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English Heritage property just north of Alresford, Hampshire.
The Grange is a 19th-century country house-mansion and English landscape park near Northington in Hampshire, England. It is currently owned by the Ashburton family. English Heritage have a guardianship deed on the Grade I listed building, with the gardens and monument's exterior open to the public. The Grange Park Opera company has staged opera at The Grange every Summer from 1998- to 2016. From June 2017 The Grange Festival becomes the new resident opera company.
In 1804, Henry Drummond commissioned his friend the architect William Wilkins to transform his brick house into a neoclassical Ancient Greek temple. Wilkins, a promising young architect and antiquary, had been much influenced by his recent travels to Greece and Asia Minor. The massive Doric portico is a copy of the Theseion in Athens and the side elevations imitate the Choragic Monument of Thrasyllus. Whilst commonly claimed to be the earliest Greek Revival style house in Europe, Benjamin Henry Latrobe, for instance, was using the primitive Greek Doric at Hammerwood Park in 1792. The transformation was largely external - the old house was literally wrapped in Roman cement, a very hard render made from ground flint. This is when the podium visible today was built. What had been ground floor rooms became basement rooms and the main reception rooms which had been on the piano nobile were now at the same level as the podium. The windows of servants’ rooms on the uppermost storey were covered by the entablature of the temple facade, and is partly why it was necessary to extend the house. As at Hammerwood, the giant Doric portico is echoed by a single storey portico behind so as to provide an enhanced perspective when viewed from the hill opposite beyond the lake in the style of the Picturesque.
In 1817, before the works were finished, Drummond sold the house to Alexander Baring, second son of Sir Francis Baring who owned Stratton Park, five miles north of The Grange.
The Grange is a 19th-century country house-mansion and English landscape park near Northington in Hampshire, England. It is currently owned by the Ashburton family. English Heritage have a guardianship deed on the scheduled monument and Grade I listed building, with the Grade II* listed gardens and monument's exterior open to the public. The house and gardens are also available to rent for parties and weddings. Grange Park Opera staged opera at The Grange every Summer from 1998 to 2016. From June 2017 The Grange Festival became the new resident opera company.
Located in Somerset, Nunney Castle was built by a knight called John de la Mare under a royal licence issued in 1373. It was extensively modernised in the late 16th century, some say by Richard Prater, a rich Londoner who bought the castle circa 1560.
The castle remained in the possession of the Prater family until the English Civil War, when it was besieged and ruined by order of Parliament.
The shell of the tower was taken into state guardianship in 1926 and cleared of plants and rubble and is now owned by English Heritage.
Llantrisant, South Wales
A 13th century castle built by Richard de Clare, Earl of Gloucester, on the site of an earlier motte and timber fortification.
In 1326 the unfortunate Edward II was imprisoned here briefly under the guardianship of Constable Robert de Aston, before being moved to Berkeley Castle, where he was killed.
Goats have been used to clear vegetation in the enclosed area around the castle their shelter can be seen in the background
This colorful parrot was just one of the birds I had the pleasure of meeting during a stay on the big island of Hawaii. A parrot sanctuary called Parrots In Paradise provides a safe haven and rescue for unwanted parrots and promote responsible parrot guardianship for all captive birds. As a rescue, they strive to rehabilitate needy birds and rehome those friendly, tame or adoptable birds. I shared my photographs with the owners of the establishment...and some of those images are part of their website. What a memorable event! Here is a link: parrotsinparadise.org/about-the-hawaii-parrot-sanctuary-p...
It was a memorable day when I walked inside the cages of the Parrots In Paradise Exotic Bird Sanctuary on the Big Island of Hawaii. The owner's mission is to provide a safe haven and rescue for unwanted parrots and promote responsible parrot guardianship for all captive birds. As a rescue, they strive to rehabilitate needy birds and rehome those friendly, tame or adoptable birds.
Hawks
Guardianship, frealess, protection memory
Warns against evil people or situations.
The truth will out
may the hawks take the spirits of those abandoned in unmarked graves be taken hight from the evil of war and may their souls dream well.
Quote
My eyes opened to a cast of hawks gripping me in their talons. They supported my weight, hauling me high above the clouds through a blue expanse of heaven. And though they struggled—squawking and flapping wearily—never once did a single bird release its hold.”
Richelle E. Goodrich, Making Wishes: Quotes, Thoughts, & a Little Poetry for Every Day of the Year
STOP PUTINS marauder's and murderers dressed in uniform.
Peace in the UKRAINE
For the latest souls found in Ukraine in mass graves.
A photo of a sleeping Thyreus (Thyreus nitidulus) bee or commonly known as a "neon cuckoo bee" because of its blue colour. The females are kleptoparasitic, which means that they take food from other bees and let bees from other beehive take guardianship of their offsprings.
Once upon a time, in a kingdom far away, there was a princess named Celeste. She was kind and beautiful, and loved by all who knew her. But being a princess was not easy, as there were many responsibilities that came with the title. Celeste longed for a place where she could relax and be herself.
One day, while exploring the kingdom, Celeste came upon a hidden water temple in the middle of a vast lake. The temple was surrounded by crystal-clear waters, and in the center was a pavilion. It was a tranquil place, and Celeste felt a sense of peace wash over her as she stepped inside.
As she was relaxing, she noticed that there were seven statues guarding the temple. They were the most impressive sculptures she had ever seen, and she admired their attention to detail.
From that day on, Celeste visited the water temple often, and she always made time to sit in the pavilion and reflect on the beauty of the world around her. She felt a deep sense of gratitude for the statues and their steadfast guardianship of the temple. Even though they were only made of stone, she knew that they would always be her most trusted companions in this magical place.
Lanercost Priory was founded by Robert de Vaux between 1165 and 1174, the most likely date being 1169,[1] to house Augustinian Canons. It is situated at the village of Lanercost, Cumbria, England, within sight of Naworth Castle, with which it long had close connections.
It is now open to the public and in the guardianship of English Heritage. Wikipedia
The Parrots in Paradise bird sanctuary is a marvelous place. Their mission is to provide a safe haven and rescue for unwanted parrots and promote responsible parrot guardianship for all captive birds. As a rescue, they strive to rehabilitate needy birds and rehome those friendly, tame or adoptable birds. When we visited during a trip to the Big Island of Hawaii, we were able to go inside the cages and observe one of the owners feeding macadamia nuts to these large parrots. What a memorable experience.
The Parrots in Paradise bird sanctuary (in Hawaii) provides a safe haven and rescue for unwanted parrots and promote responsible parrot guardianship for all captive birds. As a rescue, they strive to rehabilitate needy birds and rehome those friendly, tame or adoptable birds.
I was able to take numerous photographs of these beautiful birds when visiting...and after sharing the images with the owners of the establishment, they ended up using several of those pix on their website. Here is a link to a video sharing this special place. www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGL9-9wdBFE
Sponsors: Bespoke.
