Top five best castles of Yorkshire

by Sean McLachlan on


Yorkshire has always been a troubled region of England. It was on the front line of fighting between the English and the Scots and saw lots of action in the English Civil War, when the forces of Parliament under Oliver Cromwell fought the Royalists supporting King Charles I. Because of this, many castles dot the landscape, including some of the most magnificent the country has to offer. Here are five of the best.

York Castle
Dominating the skyline of the city of York is this unusual fortification, often referred to as Clifford’s Tower. The first fort here was built by the Normans in 1068 and was a motte-and-bailey castle. A wooden stockade and tower sat atop a large artificial mound. Around the base of the mound was another enclosure protected by a moat and wooden stockade. Motte-and-bailey castles were cheap and quick to build and provided sufficient protection against the rather basic siege techniques of the time. The Normans threw up hundreds of these in the years immediately following their conquest of England.

In 1190 the castle sheltered the city’s Jewish population during an antisemitic riot started by a man who owed money to a Jewish moneylender and didn’t feel like paying it back. The castle warden let the Jews hide there, but when he went out to talk to the mob the Jews wouldn’t let him back in, fearing the townsmen would swarm in with him. The warden lost patience and called out the militia, which besieged the castle. The tower caught fire and the Jews committed suicide rather than fall into the hands of the mob. About 500 people died.

Like many motte-and-bailey castles, the wooden tower was eventually replaced with stone, in this case an odd design of four semicircles. The rounded walls helped deflect shots from catapults and in 1644 proved useful against cannon too. Local Royalist forces held out against a Parliamentarian army for several weeks before finally surrendering when it became apparent that no help was coming.

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Raby Castle
Unlike most English castles, this one’s still lived in. It’s been the residence of the Lord Barnard since 1626 but actually was built by the Neville family in the 14th century. In 1569, seven hundred knights gathered in the great hall to plot the overthrow of Queen Elizabeth I and install a Catholic monarch. The Rising of the North, as it was called, was quickly crushed, and many of its leaders executed. The Neville family saw their castle and lands confiscated and the property was eventually transferred to the Barnard dynasty.

While this imposing castle and its beautiful grounds are private property, it is still possible to visit Raby Castle at certain times of the year. The rooms have decorations from various periods and include many fine works of art from famous artists such as Teniers the Younger and Van Dyck. Make sure to take a stroll in the 200 acre deer park, with its own herds of deer that have been grazing here since Norman times.

Raby Castle is actually in County Durham, but it’s a quick drive from York and too good to miss.

Bolton Castle
Less grandiose than Raby Castle, the castle at Bolton is more geared towards defense. Finished in 1399, it looks like a solid block of stone with four square towers. While the walls were good for keeping people out, they were also good for keeping people in. Elizabeth I kept her Catholic rival Mary Queen of Scots here as a prisoner.

During the English Civil War the owner of the castle supported the king. Most of Yorkshire was Royalist, like the city of York itself, so the region became a prime target for the armies of Parliament. A Parliamentary force besieged the castle but, despite having artillery, weren’t able to take it. The defenders held out for a year and only gave up in 1645 after running out of food. The scars from the cannonballs can still be seen.

Skipton Castle
Another strong fortress is Skipton Castle. Like York and Bolton castles, it also withstood a siege during the English Civil War, but this time for three years. Looking at it you can see why. It started out in 1090 as a motte-and-bailey, but soon developed into a massive stone stronghold. So massive, in fact, that nobody dared attack it until those pesky Parliamentarians decided to try their luck in 1643. Not even cannons could break the walls and three years later the Royalist garrison was still holding out. All other Royalist resistance in Yorkshire had crumbled and the defenders finally agreed to an honorable surrender.

Despite its ill treatment at the hands of Oliver Cromwell’s men, Skipton Castle remains one of the best preserved castles in England. The fabulous gatehouse, towers, and Tudor-era courtyard really give a feel for what it was like in the not-so-good old days. It’s all very impressive, but I wouldn’t want to be stuck there for three years!

Ripley Castle
Like Raby Castle, Ripley Castle is a private residence but open to the public. This stately home been in the Ingilby family since it was built in 1309. It’s amazing they managed to hold onto it considering they remained committed Catholics when England became Protestant. One Ingilby was executed in 1586 for inciting a Catholic rebellion. Other members of the family were important members in the courts of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, who persecuted Catholics. The family played a very dangerous political game but they were good at it. They even had a secret room for their priest to hide in so nobody knew they were still keeping the old faith. They also had a hand in the Gunpowder Plot to blow up James I and all of Parliament and make England Catholic again. Even after the plot failed and Guy Fawkes was executed they still managed to wriggle their way out of trouble and keep their castle.

Ripley Castle is famous for its beautiful gardens and deer park as well as its historic interior. You’ll see a room that used to be a British navy ship, a sumptuous dining room, and take in sweeping views of the countryside from the drawing room. The library is much as it was when Jane Ingilby held Oliver Cromwell at gunpoint and took him prisoner. Cromwell escaped, of course, yet despite him leading the Parliamentary forces to victory and taking power, the family still kept their castle!

Lonely Planet offers Halloween alternatives

by McLean Robbins on

Once you pass a certain age (read: enter middle school), the novelty of dressing up and going trick or treating grows old. That is, of course, excluding those who wait all year to dress up as a slutty nurse or Snooki from The Jersey Shore.

