Theoretically, the country could be comprised of 180 small kingdoms of 30,000 people, each with its own castle or chateau. Unfortunately, because of a lack of maintenance, there are just 120 castles with visible remains and even most of those are largely in ruins. For visitors, there are luckily still dozens of castles to tour replete with their majesty and cold beauty.

As a mountainous country, Slovakia is naturally predisposed to castles that use the high ground, and stone as construction material. Starting in the Middle Ages and up to the 18th century, the aristocracy of the Kingdom of Hungary preferred to build their castles in Slovakia’s easy-to-defend territory, art historian Peter Kresánek says… (View original article)

Theoretically, the country could be comprised of 180 small kingdoms of 30,000 people, each with its own castle or chateau. Unfortunately, because of a lack of maintenance, there are just 120 castles with visible remains and even most of those are largely in ruins. For visitors, there are luckily still dozens of castles to tour replete with their majesty and cold beauty.

As a mountainous country, Slovakia is naturally predisposed to castles that use the high ground, and stone as construction material. Starting in the Middle Ages and up to the 18th century, the aristocracy of the Kingdom of Hungary preferred to build their castles in Slovakia’s easy-to-defend territory, art historian Peter Kresánek says… (View original article)

28th June 2016

Malahide Castle and Gardens are delighted to announce the return of Chapterhouse again this summer for their open air performances on the magnificent private West Lawn, where they welcomed the cast of Sherlock Holmes and The Railway Children.
Chapterhouse will present both Sherlock Holmes and the Hound of the Baskervilles and The Railway Children. The Hound of the Baskervilles will take place on Friday, 29th July at 7.30pm and The Railway Children takes place on… (View original article)

A Cruising Couple
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June 27, 2016 9:00 PM ET

Belgium is easily one of our favorite destinations in the world, but it didn’t start out that way. In our initial visit, we didn’t even get to go as off-the-beaten-track as we would have liked. (We spent most of our time in Brussels, Bruges and Antwerp.) But between the food, the architecture, the people, it didn’t take long for us to fall in love with all the gems Belgium has to offer. Here are six reasons we know you’… (View original article)

A castle on Anglesey, will finally be ‘completed’ over 700 years after it was first built.

Visitors will be able to experience Edward I’s castle as it was originally intended, for the very first time thanks to a £170,000 investment from the Welsh Government’s historic environment service (Cadw).

Building of the castle began in 1295 as part of efforts made by Edward I to cement his conquest of Wales.

Despite never being completed, the… (View original article)

Lowther Commemorates Battle of Somme with Wildflower Garden

2016 is the centenary of the Battle of the Somme and many commemorative events are taking place across Britain. Lowther Castle is hosting its own special tribute – a wildflower garden and outdoor exhibition in memory of its home-grown Lonsdale Battalion.

Of all the tragic events that took place during World War I, the Battle of the Somme masterminded by General Haig and his cohorts stands out as our darkest… (View original article)

Tomorrow (Saturday) sees The Heroes Band playing inside the grounds of Herstmonceux Castle on what should be an emotional and uplifting occasion.

The charity concert at 6pm is in support of Help For Heroes.

The Heroes Band is taking a break from its social engagements like Royal Ascot and Wimbledon, and the regular London venues such as the Royal Festival Hall to perform a one off charity concert in this beautiful and historic setting.

The purpose of the … (View original article)

Sacel Castle, in a part of Transylvania known locally as the Land of Hateg, is not open to the public, but Dacian Muntean, my guide, has arranged for us to get in. I’ve seen the entryway in old photographs—Persian rugs, a piano, a grand staircase lit by a round, cathedral-like window of leaded glass.

That is nothing like what I find before me. If it weren’t for the window, I wouldn’t recognize it at all. Swallows fly through where the panes once were and sunsh… (View original article)