Other than the castle, the village itself has a very inviting feel about it. You enter the castle…read morefrom the little square where there are a few shops and a monument in the middle. The square is very small! I don't know; I just found the place really calm and peaceful - most likely not this way during the tourist season but on a cold wet November late afternoon the atmosphere was at its best. The village isn't very big, so worth a little wander around and perhaps a stop in a pub and some of the shops.

Such a beautiful village - it hasn't changed much since I used to visit it over 40 years ago. The…read moreCastle is always worth a visit - you get in free if you're a National Trust member, and the parking at the visitor centre at the entrance to the village is also free to members. Try getting there early-morning before the crowds. Interesting little shops and the National Trust Tea Rooms does the best cream tea ever - sit in their garden overlooking the Castle. There's also a model village. The steam train runs from the Park & Ride at Norden (just before Corfe Castle village), stops at the village before chugging through the Purbecks onto Swanage. A good day's fun!

Grade II listed block of 164 flats designed by American architect Hector O'Hamilton, in Los Angeles…read moreSpanish style. It is a marvellous confection, with lovely tiled detailing. Built in 1935-38, it has worn remarkably well, and still looks 'fabulous, darling' today.

The freehold of San Remo Towers was sold for the first time whilst it remained as a 100% rental…read moreblock in 1992 to Roger Byron-Collins' company Welbeck Estate Group and the Hodge Group. It underwent a major upgrading programme. After several years of overall enhancement the freehold was sold whilst it was still a rental building. In 2000 it's freehold was sold whilst still a rental block by Welbeck and Hodge., The new owners then embarked on a programme of selling off the individual apartments.

On our Road Trip through England, Wales and Scotland we focused on Castles, Abbeys and walks…read more The Titchfield Abbey we've visited on our first full day here in England. It was a hot summer day. A monday. And only really a handful people on site. Which is surprising, because these are beautiful remains of a former abbey and mansion. It's almost still fully complete even. There's no entrance fee. And even parking is free if you're a member of the EH. If not it's 2£ only. The building is very impressive. Built in the 13th Century it was first in the hand of monks. Then it changed hands under Henry VIII. And was turned into a Tudor mansion. It's quite a sight to behold. And you can walk around the whole site. But as usual: Be respectful, don't climb around and pick up your litter and after your dog (which are allowed here on the site). A very good start for this year's Road Trip. A great place to visit. And there are even one or two lunch options around, if you feel hungry after your visit.

Titchfield Abbey is a ruined former country home, which was itself adapted from an Abbey during the…read moreDissolution. The Abbey was founded in 1222 by the Premonstratensian Order of canons. It was founded as a daughter house of Halesowen Abbey, and endowed both by its founder Bishop Peter of Winchester and Henry III. Never especially wealthy, the Abbey was nevertheless noted for its scholarship and held a substantial library. The Abbey buildings followed a standard plan, albeit on a relatively modest scale. The Abbey seems to have had a quiet and ordered existence, although it's location near the south coast on one of the main routes to France meant it hosted both Richard II and Henry V, and was the location of Henry VI to Margaret of Anjou in 1445. The Abbey was dissolved in 1537, at the behest of Thomas Wriothesely, Chancellor to Henry VIII. Unlike many dissolutions, the Abbott John Salisbury secured a peaceful handover, with pensions provided for the canons and the position of Dean of Norwich for himself in 1539. Wriothesely adapted the buildings to form a n impressive country home for himself, called Place House. The Abbey church itself was converted to a grand gatehouse and accommodation wing, with a long gallery and hall formed around the former cloister. This involved taking down the church tower and chancel. The house hosted Elizabeth I, Edward VI, Charles I and Charles II. It continued in use as a home until the 1780s, when the decision was taken to abandon and deliberately demolish much of the complex to form a romantic ruin. Today it is in the care of English Heritage. The impressive turreted gatehouse forms the larger part of what is visible today, the bare structure enabling much of the former church to be traced. There are also remains of the cloister walls, with the foundations of the demolished buildings traced out on the ground. The site is also known for its collection of decorative mediaeval floor tiles. The adjacent fish ponds have survived but are no longer part of the site. Practicalities: the gravel drive is quite narrow and leads to a gravel car park. Although there is level access the rough surfaces make for challenging wheelchair access. There are no toilets on site.