Full credits after story
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Vaelora, is a planet located in a distant Galaxy in the Universe, billions of light-years from Earth.
It is known as the "Emerald planet", due to its endless twilight, enveloped by an emerald mist.
It's skies shimmer with hues of indigo and violet. Great crystaline forest stretch high, sometimes even touching the atmosphere.
Vaelora is not ruled by kings nor governed by armies. Instead, it thrives under the guardianship of an ancient race known as the Nyvani.
This particular alien-alike race beholds a fluid grace, and their forms are shaped slender and elegant.
Each Nyvani bears a natural crown, which tells a story of their lineage and connection to Vaelora's spirit.
They are not known for their strength or abilities in combat. On the other hand, their extremely high intellect makes them an advanced Civilization. This gives them an Edge when fighting any threat they could face from other planets.
At the heart of the planet lies the Wispering Glade, a sacred lake said to have been formed from the tears of the planet itself.
The lake is not considered sacred without reason. It's water have healing properties powerful enough to cure any wound or disease.
Among the Nyvani, love is conceived as the strongest and most sacred of emotions.
So profound is their devotion that, should one perish by chance or fate, the other will follow willingly into death,
for they would rather die than endure a life without their beloved.
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Looking towards the The Grade I Listed Gate House of Stokesay Castle a fortified manor house in Stokesay, near Craven Arms in Shropshire, which is managed by English Heritage.
It was built in the late 13th century by Laurence of Ludlow, then the leading wool merchant in England, who intended it to form a secure private house and generate income as a commercial estate. Laurence's descendants continued to own the castle until the 16th century, when it passed through various private owners. By the time of the outbreak of the English Civil War in 1641, Stokesay was owned by William Craven, the first Earl of Craven and a supporter of King Charles I. After the Royalist war effort collapsed in 1645, Parliamentary forces besieged the castle in June and quickly forced its garrison to surrender. Parliament ordered the property to be slighted, but only minor damage was done to the walls, allowing Stokesay to continue to be used as a house by the Baldwyn family until the end of the 17th century.
In the 18th century the Baldwyns rented the castle out for a range of agricultural and manufacturing purposes. It fell into disrepair, and the antiquarian John Britton noted during his visit in 1813 that it had been "abandoned to neglect, and rapidly advancing to ruin". Restoration work was carried out in the 1830s and 1850s by William Craven, the second Earl of Craven. In 1869 the Craven estate, now heavily in debt, was sold to the wealthy industrialist John Derby Allcroft who paid for another round of extensive restoration during the 1870s. Both of these owners attempted to limit any alterations to the existing buildings during their conservation work, which was unusual for this period. The castle became a popular location for tourists and artists, and was formally opened to paying visitors in 1908.
Allcroft's descendants fell into financial difficulties during the early 20th century, however, and it became increasingly difficult for them to cover the costs of maintaining Stokesay. In 1986 Jewell Magnus-Allcroft finally agreed to place Stokesay Castle into the guardianship of English Heritage, and the castle was left to the organisation on her death in 1992. English Heritage carried out extensive restoration of the castle in the late 1980s. In the 21st century, Stokesay Castle continues to be operated as a tourist attraction, receiving 39,218 visitors in 2010.
Architecturally, Stokesay Castle is "one of the best-preserved medieval fortified manor houses in England", according to historian Henry Summerson. The castle comprises a walled, moated enclosure, with an entrance way through a 17th-century timber and plaster gatehouse. Inside, the courtyard faces a stone hall and solar block, protected by two stone towers. The hall features a 13th-century wooden-beamed ceiling, and 17th-century carved figures ornament the gatehouse and the solar. The castle was never intended to be a serious military fortification, but its style was intended to echo the much larger castles being built by Edward I in North Wales. Originally designed as a prestigious, secure, comfortable home, the castle has changed very little since the 13th century, and is a rare, surviving example of a near complete set of medieval buildings. English Heritage has minimised the amount of interpretative material displayed at the property and kept the castle largely unfurnished.
The International Court of Justice has a twofold role.
First, it settles, in accordance with international law, legal disputes submitted to it by States. Such disputes may concern, in particular, land frontiers, maritime boundaries, territorial sovereignty, the non use of force, violation of international humanitarian law, non interference in the internal affairs of States, diplomatic relations, hostage taking, the right of asylum, nationality, guardianship, rights of passage and economic rights.
Second, the ICJ gives advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by duly authorized United Nations organs and agencies. These opinions can clarify the ways in which such organizations may lawfully function, or strengthen their authority in relation to their member States.
The ICJ consists of 15 judges, all from different countries, who are elected for a period of nine years and can be re-elected. One third of the composition of the Court is renewed every three years. The President of the Court is elected by his peers every three years; the current President is Judge Ronny Abraham from France. The hearings of the ICJ are always public. French and English are the official languages of the Court
St Catherine's Chapel is a small chapel situated on a hill above the village of Abbotsbury in Dorset, England. It is dedicated to Saint Catherine. It is now in the guardianship of English Heritage, and has been Grade I Listed since January 1956.
The chapel is best seen from the viewpoint on the B3157 Abbotsbury to Bridport road, with Chesil Beach in the background.
St Mary's Church at Edvin Loach, Herefordshire, was designed by Victorian architect Sir George Gilbert Scott in 1860, and stands next to the ruins of an older church. It is an example of 19th-century church architecture designed in Early English style.
The old church at Edvin Loach was built in the mid-11th century or later and was dedicated to St Giles. It is built within the earthworks of a Norman motte-and-bailey castle. Later it was re-dedicated to St Mary. The old church gradually became dilapidated, though its roof was still intact as late as the 1890s. It is in the guardianship of English Heritage.
Edlingham Castle dates mainly from the 14th century, although a manor house of the 13th century is probably concealed beneath the later building. The earliest standing remains are those of the hall house, built about in 1300 by Sir William Felton at a time when Northumberland was relatively peaceful.
Felton was a member of an important family with estates in Norfolk and Shropshire but he had made his fortune independently through military service, royal favour and marriage to a Northumberland heiress, Constance de Pontrop.
His successors made extensive improvements to the manor house. In about 1340–50 his son, also named William, improved domestic comfort by building a magnificent solar tower, the best preserved part of the castle. As the Anglo-Scottish wars continued, he also strengthened the defences with a gate tower and stone curtain wall. Towards the end of the 14th century William’s grandson, John, completed the enclosure walls and enlarged the gatehouse.
Later owners of the estate included the Hastings and Swinburne families. The Feltons had traditionally been royal officials and soldiers but their successors were primarily local gentry, with less need for military display or effective defence.
The castle was abandoned as a dwelling in the mid-17th century and by the 1660s was being quarried for building stone. At the end of the 19th century only the tower was still visible amid grassy mounds. Since 1975 the remains have been in the guardianship and ownership of the state. They were excavated between 1978 and 1982.
