Sunday….So Its Off to Church

Safe…Behind the Castle Walls

 

Saint Nicholas Chapel, Carisbrooke Castle, Isle of Wight

There has been a Chapel dedicated to Saint Nicholas on this spot since at  1086 when it was recorded in the Domesday Book, so no doubt it is considerably older than that. It has been reincarnated over the years numerous times but substantially within the same footprint of the original walls.

Dwarfed by its location safely behind Carisbrooke Castle Walls it has seen Kings, Queens, Prince and Princesses plus a great many Noblemen of the Realm.  Despite its location within Carisbrooke it has for most of its religious life been the independent local Parish Church.

The Chapel you see today is the result of the ‘latest’ rebuilding  and restoration in 1904.

Whilst the exterior is rather plain the interior is much more ornate. It has also been adopted by the Island as its War Memorial to commemorate over 2000 island men killed on the two World Wars.  Their names are engraved on the walls.

The wood was specially selected….it is from HMS Nettle one of the very last wooden warships in the Royal Naval Fleet. But it is the ceiling that immediately grabs your attention…thoughtfully a mirror has been set into the floor to help visitors view the intricate designs

The Privy Garden, Saint Nicholas Chapel.

Also now known as The Princess Beatrice Garden and is a 2009 redesign based upon the original layout.

Chapel, Gardens and Castle all worth a visit….but give yourselves plenty of time as there is so much to explore

12th June

(C) David Oakes 2016

DP Weekly Photo Challenge – Pure

No Air Pollution Here

The Midnight Sun goes down over the Arctic Circle.

Pure air, sea and beauty….just a suggestion for DP Weekly Photo Challenge

See what other Pure thoughts others have submitted on :- https://dailypost.wordpress.com/photo-challenges/pure/

11th June

(C) David Oakes 2016

Cee’s Weekly Black and White Photo Challenge – Stairs/Steps

A Grand Entrance

Stairs and or Steps, which ever…that is this weeks B&W Photo Challenge.  So I hope that this submission fits the brief/

You can see what others have submitted on :- https://ceenphotography.com/2016/06/09/cees-black-white-photo-challenge-steps-indoors-or-outdoors/

10th June

(C) David Oakes 2016

Want a Castle…we have one to spare!

Bolsover Castle, Derbyshire

Well we don’t really have one to spare but here at Bolsover Castle we have two Castles within the same Castle walls.

There was a medieval castle on this site in the 12 century but the one (sorry two) you see today are the result of the vision of the Cavendish family in the early 1600’s.  Charles Cavendish (son of Bess of Hardwick) commenced the building project but it was substantially completed by his son William Cavendish.

Bolsover Castle was never intended as a fortress but more a large statement of power and wealth, its elevated position commanding grand panoramas over the surrounds. Under the influence of William it also became a pleasure and leisure palace incorporating much that he was interested in.

The main Terrace Range, now a shell, contained the Long Gallery, Grand Hall and State Rooms plus of course all the usual support services to maintain such a large castle…and most importantly for William it includes in the south wing an Indoor Riding School to support his passion for horsemanship and husbandry.  Even these empty shells of rooms convey a powerful impression of the main Castles size and grandeur…

But that is not all as we also have the “Little Castle” to view..

Surrounded by its own wall and garden the Little Castle would be impressive enough, however it was built very much as the opulent pleasure house for William…a bit like a summer house in the garden, only much bigger than the usual.

Grand as the exterior of old buildings and castles may be, we tend to expect the interiors to be rather plain, solid stone walls with the main rooms draped in tapestries if the occupants were wealthy and lucky enough.  Inside Little Castle we get a glimpse of what could be achieved…..ornate wood panels,  painted ceilings, colourful drapes and lots of fireplaces to keep the Derbyshire winters at bay.

The most appealing of the rooms is the Star Chamber, one look at the plaster ceiling and you instantly know why it is so named…

So let me take you on a tour of Little Castle and its garden…

I do hope you have enjoyed another day out in Derbyshire. Grand surroundings for  Grand Castle  (or two!)

                                                        

9th June

(C) David Oakes 2016

Little Castle, Bolsover, Derbyshire