Castle on the Hudson, Tarrytown

Advantages: Cool designer chic
Disadvantages: Small rooms and ambivalent staff

...The Hudson is part of a chain of boutique hotels including the Sanderson in London and three other properties in New York. Infamous for small rooms and snooty staff the hotel claims to offer value for money chic for a trendy young crowd with money to spend but not to waste. After spotting a special offer on the web it sounded an interesting place for a short break in the Big Apple. It would have been easy to miss the entrance to the hotel had it not been for the queue of people wanting to get into the hotel bar. Immediately one of the major benefits of being a guest became apparent – entry to the Hudson Bar. Checking in was quick and efficient. Despite booking online and paying considerably less than the advertised room rate, we were treated with the same ambivalence as the very glamorous and expensively dressed couple in front... Read review

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Advantages: Lots to see and do. Beautiful castle and great community feel.
Disadvantages: Some of the outlying estates aren't quite as pretty.

...One of the first things you see as you approach Bolsover from Chesterfield is the imposing sight of Bolsover Castle. As you get nearer it seems to loom overhead and gets closer and closer as you climb the steep hill up to the town. Once you have reached the summit and enter Bolsover the castle becomes obscured by the buildings and you will now be on the same level as the castle. It isn't hard to see why Bolsover built up where it did. Sited on the top of the steep hillside, guarded by the impressive looking castle, this little market town has become a bustling community and a popular tourist destination. The hill made it the perfect place to defend ~ anybody trying to attack the settlement would be clearly seen by those guarding. The town (which was originally fortified) has since built up around the castle grounds... Read review

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Advantages: Free admission. Full of historical information.
Disadvantages: Scant remains. Poor visitor centre.

...Standing amid the scant ruins of Pontefract Castle as it is pummelled by the persistent precipitation that dominates this year in Yorkshire, it is somewhat difficult to imagine that this castle was once one of the strongest and most resilient castles in England. Today, Pontefract Castle stands a little forlorn and forgotten, yet Pontefract Castle was once mighty and played an important part in English history. During the civil wars, the castle was besieged three times and was the last Royalist stronghold only surrendered after Charles 1st was beheaded. It was also a prison for a number of important prisoners and a place of execution; employed as an armoury and finally as a storehouse for liquorice!!! Once heavily fortified and stringently guarded, the castle now lies open to visitors (free of charge) from 8.30 a.m. until dusk. A two... Read review

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