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The ruins of Ruthven Barracks stand on a huge mound. They were built on the site of an earlier castle by George II’s government in the early 1700s, after the failed Jacobite uprising of 1715. The troops stationed there were to maintain law and order and enforce the Disarming Act of 1716. The barracks saw action twice. A 300-strong Jacobite attack failed to take the barracks in 1745, but a more heavily-armed attack the next year forced the barracks’ surrender. The Jacobites rallied here after their defeat at Culloden in 1746.
Saxonbury is a much eroded and worn univallate hillfort dating from the late Bronze/early Iron Age, with a curious 19th century folly in the centre. The hillfort is located in woodland in the Weald of East Sussex a short distance from the A267, where there is a convenient layby just north of Danegate. The earthworks are clearly visible and excavations in the last century suggested that iron might have been produced there. They also revealed evidence of an earlier prehistoric enclosure. The fort is on the Eridge Park Estate owned by the Nevill family since 1448 and the folly was built by Henry Nevill, 2nd Earl of Abergavenny in 1828. I think it looks like a rocket. A telecoms company currently uses it as a communications mast. It would be interesting to know the etymolgy of 'Saxonbury' - it suggests a defended place in later times?
Scotney Castle is a Victorian country house with wonderful wooded gardens and a romantic and historic ruined 14th century castle in the grounds. It has a fascinating history - and, of course, there's at least one ghost. Margaret Thatcher used to have a flat in the house.
Nr Tunbridge Wells
Originally a radar station, the site was converted to an underground Regional Government HQ (RGHQ) and war room during the Cold War, with capacity for 300 people, including the Secretary of State for Scotland, in the event of a nuclear attack. Now open to the public as a museum.
Troywood
Now a private members club, The Carnegie Club, the medieval Skibo Castle was a residence of the Bishops of Caithness. The current building is largely 19th/20th century, when it was home to wealthy industrialist Andrew Carnegie. More recently, it was purchased by businessman Peter de Savary. Various celebrities have been married at the castle.
Photo copyright Graeme Smith via geograph.co.uk
Southsea Castle was part of a series of fortifications built by Henry VIII to help defend England from invasion. Constructed in 1544, it guards the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour; Mary Rose sank right in front of the castle in 1545. The castle was captured just once in its history, by Parliamentary forces during the Civil War, its fortifications were strengthened in the 19th century and it continued in use up to the Second World War. Since then, it fell into disrepair but has been extensively refurbished. It's not huge, there is a small but interesting exhibition, defensive tunnels and great views over the Solent to the Isle of Wight from its battlements. At time of writing (2017), there is a cafe and a microbrewery in the courtyard and the castle is closed in winter months. Essential to check the website before visiting.
Southsea
Portsmouth
Southsea Rose Garden is a fragrant and colourful rose garden residing inside what was one "Lump's Fort", a fortification dating back to the 19th century, at least. Situated close to the Canoe Lake and esplanade in Portsmouth’s Victorian seaside suburb of Southsea, the Rose Garden is a walled oasis of tranquillity with formal paved walkways, pergolas offering shade round the edges and seating areas in old gun emplacements. As you would expect, it holds more rose bushes than you can shake a stick at, with in excess of 40 varieties. When in bloom, it is stunning.
In 1942, the 'boom patrol', aka 'the Cockleshell Heroes' trained here. There is a memorial plaque to them at the entrance to the garden.
The castle at St Andrews, now ruined, was once the bishop's fortress palace and was at the heart of the Scottish Reformation. Perched on a headland, there are fabulous views from its low towers and a good exhibition in the visitor centre. Features include a gruesome bottle dungeon and a probably unique example of medieval siege mining and counter-mining.
St Andrews
St Catherine’s Hill is a 220 foot (67m) high univallate Iron Age hillfort settled in c550-450BC, with defences constructed c250-200BC. It was abandoned c50BC, but there are traces of Roman use, and Norman /medieval chapel was constructed there and a 17thC mizmaze (turf maze cut into the chalk). These days, with stunning views over Winchester and the surrounding countryside, it is a 58 hectare flower-rich chalk grassland nature reserve, home to a variety of wild flowers and more than 25 species of butterfly, including the marbled white, chalkhill blue and brown argus.
St Catherine's Hill is managed by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.
Winchester
Stirling Castle is one of Scotland's premier fortresses and oozes history and legend. Built on an intrusive crag known as 'castle rock', it is in a strong defensive position and visible for miles. The castle changed hands several times during the medieval struggles between the Scots and the English and two major battles, Stirling Bridge (1297) and Bannockburn (1314) were fought nearby and won by the Scots. Stirling became a royal castle, a residence of the Stuart dynasty. The last siege was by Bonnie Prince Charlie in the 18th century and the present buildings are mainly 15th/16th century. Meticulous restoration work enables us to see parts of the Royal Palace, Great Hall and Chapel as they would have been - and there are fabulous views.
Stirling
If your favourite attraction is not listed yet, and you have a good quality digital photograph of it that you are able to freely send, please get in touch.