English Castles-Dunster Castle
I find it fascinating that the first English castles began to appear about a thousand years ago while we still had Indians running around here in buffalo hides!
Castles were built for various reasons. Some were built to prevent invasions or attack and some simply for their beauty and magnificence.
Spotting castles along my journey in England in 2006 was such a magical experience for me. To this Texas gal, castles were only in make-believe and fairy tales.
The photo below was taken from our moving vehicle of Dunster Castle. I didn't get to stop to visit, but I have since done some research on this particular castle. I thought you might enjoy it.
A List of Castles with Links
The following list of English castles can be found Castles.me.uk.
Hever Castle
Windsor Castle
Warwick Castle
Leeds Castle
Pontefract Castle
Bodiam Castle
Caister Castle
Allington Castle
Dunster Castle
Dunster Castle is located high atop a wooded hill in the town of Dunster, Somerset, England. It is built of bright red sandstone. Its size and position within the trees made it most impressive from the roadway we were on below.
According to the research I've done, this castle's location was chosen for its natural defensive position when it was built some time before 1066 during the medieval time period. The castle was granted by William the Conqueror to William de Mohun, a Norman baron.
Dunster Castle became the home of the Luttrell family in 1375 and remained their home for over 600 years. When Sir. George Luttrell inherited the castle it was in pretty bad shape and needed repairs. In 1617, an architect was hired to begin erecting a new house in the lower ward of the castle. There were many modifications primarily in the 16th-19th centuries. A magnificently carved staircase and a plaster ceiling in the dining room were added in 1681.
Colonel Sir Walter Luttrell, a WWII veteran at Normandy gave Dunster Castle and the greater part of its contents to the National Trust in 1976.
Dunster Castle is now open to the public and home to the National Plant Collection of Strawberry Trees.
The National Trust has installed solar panels behind the battlements on the roof in order to provide electricity and make the premises more environmentally friendly. This is the first time this has been done on a Grade I listed building, and is expected to save three tonnes of carbon a year.
Links and Resources
- Pictures of Dunster Castle & Garden
Explore Dunster Castle & Garden with pictures, history & maps from PicturesOfEngland.com - Medieval Times & Castles
Medieval Times and Castles - Locate Castle UK Index A
List of English Scottish and Welsh Castles in England Scotland Wales Pinpoint locations of Norman motte and bailey fortresses, medieval castles, towers, baronial mansions, bastle houses, monastic gatehouses, fortified churches and artillery fortifica - English Castles
Visit this site dedicated to providing facts and information about English Castles.Fast and accurate details about English Castles.Learn about the English Castles. - List of English Places With Castles
Comments
oh wow i sill cant belive my family used to own this, i sill havethe famil crest and eveything, im glad the trees are sill there.
I would love to tour a castle in Europe! :)
Interesting hub. :)
Are any of the castles in the English Castles video inhabited privately?
- AUTHOR
Thanks Dutchman. I am fascinated by them. I would love to tour one. I just have this image of them being cold and damp and for that reason I wouldn't want to stay in one. I might be persuaded though. This one just looked so cool from the roadway below.
I enjoyed this, have an attraction to castles, would love to stay in one.
- AUTHOR
Thank you Alekhouse! I love them too! I'm dying to tour one and stay in one!
Wow! Just watched the video "English Castles" It was incredible. Had to watch it a couple of times. I love castles and have seen a lot of them, but never in England, except for Windsor Castle in London. Interesting hub, loved reading about Dunster. Good hub....thanks
- AUTHOR
I hope to, too 2Patricias! Thanks for stopping by.
Jerille: They are cool, aren't they?! I'm hooked to. Thanks for stopping by.
Loved learning about the castle. Saw some castles in Spain and have been hooked ever since on visiting as many as I could.
We hope that you come back to England and have a slower trip! It really is worth it to concentrate on a small area. Pack for variable weather (LOL).
- AUTHOR
Thank you dohn! I did only write about one castle, you know....there are plenty more. If you write a castle hub I'll link it here. ;)
Yeah, the heating has to be horrible in them! I still want to tour one. I saw several when I was in England, but always while we were on the way to somewhere.
You have such good ideas for hubs, Big Country. I kick myself for not thinking of it first! I'd like to own one of these castles, but my heating bill would be through the roof!
11