Framlingham Castle 11 May 2015

Last Monday my client went off for a treatment to Ipswich for the day and I had a few hours free to explore the castle. I'd walked around the outside and viewed it from a distance but it was really exciting to go inside.

The site was first developed in 1148 and used in various guises ever since.  Mary Tudor even had a look in - when she seized power and was proclaimed queen in 1553 she gathered her forces here before successfully marching on London.

The outside walls with their 13 square mural towers are the oldest and really, the most impressive parts of the castle. There is such a sense of age and strength. Even though there were 2 busloads of schoolkids having an outing, it was lovely and peaceful to wander around and check out the surrounding countryside from up top.

The original buildings in the middle of the castle were demolished and a poorhouse built in 1636, in quite a different style.

The chimneys - 13 in total, but ten purely decorative, were added in the Tudor era.

Getting down these spiral stairs was quite vertigo inducing!

I love the exploring and there is so much to see. I'm looking forward to many more spectacular spots. Stay with me!