The monastery Studenica, dedicated to the Presentation of the Holy Virgin, is the mother-church of all Serbian temples. It was constructed over a quite long period of time. The first stage of works were completed by the spring of 1196, when Stefan Nemanja abdicated and took monastic vows at the monastery. When he later left for Hilandar, his son and successor Stefan took over the care of Studenica. Nemanja died in Hilandar in 1199. Nemanja's third son Rastko (Saint Sava), after reconciling with his brothers Stefan and Vukan, moved Nemanja's relics to Studenica. Under guardianship of Sava, Studenica became the political, cultural and spiritual center of ´medieval Serbia.
In the heart of the autumn wilderness, the mighty stag stood tall, his powerful call echoing through the misty morning air. His antlers, a crown of pride and strength, bore the weight of countless seasons. Around him, his loyal harem grazed peacefully, their trust in him unwavering. The drizzle painted a serene backdrop, but within him burned the fire of guardianship, protecting his herd from unseen dangers.
This scene is not just a moment but a testament to nature's raw beauty and timeless rhythms. Here, life thrives in its purest form, and the call of the wild reigns supreme.
Tolquhon Castle (pronounced: "toh-hon", and sometimes spelt 'Tolquhoun') is located in Aberdeenshire, north-east Scotland. It lies about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) north-west of Pitmedden, and 2 miles (3.2 km) south of Tarves. The castle was built by William Forbes, 7th Laird of Tolquhon, between 1584 and 1589 as an extension to the earlier tower house known as Preston's Tower. Although ruined, the castle has been described as "the most characteristic château of the Scots Renaissance". It is in the care of Historic Scotland and is open to the public. Preston's Tower was constructed in the early 15th century, either by Sir Henry Preston or by his son-in-law Sir William Forbes, who inherited part of the Preston lands in 1420, following Sir Henry's death. His descendant William Forbes, 7th Laird of Tolquhon (died 1596), began work on a new castle in 1584, retaining the Preston Tower but adding new, more comfortable accommodation. He also improved the gardens and parkland around the house. King James VI was entertained at Tolquhon in 1589. The new buildings were arranged around a courtyard, and included an elaborate gatehouse, and a first-floor gallery. An inscription on the gatehouse records that "AL THIS WARKE EXCEP THE AULD TOWR WAS BEGUN BE WILLIAM FORBES 15 APRIL 1584 AND ENDIT BE HIM 20 OCTOBER 1589". The home of a "Renaissance man", Tolquhon was designed for show rather than defence, and was the work of the mason-architect Thomas Leper or Leiper. Leper's distinctive triple shot-holes flank the main entrance, and are also found at nearby Arnage Castle and Dean Castle in Ayrshire. Also unusual is the stone tilework in the main hall. After William Forbes' death his descendants continued to occupy Tolquhon until 1718, when they were forced to move out due to debts incurred by the failure of the Darien scheme. The castle subsequently decayed and is now a ruin. It is in the guardianship of Historic Scotland and is open to the public. Tolquhon is also a category A listed building and a scheduled monument.
Walking down West Kennet Avenue a line of originally of around 100 pairs of prehistoric standing stones, raised to form a winding 1 1/2 mile ritual link between the pre-existing monuments of Avebury and The Sanctuary. As well as marking the route to Avebury, the stones seem to have acted as grave markers for some members of the Avebury community. South of Avebury, in Wiltshire.
In the 1930s Alexander Keiller, heir to the Keiller marmalade fortune, excavated four graves, all belonging to the Beaker period (about 2500–1800 BC); three contained a single person, but the fourth had the remains of three. These were particularly important people or, possibly, they were buried as sacrificial offerings in some form of ancestor worship. Elsewhere along the Avenue, excavations revealed scatters of human bone, presumably also from burials.
Many of the stones had already disappeared by the time the first record of the Avenue was made, by John Aubrey, in the 17th century. William Stukeley, in the following century, left an account of the massive destruction of the standing stone monuments of Avebury. They were being torn down and broken into fragments for building material.
Alexander Keiller was able to demonstrate that the practice of burying the stones had happened since the Middle Ages when they were possibly associated with pagan worship and considered the work of the devil. Stukeley recorded a similar avenue on the Beckhampton side of the Avebury henge but little of this remains today.
West Kennet Avenue is in the freehold ownership of The National Trust and in English Heritage guardianship. It is managed by The National Trust on behalf of English Heritage, and the two organisations share the cost of managing and maintaining the property.
Information Source:
Stokesay Castle is the most complete and best-preserved fortified medieval manor house in England. Located in a quiet Shropshire valley near the Welsh border, the castle is known for its remarkable 13th-century Great Hall, stone towers, and ornate 17th-century timber-framed gatehouse.
The core of the castle, including the great hall, solar (private apartment block), and north and south towers, was largely completed by 1291. The use of the same team of carpenters throughout is evidenced by shared carpenter's marks on the timbers. The imposing appearance, particularly the south tower, was a status symbol echoing the grand castles built by King Edward I in North Wales, though its actual military strength was superficial.
The castle passed through the Vernon family in the 16th century and was sold to Sir George Mainwaring in 1596, and then to Dame Elizabeth Craven and her son William, the 1st Earl of Craven, in 1620. William Craven made the only substantial addition to the castle's fabric since the 13th century: an ornate, timber-framed gatehouse built around 1640-1641.
In the 18th century the castle was let to tenant farmers who used parts for agricultural purposes, including using the great hall as a granary and the south tower basement as a smithy.
Antiquarian interest grew in the 19th century, and in 1869, wealthy glove manufacturer John Derby Allcroft bought the estate. He embarked on a sympathetic and extensive restoration program that aimed to preserve the existing structure rather than rebuild it.
The Allcroft family maintained the castle for over a century, opening it to the public. In 1986, Jewell Magnus-Allcroft placed the castle into the guardianship of English Heritage, which assumed ownership upon her death in 1992. Today, Stokesay Castle stands as an exceptionally complete and rare example of a medieval fortified manor house, offering a unique glimpse into 13th-century life.
In the golden hush of dawn, where the earth exhales mist and the light gently caresses the landscape, I had the privilege of witnessing a quiet moment of grace. This image, captured in the first light of sunrise, tells a story older than time — the bond between a mother and her young, set against a tapestry woven from sunlight, silence, and wild beauty.
A hind and her fawn, silhouetted by the rising sun, stand nestled within the tall, dew-kissed grasses of a meadow bathed in amber. The light pours over them like honey, softening their forms and casting a warm glow that speaks of comfort, protection, and unspoken love. There is a conversation happening here — not with words, but with eyes, with posture, with presence. The fawn looks up with innocent trust, while the mother stands grounded, attentive, and serene — a sentinel of safety in the great wild expanse.
There’s something profoundly humbling about being in the presence of wildlife, especially in these fleeting, intimate moments where time seems to stand still. It's in these quiet encounters that we’re reminded of the delicate threads that tie us to the natural world — the rhythms of care, nurture, and connection that transcend species.
