1. Murder Holes –
These crude holes in the ceiling of a gate or passageway allowed defenders to batter attackers with missiles or liquids. Would you prefer to be scorched by a few litres of boiling liquid or pelted by stones?
Here's a pic of some at Bodiam Castle:
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| Peekaboo! |
2. Machicolations –
Similar to murder holes, except these are in the towers along the wall or overlooking an archway. You have to feel sorry for those poor souls going in first…
3. Bees, cows and poo –
With the development of siege engines and catapults came some quite gruesome attacking methods. Far from just firing over massive stones and heavy projectiles (which are bad enough), attackers would also fire over bee hives, human / animal excrement and even dead cows to spread disease and sickness.
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| A flying cow |
4. Starvation –
If an attacking army felt they couldn’t take the castle by force, or if they just couldn’t be bothered, battles simply became wars of attrition, with the besiegers desperately trying to avoid starvation by eating rats and smuggling food in by whatever means necessary. The defenders would also often have to cope with a poisoned water supply if the well wasn’t protected.
5. Jousting –
Jousting tournaments were held by nobility and were one of the most popular means of entertainment in medieval times. Although lances were blunted, jousting resulted in many deaths and broken bones, and the practice was banned by Henry II.
Here's a pic of a modern-day jousting tournament at Arundel Castle:
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| Copyright © Julia Claxton |
6. Stairwells –
The spiral design of a castle was designed as such to allow right handers above the attackers a fuller swing while those poor chaps below had their range limited by the twist. Unless they were lucky enough to be left handed, of course.
7. Torture –
Castle dungeons were places of terrible and truly barbaric torture. Captives would have been stretched on racks, locked away in tiny cages, had their tongues ripped out, been scolded by burning irons, and generally treated quite horrifically. Hever Castle was particularly gruesome.
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| We've no idea what this is but it doesn't look pleasant |
A Golden Eagle has been spotted in Wales for the first time since 1990, but where else can you encounter some of the UK’s best wildlife?
Cairngorms National Park –
Over 25% of Britain’s threatened species thrive at Cairngorms in Scotland, which at 3,800 sq km is Britain’s largest national park.
What’s there: The elusive Scottish wildcat, more golden eagles and capercaillies can all be spotted, along with Scottish crossbills and wild reindeer.
Tell me more: www.cairngorms.co.uk
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| Loch Morlich |
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| Capercaillie |
Lundy Island –
Now England's only Marine Nature Reserve, Lundy Island is a haven for underwater wildlife and is situated 10 miles off the coast of Devon.
What’s there: A tonne of life including basking sharks, dolphins, grey seals and porpoises.
Tell me more: www.lundyisland.co.uk
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| Lundy Island |
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| Bottlenose dolphin |
New Forest –
Hampshire's New Forest is a walker's or cyclist's paradise with miles and miles of untouched woodland.
What’s there: Four species of deer; the red deer, roe deer, fallow deer, sika deer; reptiles including the adder and sand lizard, and a wide array of insects such as stag beetles.
Tell me more: www.thenewforest.co.uk
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| Red deer |
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| Stag beetle |
Farne Islands –
The Farnes, located two miles off the coast of Northumberland, were voted David Attenborough's favourite place to visit for wildlife in the UK.
What’s there: Grey seals plus over 23 species of bird including puffins, razorbills and Arctic terns.
Tell me more: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/farne-islands
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| Puffin |
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| Grey seal |
Brownsea Island -
Another island, this time near the Dorset coast, Brownsea Island is entirely owned by the National Trust, hopefully ensuring its wildlife remains to be enjoyed by visitors for a long time.
What's there: Red squirrel, wild peacocks, avocets, herons, sika deer.
Tell me more: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/brownsea-island/
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| A red squirrel - grey squirrels have never been introduced on the island |
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| Branksea Castle |
Isle of Mull -
The Isle of Mull is one of the best places in the UK to catch some of the rarest wildlife we have to offer, and well worth the very long trip!
What's there: Killer whales, humpback whales, basking sharks, otters, seals, golden eagles, white-tailed eagles and short eared owls.
Tell me more: www.isle-of-mull.net
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| The Isle of Mull is one of the best places in the UK to spot Killer Whales |
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| The town of Tobermory |
We all love days out with the family, but we can all relate to these five things that make you question whether that day out is worthwhile after all…
1. Long Car Journeys
Fasten your seatbelts parents; it’s going to be a long ride. Three excited, screaming kids in the back of the car as you’re speeding along the mortorway at 70mph is not want you want for three hours, but that’s exactly what you’ll be getting.