Now in the care of English Heritage, Netley is the most complete surviving Cistercian abbey in…read moresouthern England. Founded in 1238 by Peter de Roches, Bishop of Winchester, it was colonised by monks from nearby Beaulieu Abbey. Almost all the walls of its 13th century church still stand, together with many monastic buildings. The buildings were converted into an impressive country residence by Sir William Paulet, First Marquess of Winchester, who acquired the abbey in 1536 after the Dissolution. Abandoned as a house in the 18th Century, most traces of Paulet's alterations were removed in the 19th century, when Netley's ivy-clad ruins became a favourite of the Romantic movement. Netley was visited by John Constable, who came to paint here, and also by Jane Austen, who may have found inspiration for her novel Northanger Abbey. Access is free although opening times are restricted, especially in winter months. It's a lovely spot for a picnic and feels a long way from the surrounding urban area. There's a small car park - more parking and toilets are available over the road in the Abbey Hall Recreation Ground.

The donkeys were lovely and the museum had seating for when you get tired which was very helpful.read more

Even though my Aunt and I came here during the height of half-term, we were pleasantly surprised…read morethat we were able to have the run of Carisbrooke Castle (including the gardens and donkey wheel) without being impeded by crowds of kids run amok. It was easy to purchase tickets, although the guide at the front door was a bit overeager when it came to trying to sell us on the all-access pass to various English sites. Perhaps I had tourist stamped across my forehead, but more than likely he runs through the same spiel with everyone. The views of the surrounding countryside are excellent and it is hard to believe, until one actually sees it, how elevated one is until one is looking down. It never ceases to amaze me how much the English know about their own history and how lacking (for the most part, it is always dangerous to generalize) we Americans are about our own history, much less that of other countries. With that being said, the guides and instructional materials were excellent in providing an overview that anyone could appreciate, regardless of how much one knew going in about the time period in question. I even ended up picking up a souvenir guidebook to further my education.

This castle certainly has the 'wow' factor. A popular choice for weddings and receptions. They…read moreoften hold interesting exhibitions and the history of the place is fasinating. There is a lovely cafe that has been fairly recently renovated. There is a nice variety of lunches and afternoon teas to make your visit even enjoyable. The castle has been restored after some serious damage and looks simply stunning. As well as the castle and tearooms there are also some lovely walks and views across the coast. There is parking on site and some disabled parking spaces.

What a magnificent castle. Damaged by fire a few years ago it has pretty much been restored to its…read moreformer glory. Hosting weddings etc all year round it is well worth a visit.

Food was very rocky…read more My teeth hurt. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhghhhhgghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhsnsndbrbeisks d d end

Old Harry is a group of stacks just off the point of Studland Bay. Which is some miles from…read moreSwanage. You can have a walk across a large meadow to see these, and the view from the cliff is very good. (Don't lean over too far - or you'll take up diving really quickly.) The walk can be muddy so go when it's been dry for a few days. You can also sail out to see them, and that's how I achieved this photo. or you can use a kayake. A canoe is not recommended, as there will not be enough weight and strength to counter the tide and waves, and you don't want a good canoe to become match sticks now do you? The whole of the south coast is chalk, so erosion takes place quite dramatically over time. Old Harry (named after a pirate, who, incidentally, raided the Spanish Armada) has been carved away from the cliff face. Old Harry's Wife fell into the sea completely around one hundred and fifty years ago. At the bottom of the rocks, 'doors' are being carved out by the sea. This always looks dramatic as the rock is so white.

The Athelhampton House is a must see if you are traveling this side of town. I came with a tour…read moregroup which included ride and tickets. The house and gardens are beautiful. I intentionally didn't post any pictures of inside the house as you really don't want any spoilers. I also limited my garden photos to just a few so you can get the idea but really you must go. Lucked out coming early August as the weather was beautiful. It definitely wouldn't have been the same experience if it was raining. Due to the sunshine and perfect weather strolling the gardens was wonderful. Also since the weather was good it allowed not everyone to feel stuck inside the house. I liked that there was a good flow to the house without it being too crowded. The house is as large as it looks from the outside. So much to see and very informative. Two floors with stairs. The rooms were immaculately clean and they did have a few staff inside answering questions. The gardens and greenhouse were my favorite. So much to see and again, with sunny weather I truly could have spent hours outside walking the grounds. Summer is definitely the time to come. One of our guides noted when she comes in the fall and winter months the gardens are naturally kind of barren with less flowers and such. Flowers were in full bloom and the fresh air was amazing. Near the greenhouse we saw tomatoes, grapes, figs, and varieties of apples. Truly a lovely place and experience.

Worth Matravers is a cute village in the Purbecks. When you visit it's like stepping back in time…read more With stone cottages everywhere and wonderful scenic walks nearby you feel at one with nature. The local shop and tea room is warm and inviting and the central pond a super place to relax and commune with the ducks! Great for a day out.