Hame Castle (Hameen linna), Haemeenlinna

Advantages: Clean, friendly, safe for kids, good quality
Disadvantages: A looooong way if you are driving from Southern England

...This spring I spent two weeks at Grannie's Heilan Hame Caravan Park at Embo, near Dornoch in north eastern Scotland with my daughter and a friend and his two sons. We stayed in a Linnhe caravan which was the best caravan I have ever stayed in. There was plenty of space for two families without getting on top of each other. The living area was big and it had proper double glazing and domestic style central heating (not the scary gas fires normally found in caravans). It also had an excellent shower which you could actualy enjoy - not a dribble of luke warm water. It also had a fridge freezer, microwave, TV/Video combo and a cd player/radio. The site is very clean and well maintained and has good amenities. It has a good playground for very small children and a good adventure playground for the older kids. It has a swimming pool... 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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Advantages: First gothic folly to be built in Europe, an immense and varied history, its haunted....
Disadvantages: Been allowed to decay by an absentee owner, neglected by the local authorities, continues to fall into disrepair by the day, parts are now collapsing

...= = = Introduction = = = First things first, for you English folk, Gwrych (pronounced gw’reek, kind of, obviously you need to learn how to pronounce ‘ch’ in Welsh to give it the real pronunciation!). Gwrych means hedge in Welsh. = = = Where is Gwrych Castle? = = = Gwrych Castle can be found in Abergele, North Wales. Overlooking the sea and the main route in North Wales (the A55) you can’t fail to miss Gwrych Castle as you pass by. = = = History = = = The foundation stone for Gwrych Castle was laid on the 13th June 1819 and was built by Lloyd Hesketh Bamford Hesketh. The expertise of Thomas Rickman was utilised in the design of Gwrych and its many cast iron windows. Gwrych Castle once had an Outer Hall, an Inner Hall, two Smoke Rooms, Dining Room, a Drawing Room, a Billiards Room, an Oak Study... Read review

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