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| But they seem so cute... |
2. Extortionate Prices
You thought your local high street was expensive, try that gift shop or fast food outlet and add a couple of quid to every single food & drink item. And we won’t even mention the entry prices… *gulp*
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| That'll be £6.99 please |
3. Queue Jumpers
There must be someone out there inventing something entertaining to do while queuing. Quite simply the dullest ‘activity’ forced upon you, your boredom turns to rage as you see an individual stroll through a queue without so much as a peep from the polite, mild mannered persons such as yourself.
4. Poor Manners
Continuing nicely from No. 3, poor manners in any shape or form has to be one of the most annoying things when on a day out. Try not to get too stressed up, breathe deeply, and tell yourself you are likely to never see that person again…
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5. Broken Or Closed Exhibits
You’ve travelled 50 miles and your eager child can’t wait to check out that awesome new science exhibit or go on the new rollercoaster. Oh wait. They can’t. Because it’s shut. No warnings on website, no refunds, unhappy child. Extremely annoying.
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| I don't think we can go this way kids... |
It’s easy to forget among the travel mayhem of London’s tube strikes that the UK has some of the most gorgeous and serene scenery in Europe, and it’s right on our doorstep. Take a look at some of these photos!
1. Snowdonia National Park
Before marvelling at these photos and checking your holiday dates, note that Snowdonia is officially the wettest place in the United Kingdom! This photographer had to wait thirteen days in the middle of July before capturing these (may not be true).
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| © Crown copyright (2013) Visit Wales | © Crown copyright (2013) Visit Wales |
2. Brecon Beacons
Designated an International Sky Reserve in February 2013, you'd be forgiven for thinking you had teleported into New Zealand upon visiting some of the places in the Beacons.
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| The Ystradfellte Waterfall |
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| Eroded slopes dot around the Beacons |
3. Cheddar Gorge
Voted Britain's second best natural wonder in the UK by a Radio Times poll in 2005, Cheddar Gorge in Somerset is one of the South West's most popular attractions.
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| A winding road around the Cheddar Gorge | Breathtaking views |
4. Jurassic Coast
No you won't find T-Rex bones here, but you will find almost 200 million years of geology packed in it's coastline. I know, the T-Rex bones would have been sweeter, but stop moaning.
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| Durdle Door |
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| Old Harry Rocks |
5. Giant's Causeway
In Antrim now, and only because of a ginormous ancient volcanic eruption many, many millions of years ago. Interestingly, posters of the Causeway have been given pride of place on the Paris Metro and in other French cities to try and draw potential tourists to Northern Ireland.
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| © Causeway Coast and Glens Tourism | © Causeway Coast and Glens Tourism |
6. The Yorkshire Dales
Not just good old fashioned British countryside, the Dales draws in visitors from across the country to take in it's rural charm.
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| © Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority |
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| Waterfall in the Dales |
Summer’s approaching, kids have spent all winter sat on their bums indoors playing video games and you are eager to get them of out the house, but wait! Make sure you don’t forget these 7 tips or risk upset children!
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1. The weather! Just because the sun is shining where you are doesn’t mean the sun is shining two hours away! Check the weather, DOUK have a quick five day forecast for every attraction listed on our website, so do look before setting off.
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| Luckily this chap has brought his wellies! | Those whites are going to get messy! |
2. Are they definitely open? A website can often be slow to update, we always advise to check an attraction’s Twitter feed before leaving home as this is likely to give you the most up-to-date news. Opening times also vary throughout the year so make sure you are looking at the right information.
3. Find out what food facilities are at the attraction. You may want to bring a picnic.
4. Are dogs allowed? Tucker’s in the back seat looking forward to some fun family time, only the place they’ve arrived at doesn’t allow dogs! Disaster! Do always check by calling or visiting an attraction’s website if they allow dogs so you can decide whether to bring him or her along or not!
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| Who wouldn't let this guy in? |
5. Are there any events running? Again, check the Twitter feed to be sure!
6. Don’t just have one thing in mind! Check out nearby attractions and plan your day so kids don’t get bored. DOUK have a great ‘What’s Near’ feature to give you some ideas.
7. Don’t forget the camera. It’s easily done.
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| A camera. Remember it (or your phone) |