This photograph is not just a snapshot, but a glimpse into the sacred stillness of the wild — a reminder to slow down, to observe, and to appreciate the quiet poetry written every morning on the canvas of the earth.
photo rights reserved by B℮n
Alicante is a Spanish coastal city located on the Costa Blanca in the Valencian Community. The city is an important port for the export of central Spain and the region with its beautiful sandy beaches attracts many tourists. In Alicante we can find art, culture, seafood and beautiful beaches. Alicante has a beautiful old town with a beautiful boulevard along the coast Explanada de España and lively terraces. The most beautiful sight is the castle of Santa Barbara on Monte Benacantil a hill of 166 meters high. The history of Alicante dates back to 230 BC, when the city was founded under the name Akra Leuk. After that, the city became part of the Roman Empire and in 711 the Moors occupied the city, who also gave the city its current name 'Alicante'. The Moors also laid the foundation for the fortress on top of the Benacantil hill, but after the conquest by the Spaniards this grew into the castle Castillo de Santa Bárbara.
The old quarter Casco Antiguo – Santa Cruz of the city of Alicante is located below the castle. The district has retained the charm of a seaside village, with its steep, narrow, winding streets, with its white facades, its wrought iron bars and its colorful balconies thanks to the pots full of flowers. Today you can still see part of the walls that served to protect the former city. Being such a fortress, and given its location so close to the sea, the castle of Santa Bárbara made it possible to protect the city effectively while promoting maritime trade, which is why the first houses swirled around it logically, under its guard and guardianship. Locals take great pride in their homes, decorating their balconies and doorsteps with fresh flowers, and painting their shutters in blues and greens. When you need to catch your breath, you can always relax in one of the many cafes and restaurants in this part of the city.
Alicante is een Spaanse kuststad gelegen aan de
Costa Blanca in de regio Valencia. De stad is een belangrijke haven voor de export van midden-Spanje en de regio met de mooie zandstranden trekt vele toeristen aan. In Alicante kunnen we kunst, cultuur, seafood en prachtige stranden vinden. Alicante heeft een mooi oude stad met een prachtige boulevard langs de kust Explanada de España en levendige terrasjes. De mooiste bezienswaardigheid is het kasteel van Santa Barbara op de Monte Benacantil heuvel van 166 meter hoogte. De oude wijk Casco Antiguo – Santa Cruz van de stad Alicante ligt onder het kasteel. De wijk heeft de charme van een kustdorp behouden, met zijn steile, smalle, kronkelende straatjes, met zijn witte gevels, zijn smeedijzeren tralies en zijn kleurrijke balkons dankzij de potten vol met bloemen. Vandaag de dag kun je nog steeds een deel van de muren zien die dienden om de toenmalige stad te beschermen. Als zo'n fort, en gezien de ligging zo dicht bij de zee, maakte het kasteel van Santa Bárbara het mogelijk om de stad effectief te beschermen en tegelijkertijd de maritieme handel te bevorderen, vandaar dat de eerste huizen er logischerwijs omheen wervelden, onder zijn hoede en voogdij. Als je even op adem wilt komen, kun je altijd even bijkomen in een van de vele cafés en restaurants in dit deel van de stad.
The ruins of Castle Acre Castle in Norfolk – all that is left of the castle built soon after the Battle of Hastings by William de Warenne, the Earl of Surrey. It is a well-preserved example of a motte-and-bailey castle, and remains one of the most impressive Norman earthworks in the country.
By 1397 the fortifications were in ruins and, despite restoration work by Sir Edward Coke at the start of the 17th century, the decline continued until the 20th century. In 1971, Thomas Coke, the Earl of Leicester, placed the castle into the guardianship of the state. The site is maintained by English Heritage.
Edlingham Castle dates mainly from the 14th century, although a manor house of the 13th century is probably concealed beneath the later building. The earliest standing remains are those of the hall house, built about in 1300 by Sir William Felton at a time when Northumberland was relatively peaceful.
Felton was a member of an important family with estates in Norfolk and Shropshire but he had made his fortune independently through military service, royal favour and marriage to a Northumberland heiress, Constance de Pontrop.
His successors made extensive improvements to the manor house. In about 1340–50 his son, also named William, improved domestic comfort by building a magnificent solar tower, the best preserved part of the castle. As the Anglo-Scottish wars continued, he also strengthened the defences with a gate tower and stone curtain wall. Towards the end of the 14th century William’s grandson, John, completed the enclosure walls and enlarged the gatehouse.
Later owners of the estate included the Hastings and Swinburne families. The Feltons had traditionally been royal officials and soldiers but their successors were primarily local gentry, with less need for military display or effective defence.
The castle was abandoned as a dwelling in the mid-17th century and by the 1660s was being quarried for building stone. At the end of the 19th century only the tower was still visible amid grassy mounds. Since 1975 the remains have been in the guardianship and ownership of the state. They were excavated between 1978 and 1982.
Looking towards the The Grade I Listed Gate House of Stokesay Castle a fortified manor house in Stokesay, near Craven Arms in Shropshire, which is managed by English Heritage.
It was built in the late 13th century by Laurence of Ludlow, then the leading wool merchant in England, who intended it to form a secure private house and generate income as a commercial estate. Laurence's descendants continued to own the castle until the 16th century, when it passed through various private owners. By the time of the outbreak of the English Civil War in 1641, Stokesay was owned by William Craven, the first Earl of Craven and a supporter of King Charles I. After the Royalist war effort collapsed in 1645, Parliamentary forces besieged the castle in June and quickly forced its garrison to surrender. Parliament ordered the property to be slighted, but only minor damage was done to the walls, allowing Stokesay to continue to be used as a house by the Baldwyn family until the end of the 17th century.
In the 18th century the Baldwyns rented the castle out for a range of agricultural and manufacturing purposes. It fell into disrepair, and the antiquarian John Britton noted during his visit in 1813 that it had been "abandoned to neglect, and rapidly advancing to ruin". Restoration work was carried out in the 1830s and 1850s by William Craven, the second Earl of Craven. In 1869 the Craven estate, now heavily in debt, was sold to the wealthy industrialist John Derby Allcroft who paid for another round of extensive restoration during the 1870s. Both of these owners attempted to limit any alterations to the existing buildings during their conservation work, which was unusual for this period. The castle became a popular location for tourists and artists, and was formally opened to paying visitors in 1908.
Allcroft's descendants fell into financial difficulties during the early 20th century, however, and it became increasingly difficult for them to cover the costs of maintaining Stokesay. In 1986 Jewell Magnus-Allcroft finally agreed to place Stokesay Castle into the guardianship of English Heritage, and the castle was left to the organisation on her death in 1992. English Heritage carried out extensive restoration of the castle in the late 1980s. In the 21st century, Stokesay Castle continues to be operated as a tourist attraction, receiving 39,218 visitors in 2010.
