So Mia comes over from Taiwan to do a masters at Surrey University. She wants me to come over and support her during her stay which I duly do. I wasn't very happy about spending so long in the UK but got myself onto a film course and it all seemed sorted....But then the cold weather started to kick in and I started wondering what the hell I was doing here!
Well, a reminder of sunnier times back in scorching September when we went on a visit to Guildford castle.

Not much left but some walls and the keep, but nice setting on a hill with lovely, lovely flowers everywhere!

On entering the premises, we found that all the interesting places were fenced off

Some old graffitti scratched into the wall and,er, a wardrobe?

The Cathedral and University of Surrey in the distance

Me, caged in again!

stopped for some grub and a pint in "the Tudor Rose"

THE HISTORY

Guildford Castle started out as a Norman motte and bailey castle, built soon after 1066. The wooden defences were replaced by stone ones during the 12th century, and the motte acquired first a shell keep and then the strong but not very large tower keep that survives today. As the only royal castle in Surrey it became the centre for administration and justice, with the keep converted to use as the county gaol. The royal apartments were moved to a palace in the bailey below, which under Henry III became one of the most luxurious royal residences in England.
After Henry III's death in 1272 the castle fell into decline, and the palace buildings were allowed to fall into ruin. In 1611 the castle was bought by a Guildford merchant, Francis Carter, who attempted to convert the keep into a private residence. This proved unsuccessful, and in 1630 the roof and floors were removed. In 1885 the ruins were bought by Guildford Borough Council who turned the castle into a park.

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