Twin Towers

Intimidating, imposing, powerful all words which sum up this Norman Medieval castle in Herefordshire. Rather majestic it commands a stunning view of the River Wye and Symonds Yat and on this very dull, grey, miserable and damp day it looked quite formidable.

However it wasn't going to get ME down as I'd escaped from household chores and hot-footed it here to get a blip. Can you hot foot it anywhere with cold toes? Not sure!

Good and solid, made of red sandstone it has the most complete set of medieval domestic buildings surviving in any English castle. It still has some fireplaces, a pantry, great hall and solarium (living quarters).

Fabulous defences too, having a 9m deep moat, drawbridge, arrow loops, portcullis, drawbridge, two curtain walls and numerous murder holds or machicolations through which they poured hot oil, tar, quicklime, rocks or hot sand and scalding water down the holes onto the enemy beneath the parapet.

Standing in the moat under a chestnut tree I could see directly in front the spur buttresses of the south and west towers - so they couldn't be undermined, and the grey sandstone keep in the middle.

This castle has been under siege in the Civil War and on 10 March 1646 it fell to the Parliamentarians who slighted it - that is destroyed it and so it fell into decay. Still worth a visit though!!

More Goodrich today.