Welcome to what? The Good Castle Guide is just a little pet project born from years of frustration struggling to get to some remote 'heritage' site in the middle of nowhere, only to find a brick in a muddy field. As keen English Heritage members, we'll be travelling around historical sites (not just castles!) and posting the results on here. From vast palaces to remote, windswept abbeys we'll be searching for those little hidden gems of days out. And treking miles to the rubbish so you don't have to!
How does it work? Each site is briefly introduced and then rated out of five in the following categories:
Value For Money: Is the site worth the asking price? If it's a free site, is it worth the hike to get to?
Educational Value: Are you likely to learn anything here? Will you be able to surreptitiously educate the kids without them realising? Plus points: audio tours, information panels. Negatives: stuffy little 'museums', one faded map in the corner.
Interest Value: Is this site going to keep you busy for hours, or are you just going to stick your nose in?
Overall Rating: Out of five stars. This is our overall impression of the site.
GOLD: This site has it all. It's the bee's knees! Well worth a visit
SILVER: Again, a high scoring site and worth dropping in to. Just misses out on perfection.
BRONZE: A very good site, just not quite up there with the jaw-droppers.
* * * * * Excellent. Well worth parting with a few pounds or hours.
* * * * Good. A competent site, worth a look.
* * * Fair. Drop in if you're close by but don't go too far out of your way.
* * Poor. Probably not much to see or too high an entrance fee.
* Bad. Avoid, really.