Great day with friends

The crowning activity in the Coventry Weekend was our chance to catch up with friends living near Warwick, do a little sightseeing together, and share a lovely dinner meal.



Thanks to both Alistair and Jean for a wonderful day!

PS - And in the Hachie Gal's inaugural driving debut in and about the UK countryside, it turned out just fine.

Coombe Abbey

During our weekend in Coventry, we stayed at a lovely hotel...Coombe Abbey Hotel.



Build around the shell of a 12th century Cistercian monasery, Coombe Abbey was renovated as a hotel in 1995, with the original architectural features restored to their former glory.



Situated in the Coventry countryside, it was a peaceful retreat after a day of 10K running and sightseeing. Actually, it was peaceful AFTER we moved rooms due to the wedding reception that was located directly underneath our room...dancing to every 1980's disco song ever recorded. Burn, baby burn.

Sadly, no interior photos allowed (what gives?) but the hotel was equally beautiful inside as well. A special treat was breakfast in the solarium.

Kenilworth Castle and Gardens

On our return to London from our Coventry weekend, the Budman and I stopped by the ruins of Kenilworth Castle to see the grounds, the stonekeeper's house which is still intact, and the newly restored Elizabethan Gardens.



Kenilworth Castle, located in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, was a medieval castle notable for its extensive defenses. Several great battles occurred here, including the great siege by the future King Edward I in 1266. In later years, the medieval castle blossomed under the ownership of Sir John of Gaunt and grew extensively, including the addition of a great hall (that now represents the greatest portion of ruins). Its later history included visits by Elizabeth I when owned by Robert Dudley, as well as a dramatic battles with Cromwell's troops, leaving an open side to the fine Norman keep.

From 1364, Sir John of Gaunt began the castle's conversion from a pure fortress into something more livable, work that continued with his grandson, Henry V. The castle remained in royal hands until it was given to John Dudley in 1553. Following his execution, Elizabeth I gave it to her favourite, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester in 1563. Dudley further transformed the castle by making the north entrance the main entrance to suit the tastes of Elizabeth, adding the Leicester building, a large apartment and a residential block overlooking the lake.



Elizabeth visited Dudley at Kenilworth Castle several times in 1566, 1572, and 1575. The last visit is especially remembered, when Elizabeth brought an entourage of several hundred. No expense was spared for the July visit that lasted 19 days and is reputed to have cost Dudley £1000 per day, an amount that almost bankrupted him. Dudley entertained the Queen with pageants, bear baiting and lavish banquets that surpassed anything ever before seen in England. Of course, Dudley hoped to marry Elizabeth but that never materialized.

First the castle ruins, in particular the Great Hall.


























From 2005 to early 2009, English Heritage announced that after archaeological investigations revealed more details of the original Elizabethan Garden, it would restore the garden to more closely resemble its Elizabethan form. In addition to the grounds, a marble fountain and aviary were reconstructed. The project had just been completed and was open for touring on our visit. Both the Budman and I were excited to see this, especially with endless BBC programs on the subject. Interesting but left us both a bit under-whelmed.
















Another view of the Stonekeeper's house; also with a nice little exhibit on Dudley and Elizabeth.

Warwick Castle

Sitting on a cliff overlooking a bend in the River Avon, Warwick Castle stands the test of time. Built by William the Conqueror in 1068, it was used as a fortification until the early 17th century, when Sir Fulke Greville converted it to a country house. It was owned by the Greville family, who became the Earls of Warwick in 1759 until 1978 when Madame Tussaud's purchased it as a tourist attraction (see more below).



Out touring entourage were lucky with the weather and enjoyed a gorgeous day of sunshine sightseeing at Warwick Castle, although the sky did begin to turn cloudy towards the end of our visit. First, the entrance to the castle.







The castle was taken in 1153 by Henry of Anjou, later Henry II, and used as a prison for many years with one of its most famous prisoners being the English king, Edward IV. Since its construction in the 11th century, the castle has undergone structural changes with additions of towers and redesigned residential buildings which are evident by the various architectural styles. The castle itself, walled fortress, turrets and grounds.



















In 1898, Daisy, Countess of Warwick, hosted a weekend party at which the principle guests was the Prince of Wales, later Edward VII and a young Winston Churchill. The wax figure exhibit, The Royal Weekend Party as presented by Madame Tussaud's, brings to life the secrets of a Victorian household and all its important guests. Most of the furnishings and fittings are those that were actually here in 1898, and photographs taken at the time mean that it has been possible to put every chair, table, bed and book in exactly the place it occupied exactly 100 years ago.















View of the surrounding town of Warwick and castle grounds from atop the fortress walls (exactly 530 steps to the top...all in a circular staircase, I might add).







The river Avon from the window of Warwick Castle.