
When I visited this week, the family had their grandchildren visiting and the children were running wild around the ruins, dressed up as medieval lords and ladies having an absolute whale of a time. "I don't suppose you happened to spot any ghosts in the garrison tower?" asked Mrs Humphreys with a grin as she wandered past me to do some gardening. Just imagine having all that as your garden!
I also took a stroll along the river Usk, which is really pretty.
All in all, a lovely day out!
Starting with Usk. Usk is lovely - a pretty little market town out in the old Marches, with a gorgeous early medieval castle at its heart. Constructed on the site of an old Roman fort, Usk Castle was built by the Normans in the 12th century, when it would have been a site of enormous strategic significance, sitting as it does along the Wales-England border and commanding sight lines clear across the valley. It has a colourful history prior to falling into ruin, and is now privately owned by the Humphreys family, who live in what was originally the castle gatehouse - the castle itself is essentially their back garden! Open to visitors with only an honesty box at the gate by way of entry fee, the ancient walls and towers of the castle are tumbledown, covered with creepers, and open to roam about at will in a way that would never be allowed by Cadw or the National Trust.
When I visited this week, the family had their grandchildren visiting and the children were running wild around the ruins, dressed up as medieval lords and ladies having an absolute whale of a time. "I don't suppose you happened to spot any ghosts in the garrison tower?" asked Mrs Humphreys with a grin as she wandered past me to do some gardening. Just imagine having all that as your garden!
I also took a stroll along the river Usk, which is really pretty.
All in all, a lovely day out!
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no subject
Date: 2014-08-23 09:25 pm (UTC)Beautiful part of your world. All that history in your own backyard.
Thanks for sharing.
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Date: 2014-08-25 02:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-08-25 08:58 pm (UTC)