| Warspite1 | 28 Jan 2022 3:50 p.m. PST |
For any of you not lucky enough to visit it, I give you Stokesay Castle in Shropshire, on the borders of England and Wales: link I was there is 2008 and found it a delight. A single tower (small keep) and a great hall with another tower at the other end. This second tower had a half-timbered upper-storey added later. The black and yellow gatehouse is pure 16th century; there would have been a simple gate tower and a drawbridge there before. The bailey wall was once higher but was reduced after a brief English Civil War siege. Modelling inspiration for the 13th to 17th centuries! See also: link Barry |
| Grelber | 28 Jan 2022 5:51 p.m. PST |
I like the great hall with the balcony and staircase. If there was a rope hanging nearby, you could swing down to attack the sheriff's men below (I've clearly seen too many versions of Robin Hood movies over the years). Grelber |
 20thmaine  | 28 Jan 2022 6:23 p.m. PST |
Good pick. I've visited a few times and each time I've thought "I have to model this". It's perfect – the mix of architecture and everything snugly fitting together on a relatively small plot of land. |
| AussieAndy | 28 Jan 2022 11:47 p.m. PST |
Loved our visit. While castles are great to visit, a fortified manor house is a lot more unusual and perhaps more interesting. Would love to see a model. |
| Huscarle | 29 Jan 2022 3:13 a.m. PST |
Tried to visit many years ago when we were walking Offa's Dyke, but it was unfortunately shut for the day. We didn't have a lot of luck with castles on that walking holiday as we also went over to Rhuddlan, and it was shut for renovation work. At least we got to get into Manorbier castle at the end of the holiday  |
| Warspite1 | 29 Jan 2022 5:43 a.m. PST |
@all:
I am glad you liked it. I originally posted those pictures in 2008 but, mysteriously, they had disappeared from Flickr. Still one of the 'dinkiest' little castles and a treat to behold in my book! Barry |
| Darrell B D Day | 29 Jan 2022 5:46 a.m. PST |
Used to pass by regularly when I lived in Herefordshire and it was always a treat to see. I remember trading at a show in Shrewsbury some time in the early noughties and someone had made a gorgeous model of it. I wonder what happened to that model. DBDD |
| SHaT1984 | 29 Jan 2022 9:00 a.m. PST |
Both amazing and bizarre~ never seen anything quite like this.
I only spent a month in UK way back when… so apaet from
'thr Tower' I saw verlittle outside the mainstream attractions. More on the other side of the channel where I spent the remaining 6 months of tour and research!
thanks for great pics! dave- |
| Midlander65 | 30 Jan 2022 10:00 a.m. PST |
Those are very good photos. I completely agree: it is lovely place to visit and ideal inspiration for modelling a fortified manor / small castle. |
| Warspite1 | 30 Jan 2022 2:46 p.m. PST |
@all:
Thank you.
It seems to be popular. B |
| OSCS74 | 30 Jan 2022 8:53 p.m. PST |
Thanks for posting your great pictures. |
| KeepYourPowderDry | 31 Jan 2022 9:47 a.m. PST |
Thanks for the pictures. On my list of places to visit (and has been for a long time) |
| Warspite1 | 01 Feb 2022 8:48 a.m. PST |
For those that did not spot it, this Stokesay picture may have a story to tell. link The arrow loop has clearly been rounded to make an embrasure for a handgun, heavy handgun (wall piece) or musket. This may have happened in the Medieval period but is more likely to have happened during the English Civil War. Barry |
| Stoppage | 06 Feb 2022 9:30 a.m. PST |
Aha! The last picture shows what the randomly placed pieces of stone projecting from the walls were for! |
looks at a multi-period building.