Architecturally, Stokesay Castle is "one of the best-preserved medieval fortified manor houses in England", according to historian Henry Summerson. The castle comprises a walled, moated enclosure, with an entrance way through a 17th-century timber and plaster gatehouse. Inside, the courtyard faces a stone hall and solar block, protected by two stone towers. The hall features a 13th-century wooden-beamed ceiling, and 17th-century carved figures ornament the gatehouse and the solar. The castle was never intended to be a serious military fortification, but its style was intended to echo the much larger castles being built by Edward I in North Wales. Originally designed as a prestigious, secure, comfortable home, the castle has changed very little since the 13th century, and is a rare, surviving example of a near complete set of medieval buildings. English Heritage has minimised the amount of interpretative material displayed at the property and kept the castle largely unfurnished.
Pentre Ifan Neolithic Burial Chamber dating from 3,500BC.
For a gallery of images of Pentre Ifan please click here: www.jhluxton.com/Wales/Pembrokeshire/Pentre-Ifan-Burial-C...
Pentre Ifan is the name of an ancient manor in the civil parish of Nevern, Pembrokeshire, Wales. It contains and gives its name to the largest and best preserved neolithic dolmen in Wales.
The Pentre Ifan monument is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and was one of three Welsh monuments to receive legal protection under the Ancient Monuments Protection Act 1882. It is now in the guardianship of Cadw, with public access.
As it now stands, the Pentre Ifan Dolmen is a collection of 7 principal stones. The largest is the huge capstone, 5 m (16 ft) long, 2.4 m (7.9 ft) wide and 0.9 m (3.0 ft) thick. It is estimated to weigh 16 tonnes and rests on the tips of three other stones, some 2.5 m (8.2 ft) off the ground. There are six upright stones, three of which support the capstone. Of the remaining three, two portal stones form an entrance and the third, at an angle, appears to block the doorway.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Warkworth Castle is a ruined medieval castle in Warkworth in the English county of Northumberland. The village and castle occupy a loop of the River Coquet, less than a mile from England's north-east coast. When the castle was founded is uncertain: traditionally its construction has been ascribed to Prince Henry of Scotland, Earl of Northumbria, in the mid-12th century, but it may have been built by King Henry II of England when he took control of England's northern counties. Warkworth Castle was first documented in a charter of 1157–1164 when Henry II granted it to Roger fitz Richard. The timber castle was considered "feeble", and was left undefended when the Scots invaded in 1173.
Roger's son Robert inherited and improved the castle. Robert was a favourite of King John, and hosted him at Warkworth Castle in 1213. The castle remained in the family line, with periods of guardianship when heirs were too young to control their estates. King Edward I stayed overnight in 1292 and John de Clavering, descendant of Roger fitz Richard, made the Crown his inheritor. With the outbreak of the Anglo-Scottish Wars, Edward II invested in castles, including Warkworth, where he funded the strengthening of the garrison in 1319. Twice in 1327 the Scots besieged the castle without success.
John de Clavering died in 1332 and his widow in 1345, at which point The 2nd Baron Percy of Alnwick took control of Warkworth Castle, having been promised Clavering's property by Edward III. Henry Percy, 1st Earl of Northumberland, added the imposing keep overlooking the village of Warkworth in the late 14th century. The fourth earl remodelled the buildings in the bailey and began the construction of a collegiate church within the castle, but work on the latter was abandoned after his death. Although The 10th Earl of Northumberland supported Parliament during the English Civil War, the castle was damaged during the conflict. The last Percy earl died in 1670. In the mid-18th century the castle found its way into the hands of Hugh Smithson, who married the indirect Percy heiress. He adopted the surname "Percy" and founded the dynasty of the Dukes of Northumberland, through whom possession of the castle descended.
In the late 19th century, the dukes refurbished Warkworth Castle and Anthony Salvin was commissioned to restore the keep. The 8th Duke of Northumberland gave custody of the castle to the Office of Works in 1922. Since 1984 English Heritage has cared for the site, which is a Grade I listed building and a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
Tolquhon Castle (pronounced: "toh-hon", and sometimes spelt 'Tolquhoun') is located in Aberdeenshire, north-east Scotland. It lies about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) north-west of Pitmedden, and 2 miles (3.2 km) south of Tarves. The castle was built by William Forbes, 7th Laird of Tolquhon, between 1584 and 1589 as an extension to the earlier tower house known as Preston's Tower. Although ruined, the castle has been described as "the most characteristic château of the Scots Renaissance". It is in the care of Historic Scotland and is open to the public. Preston's Tower was constructed in the early 15th century, either by Sir Henry Preston or by his son-in-law Sir William Forbes, who inherited part of the Preston lands in 1420, following Sir Henry's death. His descendant William Forbes, 7th Laird of Tolquhon (died 1596), began work on a new castle in 1584, retaining the Preston Tower but adding new, more comfortable accommodation. He also improved the gardens and parkland around the house. King James VI was entertained at Tolquhon in 1589. The new buildings were arranged around a courtyard, and included an elaborate gatehouse, and a first-floor gallery. An inscription on the gatehouse records that "AL THIS WARKE EXCEP THE AULD TOWR WAS BEGUN BE WILLIAM FORBES 15 APRIL 1584 AND ENDIT BE HIM 20 OCTOBER 1589". The home of a "Renaissance man", Tolquhon was designed for show rather than defence, and was the work of the mason-architect Thomas Leper or Leiper. Leper's distinctive triple shot-holes flank the main entrance, and are also found at nearby Arnage Castle and Dean Castle in Ayrshire. Also unusual is the stone tilework in the main hall. After William Forbes' death his descendants continued to occupy Tolquhon until 1718, when they were forced to move out due to debts incurred by the failure of the Darien scheme. The castle subsequently decayed and is now a ruin. It is in the guardianship of Historic Scotland and is open to the public. Tolquhon is also a category A listed building and a scheduled monument.
Looking towards the The Grade I Listed Gate House of Stokesay Castle a fortified manor house in Stokesay, near Craven Arms in Shropshire, which is managed by English Heritage.
It was built in the late 13th century by Laurence of Ludlow, then the leading wool merchant in England, who intended it to form a secure private house and generate income as a commercial estate. Laurence's descendants continued to own the castle until the 16th century, when it passed through various private owners. By the time of the outbreak of the English Civil War in 1641, Stokesay was owned by William Craven, the first Earl of Craven and a supporter of King Charles I. After the Royalist war effort collapsed in 1645, Parliamentary forces besieged the castle in June and quickly forced its garrison to surrender. Parliament ordered the property to be slighted, but only minor damage was done to the walls, allowing Stokesay to continue to be used as a house by the Baldwyn family until the end of the 17th century.
