This is the 3rd post of our mini Norfolk series. If you’ve missed the last two, please click here and here. Thank you!
Right after we visited Norfolk lavender farm, we headed off to Castle Rising which wasn’t too far from the farm. A bonus since we wanted to visit as much places as we can in a day.
Castle Rising is a medieval castle which was first built in 1138 by Norman lord William d’ Albini for his new wife, the widow of Henry I. Later in the 14th century, it also became the home of Queen Isabella, another widow and who also supposedly murdered her husband King Edward II. Ah these royals and their secrets and scandals.
I love old ruins, the older, the better. I just can’t wrap my head around the idea that a building has been standing all these years. I touch the walls and wonder what it was like in the medieval times. What were their lives like? What were their thoughts, dreams and fears? Do you wonder the same too?
You approach the castle from the side and it is located on a hill. I believe many years ago, this was probably the site of a medieval village surrounding the castle. Like many, it is surrounded by a moat, but it’s currently a dry one.
And there it is, Castle Rising in all it’s glory and there’s little T on the ground, contemplating how it was like centuries ago.
Can you imagine Queen Isabella entering the castle, dressed in her finest gowns and jewellery. Upon entering that door, you step into a concrete stairs leading into the castle.
Can you see how much it has been restored? All these years and these steps and walls are still standing.
This is the first room you step-into from the concrete stairs. Of course, what is left are only walls and no more ceiling.
Apparently, when the ceiling collapsed (don’t know which century), they had to dig into the walls to create a hallway. See how thick the walls are:
Little T had fun exploring every nook and cranny of this medieval castle.
Surprisingly the rooms on the top floor were more restored than the ones below.
Do you think Queen Isabella whispered to these walls and admitted her guilt? I don’t think it’s ever been established whether she killed the king or not. It’s one of those royal mysteries that’s never been solved.
And outside, T also had the chance to explore the site of a Norman chapel that actually even predates Castle Rising.
Too much exploring can tire out even an energetic little girl like T.
Do you enjoy exploring medieval castles too?
I love exploring castles the mysteries and secrets the old walls hold fascinate me and sounds like a lovely adventure for you lot
Anosa recently posted…Lucy’s Fitness Journey {Part 2}
It definitely was a lovely adventure 🙂
Thank you for sharing, as I’m in a wheelchair I often don’t get to see inside these places so it’s lovely to see through your photos instead!!!
Kate Sinclair recently posted…My emergency kit bag!!
I’m glad you enjoyed the photos 🙂
We love visiting old buildings and ruins too. I love to imagine how they use to be. This castle looks so beautiful x
Cathy Glynn recently posted…Pure Pet Food – Marlow’s Choice
Same here and this one is really well preserved 🙂
This looks like such a fun day out! We love to visit castles, the children love running amongst the ruins and I love the history surrounding them!
five little doves recently posted…Summer Festival Fun with Lalaloopsy
It’s a great day out of kids, isn’t it?
I would love to explore a castle on the hill like this here. Sounds amazing.
It was amazing 🙂
I love old ruins too and I just read your other posts in the Norfolk series! I like the look of Castle Rising it is beautiful x
Ana De- Jesus recently posted…5 Reasons Why You Should Visit Bali
Thanks!
Wow 1138 really is a LONGGG time ago!! You can’t imagine it can you? Looks like a lovely day out x
Sophie’s Nursery recently posted…5 Places to Meet Your Perfect Partner
Yes, that’s mind boggling isn’t it? Amazing that it’s stood the test of time 🙂
I remember going to Castle Rising with my boys when they were young – we all loved it!! Last Friday I visited Old Wardour Castle in Wiltshire (1300s) and Sherborne Old Castle in Dorset (1100s) Yes – I did run my hands over the stones and imagined what it would be like to have lived at that time.
So sorry to have missed you Anne and John! Hopefully we’ll see you soon. We should try and visit Sherborne Old Castle next 🙂 xx
We visited Norfolk last year and I have to admit we found it a struggle finding stuff to do, but that is because it was out of season. This looks like a lovely place to explore
Kara recently posted…Dining Options at Walt Disney World
I think we might have also struggled if we weren’t members of the National Trust and English Heritage. Just makes trips so much easier with both the NT And EH 🙂
We love exploring castles . My parents live in Norfolk , we might take a trip to this one when we are there next x
Really enjoyed Norfolk, would love to visit again 🙂
Castle Rising looks like such an exciting place to explore and T looks like she’s enthralled about the whole place. I bet wondering the halls knowing that nobility had wandered along was incredible, it’s always impressive when you know things like that isn’t it? I often find myself wondering if walls could talk what would these be saying in places such as this.
Thanks for linking up with me on #CountryKids.
Same here. Just imagine what all these medieval walls would tell us!
That’s such an unusual castle isn’t it. I’m the same, love love love castles and the history that goes with them #CountryKids
It certainly is and was really impressed with how much they’ve manage to restore it 🙂
I love going to old sites like this and exploring. It is great to be able to picture how it was in years gone by and so much space form the kids to just have fun. Mich x #Countrykids
Michelle Twin Mum recently posted…WWI Weekend at Bateman’s, National Trust, East Sussex
It’s just lovely to visit places like this castle especially with little ones 🙂
What a great place to visit. I love castles. They are so interesting #CountryKids
They are indeed.
I love exploring castles and learning more about the history behind them. Castle Rising looks like such an interesting place to explore and T looks like she had a wonderful time exploring it 🙂 #countrykids
She did indeed. Thank you! 🙂
I love visiting ruins like this, beautiful and so fascinating. #CountryKids
Sara | mumturnedmom recently posted…Snapshots from the park
Indeed. Same here 🙂
Oh that looks a great place to explore, it’s so fun to find out the history of these places. My son loves finding out all the history too
Stephanie recently posted…Me and Mine – August
These places are just a joy to visit, isn’t it? 🙂