.....sitting beside what was once the main highway from Gloucester to Hereford is The Green Man Inn. Built during the first year of the reign of Henry Vll in 1485, this ancient hostelry has now been an important part of village life for almost 550 years
We loved staying in this characterful building which still retains much of its original architectural features - narrow stairways, beamed ceilings, inglenook fireplaces, and beautifully carved doors.
Following an enjoyable evening meal, and a good nights sleep, we set off in search of the ruins of Goodrich Castle, a castle that is considered to be one of the finest examples of British military architecture.
Having climbed up the tree lined hillside, and walked past this stately tree, we suddenly caught our first glimpse of the impressive castle ruins.
The central tower, the Keep, seen above, was built using limestone around 1148. It is unlike the rest of the castle which was built later and used red sandstone.
The keep still retains its original Norman arched windows, which are now home to families of House Martins - Delichon urbicum. If you look carefully you can spot one of their neatly made mud nests. The whole castle was home to a very large colony of them, all busily catching insects and feeding their young.
The Castle commands scenic views over the surrounding countryside across the River Wye. Its position here controlled a key location between Monmouth and Ross-on-Wye.
The tiny archway at the bottom of the latrines required a small unfortunate boy, tasked with the job of cleaning them out!!!
Goodrich is a lovely castle. I have visited it several times over the years. Love your atmospheric photos.
ReplyDeleteGoodrich Castle far exceeded our expectations - we loved it.
DeleteI had to look up the meaning of inglenook fireplace - and now I know! The tree you portray is magnificent and especially current for me since I have recently been reading quite extensively about the history of trees in the British landscape. Add a colony of House Martins and it’s happy time for me!
ReplyDeleteTrees, birds, wild flowers - most of what you admire David, I do too. By the way the Swift book is currently being read by my husband who is thoroughly enjoying it - I am looking forward to getting my hands on it next.
DeleteEven in ruins, the castle is a magnificent structure. And I love the Green Man Inn's painted sign!
ReplyDeleteThe ruins are extensive and take time to explore with lots of steps and passageways.
DeleteImpressive views. I wonder if the green man was the British version of Pan, the spirit of wild nature. Several villages still have a local dress up every year as the green man including one up here covered head to toe in leaf, small branches, and sticky burrs being escorted round the village, including the local pubs.
ReplyDeleteAs you know images of the Green Man can be found in many of our medieval churches, but apparently images of him can even be found in both Celtic and Roman art. The Green Man image appears to have been an enduring one thousands of years.
DeleteWonderful, I find Amazing places like this still survive and we don't know of them. Till now I had never head of the castle and it is certainly one I would like to visit
ReplyDeleteIt would be well worth a visit for you Billy - we were very impressed.
DeleteHello Rosemary, Is the castle being preserved as a ruin, or is it continuing to crumble? It seems that there is some shoring up going on; without it it would seem dangerous to approach the structure. The castle is very impressive, and I am sorry that I was never able to visit such places on my trips to England.
ReplyDelete--Jim
Hello Jim - Goodrich Castle is in the care of English Heritage, and perfectly safe to visit. There were lots of children enjoying and exploring the castle. The ruins are extensive with plenty of steps, rooms, and passageways to explore including a chapel.
DeleteThis is a link to a virtual tour should you be interested.
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/goodrich-castle/history-and-stories/virtual-tour/
What a beauty it must have been in it's day. Love the arches and the view is just gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that many buildings built today will still be standing in 900 years time.
DeleteI am not sure whether you will catch this, Rosemary, but my earlier comment seems to have been sent to spam gaol! This seems to happen on your blog with alarming regularity. For what reason I have no idea.
ReplyDeleteBlogger and spam operate in unknown ways to me - this comment came straight here, but why your other didn't remains a mystery to me.
DeleteI always feel as though I have had a small (and tantalising) bit of your experiences with these posts, Rosemary. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThat is such a lovely thing to say - so pleased that you enjoyed it.
DeleteWhat magnificent ruins. The arches are lovely, as are the views. I sometimes wonder what we are building today that will stand for centuries. Very little, I fear.
ReplyDeleteWe thought that it was spectacular, and loved the way it sat so comfortably within the landscape.
DeleteTwo wonderful buildings. Thank you for your photos and descriptions.
ReplyDeleteWe thought so too Susan.
DeleteYou are tough enough to climbe hillside, Rosemary. Maybe it’s no wonder after having rested enough in such a nice inn? The castle ruins is marvelous. The English word “latrine” taught me that toilet had the different name in the past. In Japan, toilet was called “kawaya”. Since the ancient times people used the toilet by building a simple bridge over a small flowing stream (“kawa”) - sorry my comment seems to be off track. Thaks for the introduction of my favorite limestone structures, wonderful views, and the interesting stories.
ReplyDeleteYoko
Hello Yoko - they also had another name for the latrines too - garderobe - a French word - but that was the term usually reserved for a private latrine i.e Lords and Ladies, Kings & Queens etc.
DeleteI love visiting castles. I imagine the people living in them and the men who built them without the aid of technology or modern materials. It's amazing how long they have survived. Like your other commentors I too wonder how many of our present day buildings will fare as well, not many, if any.
ReplyDeleteWe have another castle on our agenda for this week which we are anticipating seeing.
DeleteA marvelous old castle.
ReplyDelete👍
DeleteOne of the joys of blogging is that through blogland friends we get to visit, see and learn about different places. I enjoyed your photographs and commentary ... thank you for a very interesting post.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Glad you enjoyed Jan and thank you.
DeleteLove those castles! A beautiful post again Rosemary :)
ReplyDeleteLove from Titti
💙
DeleteA very impressive castle you show us, dear Rosemary. And beautiful surroundings. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHere in Bavaria there are lots of "Burgen" (= castles), often ruins as the one on your blog. The Cadolzburg which is the nearest (and utterly complete), was built in 1157.
Hello Britta - I have just looked on Wiki and it appears that we have 465 castles in Britain some in ruins but many that are still lived it. I suspect that in Germany you too may have a similar number.
DeleteDear Rosemary, that is a very difficult question, because the terminology differs. We have Burgen (castles), palaces - which are called castle or Schloss, and so on. That might be the same in GB, I thinkhink.
DeleteHere they speak of 25.000 castles in Germany - https://www.dw.com/de/geschätzt-25000-burgen-in-deutschland/a-42214756 - I doubt that.
The Flying Dutchman said, looking at the beautiful Schloß Paretz: "We would never call that a schloss. It is in my eyes a manor."
Well, well, well - the owners (a King and Queen) didn't know - they built it for their summer vacations :-)
The terminology makes it difficult Britta - castle here tends to refer a defensive buildings. Then of course there are palaces, manor house, stately homes etc.
DeleteBut we are fortunate in Europe that we have so many wonderful historical buildings for us all to appreciate and enjoy and let's not forget all the great churches, cathedrals too etc.