First one which was Arundel castle in Sussex I only got to drive past a couple of times and I didn't have time to stop. Seat of the Duke of Norfolk and very grand
Nice old defenses and castle mound still standing behind the mostly 18th 19th century main castle.
Second was Hevers castle in Kent, dates from 13th century but mostly Tudor inside.
Owned by the Boleyn family and visited by Henry VIII who used the above room.
Great if you are into all that Wolf hall period drama stuff I guess.
The castle was heavily ''restored'' in the last gasps of the arisocracy just before the first war to end all wars by the American Astor family.
The oak paneling and ceilings in most of the rooms is from the then contemporary arts and craft movement and some of the best artists of the time were involved.
Unfortunately this meant there was very little genuine Tudor left on show as it was behind the modern work.
There was one bedroom ceiling from about 1490 which was in oak and a 15th century plaster reproduction.
Over all I left feeling a little dissappointed but was cheered up when I found a small museum dedicated to the local Yeomanry Sharpshooters in the grounds on the way out. Loads of good WWI and WWII displays. The regiment had a busy WWII a they were part of the BEF, rescued from Dunkirk, fought in the Western dessert, took part in the invasion of Italy and still found time to land on the beaches in Normandy, be at Villiers Bocage, operation Goodwood and got all the way to the Elbe before they finished. Canadian 25 pounder outside complete with Mapel leaf mark on the barrel.
Half hour queue to get in the building, tourists who can't tell a York from a Lancaster getting in the way and far too little of the oldest parts of the building on show, no kitchens to visit and no armoury.
On the plus side it looks fantastic from the outside surrounded by it's moat but I could only walk half way around unless I was prepared to go full Anarchist and step over the braided rope barrier.
There was a lot of 14th -17th century furniture and art from around the world but no information about how long they had been in the castle.
Another bit of history packaged simply enough for the average tourist and a lot of history lost/hidden by an unsympathetic restoration.
Bloody Astors, I can see why Churchill didn't like them. I should have gone to Chartwell instead as they were almost neighbours.
