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The Little Lilypad is a lifestyle blog mostly written by a mum to two beautiful, cheeky and entertaining daughters. It is sometimes written by the Man on the Pad or by one of our baby bloggers. Occasionally we accept guest posts too. There is frequently talk of sustainable living, saving money, lifestyle and travel. It is hopefully helpful, sometimes funny and always honest.
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I want to live in a Castle

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Most little girls always want to be a princess but as you grow up you realise that it is highly unlikely that you are going to get swept off your feet by a real life heir to the throne (unless of course you are Kate Middleton). However, somewhere deep rooted inside me I have always loved castles. There is something amazing about the history and architecture that I can't imagine happening with the modern construction of today.

Dunster Castle

So on our recent holiday to Somerset, we visited Dunster Castle. It amazes me that the castle has stood for over 1000 years, in a time before we had JCB's to lift and computers to design, the castle was developed and built over hundreds of years. William de Mohun was granted the lands at Dunster for his service to William the Conqueror at this battle but his family had to sell the castle to the Luttrell family in 1376 due to their mounting debts. The castle sold for 5000 marks, which equates to about £3333 in modern day money. I can't imagine that there was the legal paperwork done as there would be now, especially if there was found to be surveyors negligence, they may have faced an untimely demise in those days!

The castle has since been passed down through the Luttrell family but when Alexander Luttrell died in 1944 he left the estate in debt which means that Geoffry, Alexander's son, had to sell the castle in 1949 but managed to reacquire it in 1954. Finally Walter, Geoffry's son, gave the castle and many of its contents to the National Trust in 1976.

Dunster Castle Fireplace

The day we visited Dunster Castle was gloriously sunny and we could walk through the grounds and down into the historic town. The main house is amazing but it is always a little disappointing to have areas sectioned off as not suitable for the public. Sometimes you don't always want to see the polished floors, amazing fireplaces and old paintings, you want to be able to go down the stone staircases and see the darker side of castle life.

Dunster Castle was a great day out for us as a family but I think the children enjoyed the amazing grounds more than the house as it is quite restrictive within the castle of what they can and can't do. Our day out renewed my love for the architecture, design and sheer determination it must have taken to build something like this.

Dunster Castle Bridge

Would I recommend Dunster Castle as a family day out? Yes but probably better when the sun is shining.

Do I still want to live in a Castle? I am still a girl at heart and doesn't every little girl want to be a princess in a castle?

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Comments

  1. I know what you mean. I loved wandering round the castle, and given it has been lived in quite recently (in the scheme of things) I really could see myself living there. I think I might have liked being a bit Downton!

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  2. It sounds great, Z is desperate to visit a castle. xx

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  3. There's something hugely romantic about castles isn't there? Love that picture of the bridge, it looks fairy tale like.

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  4. We never ever go in the inside of these places, we always stay outside because we're so frightened the kids will break something or be too noisy! soon enough I will get inside though and it will be great. For the moment we happily look at the outside and wander the gorgeous grounds! :) ps, castles can be a bit draughty :)

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