The starting point

The starting point

Monday, 3 June 2024

24/5/24 Farnham Castle

 


   Today we head to Farnham to check out Farnham Castle , through country lanes and the ever present greenery . Arriving in the carpark , this was our view , a stone walled fortress .


   This is what I'm calling the gatehouse , it has some magnificent climbing roses either side of the blue door .


   After checking the short video on the castle , we start climbing the stairs to where the drawbridge used to be . It covered the entryway and was flush to the walls , giving protection from the enemy .The uneven steps are the only protection now .


     Below the castle are a series of buildings built well after the original castle . The date on the wall plaque is 1677 - a mere 747 years ago !! This section can be rented out for functions .


    A better view of the buildings , gate house on far right .


    this is the view from inside the ruins looking back to the drawbridge . There are stairs & steps you can wander up to check it out , and we did - this is so interesting , visual history , walking in the steps of who knows how many people & soldiers , battles fought & lost , real living history .


    The views down to the gardens were excellent , we couldn't access them though unfortunately . There's stone walls surrounding the gardens , buildings , and castle ruins .


    The gatehouse from above .


    The slots in the walls up above where they repelled the attackers , were for the archers to shoot arrows at the attackers , and have protection whilst shooting .


   There was a well under a roof and the foundations of various old buildings that were on the initial mound where the castle was built .
     Down below was the entry door into the manor , with an impressive coat of arms in place above the door . You can see where the different buildings joined up . 


     More climbing roses adorning a stone wall entry to the gardens .


     Our exit from the castle was through this gateway , complete with timber doors .


    Another view of the gatehouse .


    We ventured down into the town of Farnham looking for a place to have our lunch . Stumbling on a car park , Justin found this neat little garden where we could eat out of the cool breeze - Victoria Garden . Turns out , it was a bathing pool once upon a time , but has been turned into a peaceful garden .


     We wandered around town for a look and see . Narrow main roads & footpaths with barely enough room to walk next to cars driving by .


    One pub had an impressive wind vane on top of the roof , with a sailing ship to indicate wind direction .


    Many people have told us - you'll be sick of seeing castles & church cathedrals , but for now we are still happy to have a look at them . There are so many churches here and most places we've seen in England , that & pubs - if you don't like a particular pub just go across the road and you'll find another and another .


    Couldn't resist a photo of this planter tub at an intersection in town - very British !!


     Another excellent day out with Justin , we have been really lucky to be able to get this free time with him , glad we arrived earlier than we had planned to . Here's a map link :- https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1_gZxGqi31cvJSNDtQkgUceY36IDP5qA&usp=sharing

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