Can you see the fairy-tale castle in the distance?
This is Bolton Castle, in Wensleydale, Yorkshire and this tantalizing glimpse is the most I've ever seen of it until today. The first time was in 1967 on a trip to Yorkshire (on my first trip north of Norfolk!) and it has always intrigued me. The romantic feelings this view arouses in me may well have something to do with the fact that, as we chugged along the dale in a bottle green Triumph Herald all those years ago, a flash sports car overtook us - Dirk Bogarde was at the wheel and the beautiful French film star Capucine was his passenger. (Were they? Did they? Was he...?)
Today we saw the castle up close and the romance survived.
Bolton Castle stands in a beautiful limestone landscape - too rugged for Mr N's taste, but I grew up with tree-less chalk downs and cliffs and so its familiar bleakness warms my heart.
Some parts of the castle are ruined, but many rooms remain including the bedroom of Sir Richard le Scrope, who built the castle in the late 1300s. In the 16th century Mary Queen of Scots was "imprisoned" in the castle with a retinue of 30 knights and 6 ladies-in-waiting. Cooks, grooms, hairdresser, embroiderer, apothecary, physician, surgeon and more knights took lodgings nearby.
Mary was allowed to take walks and go hunting, though it is said that her main amusement while at the castle was having her hair done!
Our main amusement today was to climb the tower and to see what Mary saw.
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I visited the castle in 1994 with my husband, son, and wonderful brother-in-law. Ray, who lived in Lancashire, took us on a castles and antiques tour through the north of England. One of my favorite trips ever!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful! I hope you enjoyed the romantic setting as much as we did.
DeleteMary was a thorn in the side of Bess of Hardwick when her husband was looking after her in that castle.
ReplyDeleteSounds interesting - I intend to follow that story up. Bess sounds as if she was fairly tough so Mary must have been a real nuisance!
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteWe also have tales of Dirk Bogarde.........but they do not involve a woman in the front seat of a car........quite the reverse!
These are wonderfully romantic photographs of this glorious countryside. We have never visited Bolton Castle and have to confess to being on the side of Mr N with regard to the landscape. Nevertheless, it makes an incredible landmark and holds so many secrets within its walls.
Oooooh! I wish you would tell, but I fear you are much too discreet.
DeleteFabulous spot and castle - I actually like seeing the wide open spaces where you can really appreciate the landscape with its variety of hues from deep blue through mauve to green.
ReplyDeleteI agree - the "greening" of the Dales is very slow this year but the colours are wonderfully fresh and subtle.
DeleteWOW! That castle. I got a real feeling for how it must be to have a place like that in the middle of your village. Incredible. I do think England has some utterly amazing spots. Thanks for this. I love Yorkshire and it's a place I want to go back to this year.
ReplyDeleteAmazing indeed - which is good for us as we are not very adventurous travellers!
DeleteWhat a fabulous day for visiting Bolton Castle. Great views from the top. Like the idea of having my own embroiderer.
ReplyDeleteThe interior is great fun too with plenty to see - archery lessons and falconry displays take place several times a day so it's a very entertaining place for children. If you ever visit the Dales nearby Hawes has a very interesting Countryside Museum. The whole area is packed with exciting things to do.
DeleteYes, yes. This landscape does it for me, Nilly. Such a beautiful castle and incredible views. Nostalgia overload for me....
ReplyDeleteAxxx
Yes Annie, it almost beats the rest of the UK - but you can't get much more romantic than castles in Spain!
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