This view of the historic stone castle keep and flower flowerbeds in the garden grounds was taken on a sunny afternoon with white clouds in a blue sky.
Long past has its stone defences heritage been needed for military use. It has been a County gaol (jail?) and started its life as a Norman Motte and Bailey castle built C1066. It has been the residence of Henry III, who died in in 1272, after making it the most luxurious royal apartments in the land. In 1611 Francis Carter, a local merchant, then bought it as a private residence.
It fell into ruin and then was bought by Guildford Council in 1885 and is now open to the public for tourists, tourism, and travelling holidaymakers! How many houses built today will last that long?
Date: 21/08/2005
Location: Guildford, Surrey England UK