In the 18th century the Baldwyns rented the castle out for a range of agricultural and manufacturing purposes. It fell into disrepair, and the antiquarian John Britton noted during his visit in 1813 that it had been "abandoned to neglect, and rapidly advancing to ruin". Restoration work was carried out in the 1830s and 1850s by William Craven, the second Earl of Craven. In 1869 the Craven estate, now heavily in debt, was sold to the wealthy industrialist John Derby Allcroft who paid for another round of extensive restoration during the 1870s. Both of these owners attempted to limit any alterations to the existing buildings during their conservation work, which was unusual for this period. The castle became a popular location for tourists and artists, and was formally opened to paying visitors in 1908.
Allcroft's descendants fell into financial difficulties during the early 20th century, however, and it became increasingly difficult for them to cover the costs of maintaining Stokesay. In 1986 Jewell Magnus-Allcroft finally agreed to place Stokesay Castle into the guardianship of English Heritage, and the castle was left to the organisation on her death in 1992. English Heritage carried out extensive restoration of the castle in the late 1980s. In the 21st century, Stokesay Castle continues to be operated as a tourist attraction, receiving 39,218 visitors in 2010.
Architecturally, Stokesay Castle is "one of the best-preserved medieval fortified manor houses in England", according to historian Henry Summerson. The castle comprises a walled, moated enclosure, with an entrance way through a 17th-century timber and plaster gatehouse. Inside, the courtyard faces a stone hall and solar block, protected by two stone towers. The hall features a 13th-century wooden-beamed ceiling, and 17th-century carved figures ornament the gatehouse and the solar. The castle was never intended to be a serious military fortification, but its style was intended to echo the much larger castles being built by Edward I in North Wales. Originally designed as a prestigious, secure, comfortable home, the castle has changed very little since the 13th century, and is a rare, surviving example of a near complete set of medieval buildings. English Heritage has minimised the amount of interpretative material displayed at the property and kept the castle largely unfurnished.
photo rights reserved by B℮n
Alicante is a Spanish coastal city located on the Costa Blanca in the Valencian Community. The city is an important port for the export of central Spain and the region with its beautiful sandy beaches attracts many tourists. In Alicante we can find art, culture, seafood and beautiful beaches. Alicante has a beautiful old town with a beautiful boulevard along the coast Explanada de España and lively terraces. The most beautiful sight is the castle of Santa Barbara on Monte Benacantil a hill of 166 meters high. The history of Alicante dates back to 230 BC, when the city was founded under the name Akra Leuk. After that, the city became part of the Roman Empire and in 711 the Moors occupied the city, who also gave the city its current name 'Alicante'. The Moors also laid the foundation for the fortress on top of the Benacantil hill, but after the conquest by the Spaniards this grew into the castle Castillo de Santa Bárbara.
The old quarter Casco Antiguo – Santa Cruz of the city of Alicante is located below the castle. The district has retained the charm of a seaside village, with its steep, narrow, winding streets, with its white facades, its wrought iron bars and its colorful balconies thanks to the pots full of flowers. Today you can still see part of the walls that served to protect the former city. Being such a fortress, and given its location so close to the sea, the castle of Santa Bárbara made it possible to protect the city effectively while promoting maritime trade, which is why the first houses swirled around it logically, under its guard and guardianship. Locals take great pride in their homes, decorating their balconies and doorsteps with fresh flowers, and painting their shutters in blues and greens. Spaniards love the outdoors. And who wouldn't do that with that climate. They often see the street as an extension of their home and they also sit quietly on the sidewalk chatting. When you need to catch your breath, you can always relax in one of the many cafes and restaurants in this part of the city.
Alicante is een Spaanse kuststad gelegen aan de
Costa Blanca in de regio Valencia. De stad is een belangrijke haven voor de export van midden-Spanje en de regio met de mooie zandstranden trekt vele toeristen aan. In Alicante kunnen we kunst, cultuur, seafood en prachtige stranden vinden. Alicante heeft een mooi oude stad met een prachtige boulevard langs de kust Explanada de España en levendige terrasjes. De mooiste bezienswaardigheid is het kasteel van Santa Barbara op de Monte Benacantil heuvel van 166 meter hoogte. De oude wijk Casco Antiguo – Santa Cruz van de stad Alicante ligt onder het kasteel. De wijk heeft de charme van een kustdorp behouden, met zijn steile, smalle, kronkelende straatjes, met zijn witte gevels, zijn smeedijzeren tralies en zijn kleurrijke balkons dankzij de potten vol met bloemen. Spanjaarden houden van het buitenleven. En wie zou dat ook niet doen met dat klimaat. Vaak zien ze de straat als een verlenging van hun huis en zitten ze ook rustig op de stoep te kletsen. Vandaag de dag kun je nog steeds een deel van de muren zien die dienden om de toenmalige stad te beschermen. Als zo'n fort, en gezien de ligging zo dicht bij de zee, maakte het kasteel van Santa Bárbara het mogelijk om de stad effectief te beschermen en tegelijkertijd de maritieme handel te bevorderen, vandaar dat de eerste huizen er logischerwijs omheen wervelden, onder zijn hoede en voogdij. Als je even op adem wilt komen, kun je altijd even bijkomen in een van de vele cafés en restaurants in dit deel van de stad.
Sun Light passing, alighting on and going through the recumbent stone based and standing lintled flanked aperture of Tomnaverie a Four Poster Stone Circled Monument near Aberdeen.
Twelve is far too many for most people, please don’t look at all. Some of the best are beyond the first few. There are seven images with the Nuclear Bunker in view to the left of the major focus of stones. I have mentioned the bunker below and in other pictures alongside these on Flickr. I had something to say about Knockargety Hill unfinished fort, but I forgotten what, but I still including a link to it.
Tomnaverie Stone Circle has also been known as Mill Of Wester Coull, The Tomnaverie, Tarland Burn.
Tomnaverie Stone Circle near Tarland in Aberdeenshire is quite fantastic. It nearly killed me to reach it up one short steep slope. It would be quite easy for many people to follow the well set path. The 'after life' at the top of the path was magnificent. I feel sure that I intended to take another picture to join with this one and I failed to do.
This prominent site with marvellous views is only part of the ancient remains here that extend to further circles and mounds that are probably burial cairns. The full extent of the remains is not at all easy to see in Summer growth. Beyond and below and unfortunately most likely through the site, which does show signs of use up to the 1600s, there is also a Nuclear Watch and Fall Out point. Both medieval landscaping and concrete bunker are within a Megalithic site. We humans love to follow on in the footsteps of our predecessors current roads run close and sometimes over ancient sites and we are still drawn to the ancient stone settings which are sited in the landscape when there was less built and more opportunity to see and be seen from site to site.
