Today’s Treasures
WHITTINGTON CASTLE – a relic of ancient battles
January is such a dismal month – although the days are getting longer it doesn’t feel like it and, after the expense and excitement of Christmas, with summer a distant memory, we need to cheer ourselves up, so it’s really important to focus on the good things in life and make the most of them. My mum was always one for counting her blessings and it certainly helps on dark January days to remember that the evenings are getting lighter and spring is just around the corner. There are some beautiful sunsets on dark winter days and when the sun does come out there’s some lovely places in Shropshire to go and feed the ducks.
Whittington Castle is just one of them. There is free public access to the castle all year round and the ducks always give you a warm welcome, especially if you have some bread or corn with you!
The Tea Room and the book shop are open November to February -Thursday to Sunday 10.00 am – 4.00 pm.
We spent a lovely time wandering around the castle and reading about its history. The site was chosen in the time of King Offa because of the protection provided by the treacherous marshlands surrounding Whittington. The original wooden castle was replaced by a Norman motte and bailey and the castle is steeped in folklore, inhabited by the ghostly spirits of ancient warriors and victims of treachery suffered within its walls.
The castle is now owned and run by the local community who organise many events during the year, the largest being a Medieval 3 day event on the May Bank Holiday weekend www.whittingtoncastle.co.uk
After exploring the castle and successfully avoiding being harassed by ghosts, we escaped to the bookshop and spent a very entertaining hour discovering several interesting fiction and non-fiction books which we perused in the tea shop over a very welcome cup of tea (and cakes!) A very pleasant afternoon out.
