CASTLE RISING

We took advantage of our recently joined membership of British Heritage to visit Castle Rising and later that day Castle Acrea. We were lucky in that when we went into the reception to get our tickets, the custodian became very intertested in the fact that we were from Ramsey. Turns out he is an Archaeologist and has an intense interest in St Felix who was an original Monk associated with Castle Rising back in the 7th Century - before the current stucture was built.
He regaled us for about an hour on the history of the area, and his work in tracing the activities of St Felix. In the nearby church is the original font that graced the original church on this site, and carvings on the front of the font illustrate three faces - each with cats ears! It was a joke by Felix the cat.He told us that Felix's bones were originally buried in Ramsay but later removed, and as we had never heard of St Felix in Ramsey he was intrigued and asked if we could make some enquiries for him.
The Castle was built around 1140 and although the roof has fallen in there are still some rooms in perfect condition.This together with the massive earthworks which are some 12o feet high in places makes the site of great national interest.The castle passed to the Howard family in 1544 and remains in their hands today, the current owner being a descendant of William D'Albini 11 who pioneered the building!! No relation of Johnnie I suspect!
We then drove some 20 miles to Castle Acres a magnificent village near a 13th century Abbey.The abbey is in ruins but incredibly major parts remain intact and there are still some rooms which are habitable.
The top picture left is the ramains of the original front of the abbey. The other three being Castle Rising.
Had a lovely lunch in a pub there (lambs fry and mash(!) a pint and a glass of excellent red and then home to Ramsey.
Spent Sunday on the web researching Cornish Cottages and have booked a five night stay in The Cobblers Cottage at Charlestown and 18th century fishiing harbour.
Two (!) photos of the cottage abov e!