© PHH Sykes 2025
phhsykes@gmail.com
“In 1926 when there were only four stones still standing Alexander Keiller succeeded in getting the quarrying stopped after what he wrote was the "hectic riot which I created in the quarry last summer" with the landowner Lord Aberdeen. Keillor also got the monument made a scheduled monument in 1927 and taken into official state guardianship in 1930.[26][27][28] State care meant little more than erecting a fence and keeping the grass cut.[12] With Aubrey Burl in 1995 writing "Tomnaverie, ... a once fine recumbent stone circle, is a wreck ... its stones are now a jumble", Tomnaverie was chosen as the site for a major archaeological excavation in 1999 and 2000 led by Richard Bradley. Not only was the site to be closely investigated but also, so far as possible, it would subsequently be restored to something more like its original condition with its stones re-erected in their original sockets.[29][30]”
Tomnaverie stone circle
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomnaverie_stone_circle
Tomnaverie Stone Circle
www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/tomnave...
Tomnaverie
Welfare, Adam (2011a). Halliday, Stratford (ed.). Great Crowns of Stone The Recumbent Stone Circles of Scotland Gazetteer and Appendices (PDF). RCAHMS. pp. 473–477. Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 December 2019. – only published online.
www.historicenvironment.scot/media/4427/great-crowns-ston...
Knockargety Hill unfinished fort
photo rights reserved by B℮n
Alicante is a Spanish coastal city located on the Costa Blanca in the Valencian Community. The city is an important port for the export of central Spain and the region with its beautiful sandy beaches attracts many tourists. In Alicante we can find art, culture, seafood and beautiful beaches. Alicante has a beautiful old town with a beautiful boulevard along the coast Explanada de España and lively terraces. The most beautiful sight is the castle of Santa Barbara on Monte Benacantil a hill of 166 meters high. The history of Alicante dates back to 230 BC, when the city was founded under the name Akra Leuk. After that, the city became part of the Roman Empire and in 711 the Moors occupied the city, who also gave the city its current name 'Alicante'. The Moors also laid the foundation for the fortress on top of the Benacantil hill, but after the conquest by the Spaniards this grew into the castle Castillo de Santa Bárbara.
The old quarter Casco Antiguo – Santa Cruz of the city of Alicante is located below the castle. The district has retained the charm of a seaside village, with its steep, narrow, winding streets, with its white facades, its wrought iron bars and its colorful balconies thanks to the pots full of flowers. Today you can still see part of the walls that served to protect the former city. Being such a fortress, and given its location so close to the sea, the castle of Santa Bárbara made it possible to protect the city effectively while promoting maritime trade, which is why the first houses swirled around it logically, under its guard and guardianship. Locals take great pride in their homes, decorating their balconies and doorsteps with fresh flowers, and painting their shutters in blues and greens. When you need to catch your breath, you can always relax in one of the many cafes and restaurants in this part of the city.
Alicante is een Spaanse kuststad gelegen aan de
Costa Blanca in de regio Valencia. De stad is een belangrijke haven voor de export van midden-Spanje en de regio met de mooie zandstranden trekt vele toeristen aan. In Alicante kunnen we kunst, cultuur, seafood en prachtige stranden vinden. Alicante heeft een mooi oude stad met een prachtige boulevard langs de kust Explanada de España en levendige terrasjes. De mooiste bezienswaardigheid is het kasteel van Santa Barbara op de Monte Benacantil heuvel van 166 meter hoogte. De oude wijk Casco Antiguo – Santa Cruz van de stad Alicante ligt onder het kasteel. De wijk heeft de charme van een kustdorp behouden, met zijn steile, smalle, kronkelende straatjes, met zijn witte gevels, zijn smeedijzeren tralies en zijn kleurrijke balkons dankzij de potten vol met bloemen. Vandaag de dag kun je nog steeds een deel van de muren zien die dienden om de toenmalige stad te beschermen. Als zo'n fort, en gezien de ligging zo dicht bij de zee, maakte het kasteel van Santa Bárbara het mogelijk om de stad effectief te beschermen en tegelijkertijd de maritieme handel te bevorderen, vandaar dat de eerste huizen er logischerwijs omheen wervelden, onder zijn hoede en voogdij. Als je even op adem wilt komen, kun je altijd even bijkomen in een van de vele cafés en restaurants in dit deel van de stad.
On the sand’s edge, a figure keeps watch — a modern sentinel echoing ancient guardians of the shore. Once, watchmen stood to protect the tribe from danger; now, the patrol embodies a quieter ritual, safeguarding leisure and community.
What was vigilance born of survival has become a gesture of responsibility, woven into the rhythm of coastal life. In the morning light, the act is less about threat than presence, a reminder that even in spaces of relaxation, the timeless duty of guardianship endures.
Meet the photographer: youtu.be/-iMIpSY85K4?si=eisPMgUNl9z3OGeV
Tolquhon Castle (pronounced: "toh-hon", and sometimes spelt 'Tolquhoun') is located in Aberdeenshire, north-east Scotland. It lies about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) north-west of Pitmedden, and 2 miles (3.2 km) south of Tarves. The castle was built by William Forbes, 7th Laird of Tolquhon, between 1584 and 1589 as an extension to the earlier tower house known as Preston's Tower. Although ruined, the castle has been described as "the most characteristic château of the Scots Renaissance". It is in the care of Historic Scotland and is open to the public. Preston's Tower was constructed in the early 15th century, either by Sir Henry Preston or by his son-in-law Sir William Forbes, who inherited part of the Preston lands in 1420, following Sir Henry's death. His descendant William Forbes, 7th Laird of Tolquhon (died 1596), began work on a new castle in 1584, retaining the Preston Tower but adding new, more comfortable accommodation. He also improved the gardens and parkland around the house. King James VI was entertained at Tolquhon in 1589. The new buildings were arranged around a courtyard, and included an elaborate gatehouse, and a first-floor gallery. An inscription on the gatehouse records that "AL THIS WARKE EXCEP THE AULD TOWR WAS BEGUN BE WILLIAM FORBES 15 APRIL 1584 AND ENDIT BE HIM 20 OCTOBER 1589". The home of a "Renaissance man", Tolquhon was designed for show rather than defence, and was the work of the mason-architect Thomas Leper or Leiper. Leper's distinctive triple shot-holes flank the main entrance, and are also found at nearby Arnage Castle and Dean Castle in Ayrshire. Also unusual is the stone tilework in the main hall. After William Forbes' death his descendants continued to occupy Tolquhon until 1718, when they were forced to move out due to debts incurred by the failure of the Darien scheme. The castle subsequently decayed and is now a ruin. It is in the guardianship of Historic Scotland and is open to the public. Tolquhon is also a category A listed building and a scheduled monument.
Sutton Scarsdale Hall was built in the Baroque style on the site of an existing house between 1724 and 1729 for the 4th Earl of Scarsdale. The architect for the new hall was Francis Smith of Warwick, who skilfully incorporated the earlier building of about 1469 within his design.
Notable craftsmen were employed here. Edward Poynton of Nottingham carved the exterior stonework and the Italian master craftsmen Arturi and Vasalli carried out the fine stucco (plasterwork) detailing in the principal rooms, remnants of which can still be seen.