In fact, seasoned travelers know that the over-the-top portrayal of Halloween is rather limited to American culture, and that people from other countries often raise eyebrows when we describe our obsession with this admittedly pagan holiday.

So whether you’re traveling, looking for a reason to escape the costume circuit or simply seeking a reason to celebrate that doesn’t involve a skankalicious rendition of an otherwise admirable profession, we’ve found this great list from Lonely Planet of worthy Halloween alternatives.

From mid-October to early November, embrace the Dia de Muertos in Oaxcaca, Mexico, enjoy a classically English bonfire night in East Sussex, celebrate the Festival of the Horned One (sounds dangerous) in Italy, or practice your “talk like a pirate” skills at Pirates Week in the Grand Cayman.

And, of course, if you really want to dress up, Scott Carmichael has the season’s best travel-themed costume suggestions.

[Flickr via I am Rob]

Five conflicting British skin care tips for winter

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Okay, spend less time in the shower … but keep your skin moist. And, stay dry. It’s confusing stuff, right? Well, we’re all used to getting conflicting advice, from employers to religious authorities. So, how do you use it? The best way is to pick and choose what’s most convenient, I’ve found, and just accept the consequences when they (inevitably) come.

Well, winter is around the corner – you’ve probably noticed the air getting a little crisper. It’s always a good idea to think ahead, especially if you want to protect your skin from the cruel cold in the coming weeks and months. I stumbled across the following tips in The Sun, and if you can make sense of them, you’ll be all set when the cold wind starts to blow.

1. Manage your temperature: this shouldn’t be too hard, you know, in winter. Make the inside more like the outside by keeping the heat down. Apparently, this will keep your skin from drying out. If you start to shiver, put on a sweater (or sweatshirt … or smoking jacket).2. Stay stinky: if you smell, you’re doing well. Spend less time in the shower, and don’t allow yourself to enjoy the decadence of hot water. Of course, athletes and laborers can shower as much as they want, along with anyone else who sweats like a pig. The Sun suggests: “shower or bathe every other day and spot-wash trouble-spots such as armpits, hands, feet and face.”

3. But, make sure you stay wet: and this is where the fun begins. Keep the temperature down to stay moist (1), and avoid water by not showering (2). Now, The Sun says, “Keep skin moist.” Check this out:

Try Vaseline Intensive Care’s DermaCare lotion (£2.79 for 200ml). Boots’ skincare adviser Steve Barton says: “Slather it on after a bath or shower, preferably before your skin has dried out entirely, so it can trap moisture in.”

4. Wear protection: if you work with detergents a lot (e.g., dishwasher), you again want to avoid the stuff. Throw on some gloves.

5. Keep the water inside you … and stay dry on the outside: it’s important to stay hydrated. So, even though you want to be moist and dry at the same time, don’t forget to put some fluids inside you. On the outside, particularly your clothing, do your best to keep the water away.

[photo by joshjanssen via Flickr]

Bermuda’s Port Royal Golf Course hosts PGA

by Mike Barish on

While many people celebrate fall, there are people like me who still long for warm summer breezes. That’s why Bermuda is such a popular destination for people in the Northeast. It’s no surprise that the PGA Tour chose to have it’s Grand Slam of Golf at Bermuda’s Port Royal Golf Course. With temperatures still in the high 70s on the island and a course that rivals the best in the world, Bermuda in October is a great place to watch some of the best golfers on the tour battle it out. It doesn’t hurt that you can have a perfectly made Dark ‘n’ Stormy right at the club.

David LaHuta, an expat living in Bermuda, took a tour of Port Royal and made a pretty entertaining video of his experience. Check it out below and be sure to read his accompanying blog post. Sure beats throwing on another layer of clothes on this gray New York autumn day.

Photo courtesy of David LaHuta.

The Playboy Club returns to London in 2011

by McLean Robbins on


The Playboy Club plans a return to London in the first half of 2011 with an exclusive club set in the Mayfair area of London.
The new gaming and entertainment venue will feature a restaurant, lounge, members club, table games and high-limit salon prive gaming rooms.

The original Playboy Club London opened in 1966 at 45 Park Lane. At that time, the club attracted some of the most influential clientele in London including Sean Connery, Michael Caine, Joan Collins, George Best, Jack Nicholson, and Muhammad Ali.

“When we first opened the Playboy Club in London it was one of my favorite times for the brand,” said Hugh Hefner, Playboy Founder, Editor-in-Chief and Chief Creative Officer. “With Playboy now more popular than ever, I look forward to our return to London and again sharing the notions that are celebrated in the magazine, the concept of good food and drink, pretty girls, and exciting entertainment.”

Creatively designed to incorporate influences from the original Playboy Club London that opened in 1966, the new venue will integrate gaming with contemporary nightlife in a property that combines the sexy and sophisticated feel of Playboy with the international allure of London. The 17,000 square foot property spread over two floors is being designed by London-based architects Jestico + Whiles.

“When Hugh Hefner opened the original London Playboy Club it redefined class and luxury, setting a new nightlife standard around the world,” said Michael Silberling, Managing Director, London Clubs International. “LCI is honored to partner with Playboy to return the brand to London and create a club and casino experience for a new generation of Playboy Club members.”

There were more than 30 Playboy Clubs at the height of its success, and today Playboy London will join Playboy Club Las Vegas at the Palms Casino Resort, as well as future Playboy venues planned in Cancun, Macao and South Beach, Miami.

[Image via Playboy historical file]