Grinling Gibbons is believed to have contributed some of the interior wood carvings. The cost of this splendid building left the Scarsdale heirs with depleted funds and they were eventually forced to sell the hall in the 19th century.
John Arkwright, a descendant of the industrialist Richard Arkwright, bought the hall, but in 1919 the family sold it to a company of asset strippers.
Many of its finely decorated rooms were sold off as architectural salvage and the house was reduced to a shell. Some rooms still exist: three interiors are displayed at the Museum of Art in Philadelphia.
A pine-panelled room is at the Huntington Library, California. It was offered to the Huntington by a Hollywood film producer who had used it as a set for a film, Kitty, in 1934. He had bought it from William Randolph Hearst, the newspaper magnate and well-known collector.
The ruins of the hall were saved from demolition by the writer Sir Osbert Sitwell, who bought it in 1946 after he had heard of the impending sale to dismantle the stonework. In 1970 descendants of the Sitwells persuaded the Department of the Environment to take the building into guardianship and preserve it for the nation.
A recent programme of works has been undertaken by English Heritage to preserve and protect the fragments of the original stucco interior.
St Kenelm's Church, Upton Snodsbury, Worcestershire, is a Grade II Listed Building. Kenulf, King of Mercia (an ancient kingdom which included this part of England), died in 819 A.D. He had a seven-year-old son, Kenelm, and two daughters, Quendryda and Burenhilda. The young prince was entrusted to the guardianship of Quendryda, his elder sister. She was an avaricious person and soon after the King's death she, and her lover, Ascobert, murdered Kenelm at a place called Cowbach whilst on a hunting trip in the Clent Hills (about 16 miles/26 kilometres North of here) so that she could claim the throne.
Tomnaverie Stone Circle has also been known as Mill Of Wester Coull, The Tomnaverie, Tarland Burn.
Tomnaverie Stone Circle near Tarland in Aberdeenshire is quite fantastic. It nearly killed me to reach it up one short steep slope. It would be quite easy for many people to follow the well set path. The 'after life' at the top of the path was magnificent. I feel sure that I intended to take another picture to join with this one and I failed to do.
This prominent site with marvellous views is only part of the ancient remains here that extend to further circles and mounds that are probably burial cairns. The full extent of the remains is not at all easy to see in Summer growth. Beyond and below and unfortunately most likely through the site, which does show signs of use up to the 1600s, there is also a Nuclear Watch and Fall Out point. Both medieval landscaping and concrete bunker are within a Megalithic site. We humans love to follow on in the footsteps of our predecessors current roads run close and sometimes over ancient sites and we are still drawn to the ancient stone settings which are sited in the landscape when there was less built and more opportunity to see and be seen from site to site.
© PHH Sykes 2025
phhsykes@gmail.com
“In 1926 when there were only four stones still standing Alexander Keiller succeeded in getting the quarrying stopped after what he wrote was the "hectic riot which I created in the quarry last summer" with the landowner Lord Aberdeen. Keillor also got the monument made a scheduled monument in 1927 and taken into official state guardianship in 1930.[26][27][28] State care meant little more than erecting a fence and keeping the grass cut.[12] With Aubrey Burl in 1995 writing "Tomnaverie, ... a once fine recumbent stone circle, is a wreck ... its stones are now a jumble", Tomnaverie was chosen as the site for a major archaeological excavation in 1999 and 2000 led by Richard Bradley. Not only was the site to be closely investigated but also, so far as possible, it would subsequently be restored to something more like its original condition with its stones re-erected in their original sockets.[29][30]”
Tomnaverie stone circle
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomnaverie_stone_circle
Tomnaverie Stone Circle
www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/tomnave...
Tomnaverie
Welfare, Adam (2011a). Halliday, Stratford (ed.). Great Crowns of Stone The Recumbent Stone Circles of Scotland Gazetteer and Appendices (PDF). RCAHMS. pp. 473–477. Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 December 2019. – only published online.
www.historicenvironment.scot/media/4427/great-crowns-ston...
in the cathedral of transit, sunlight carves quiet paths between ribs of steel. a child walks in rhythm with a guardian's steady step, their shadows tethered to the future, fleeting as the morning's beam.
The Sandhill crane colt is growing fast under the close guardianship of its parents, with so many predators around it is doing wonderfully well
The national waterways museum is in Cheshire UK at the northern end of the Shropshire union canal where it meets the Manchester ship canal.
It focuses on Britain's navigable inland waterways including its rivers and canals and include canal boats history and tradition of life on the UKs inland waterways.
The Canal & River trust holds guardianship of 2,000 miles of Canals and rivers together with reservoir's and a wide range of heritage buildings and structures
Tomnaverie Stone Circle has also been known as Mill Of Wester Coull, The Tomnaverie, Tarland Burn.
Tomnaverie Stone Circle near Tarland in Aberdeenshire is quite fantastic. It nearly killed me to reach it up one short steep slope. It would be quite easy for many people to follow the well set path. The 'after life' at the top of the path was magnificent. I feel sure that I intended to take another picture to join with this one and I failed to do.
This prominent site with marvellous views is only part of the ancient remains here that extend to further circles and mounds that are probably burial cairns. The full extent of the remains is not at all easy to see in Summer growth. Beyond and below and unfortunately most likely through the site, which does show signs of use up to the 1600s, there is also a Nuclear Watch and Fall Out point. Both medieval landscaping and concrete bunker are within a Megalithic site. We humans love to follow on in the footsteps of our predecessors current roads run close and sometimes over ancient sites and we are still drawn to the ancient stone settings which are sited in the landscape when there was less built and more opportunity to see and be seen from site to site.
© PHH Sykes 2025
phhsykes@gmail.com
“In 1926 when there were only four stones still standing Alexander Keiller succeeded in getting the quarrying stopped after what he wrote was the "hectic riot which I created in the quarry last summer" with the landowner Lord Aberdeen. Keillor also got the monument made a scheduled monument in 1927 and taken into official state guardianship in 1930.[26][27][28] State care meant little more than erecting a fence and keeping the grass cut.[12] With Aubrey Burl in 1995 writing "Tomnaverie, ... a once fine recumbent stone circle, is a wreck ... its stones are now a jumble", Tomnaverie was chosen as the site for a major archaeological excavation in 1999 and 2000 led by Richard Bradley. Not only was the site to be closely investigated but also, so far as possible, it would subsequently be restored to something more like its original condition with its stones re-erected in their original sockets.[29][30]”
Tomnaverie stone circle
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomnaverie_stone_circle
Tomnaverie Stone Circle
www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/tomnave...
Tomnaverie
Welfare, Adam (2011a). Halliday, Stratford (ed.). Great Crowns of Stone The Recumbent Stone Circles of Scotland Gazetteer and Appendices (PDF). RCAHMS. pp. 473–477. Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 December 2019. – only published online.
www.historicenvironment.scot/media/4427/great-crowns-ston...