Stephen Hands 
Edinburgh Castle is perched high above the Scottish capital on an outcrop of volcanic rock. The castle dominates the skyline, with the city spread out beneath its defensive walls. As you walk up the Royal Mile, the castle looms large ahead, but just how big is Edinburgh Castle? Edinburgh Castle measures 384,669 sq ft (35,737 … Read more
Caernarfon Castle is one of the great medieval military fortifications. This magnificent structure in North Wales attracts thousands of visitors every year. It is a place steeped in history, but who has called Caernarfon Castle home through the centuries following its construction? King Edward I was the first resident of Caernarfon Castle. Constructed to help … Read more
Spectacular Conwy Castle is one of Europe’s finest medieval castles. It forms part of the ‘iron ring of castles’ built by the English King Edward I to deter future Welsh rebellions. The castle took just four years to build, but who designed and built this medieval masterpiece? Conwy Castle was built by the architect Master … Read more
It is only 80 years ago when Londoners were wondering where the next bomb would fall. Targeting towns and cities with bombing raids was a strategic decision during the second world war, aimed at disrupting supply chains and undermining citizen morale. From September 1940, London took a horrific pounding from the sky. Yet, when did … Read more
The Tower of London has stood as an imposing fortress and garrison since the days of William the Conqueror. Nowadays, it is best known as a prison where many famous historical names spent their final days. However, for 500 years the Tower also served as a royal residence, where a Medieval Palace housed luxurious apartments. … Read more
In the ninth century, Scotland, as we know it today was still divided along tribal grounds. The Picts ruled over much of the territory north of the Forth, except for the Gaelic kingdom of Dal Riata that extended along the western coast. It was a time when Viking raids were taking their toll. One man … Read more
Wales has more castles for every square mile than any other European country. The Normans and the English built castles to project their power and to create a base from where they could mount their bids to conquer Wales. Wales is a castle lover’s paradise, but which castle is the biggest? Caerphilly Castle is the … Read more
Poland has an incredible history and heritage, and its architecture reflects its magnificent past. But did you know Poland has some of the most impressive castles in Europe? Poland is home to 500 castles, all with unique designs that reveal its rich and diverse history. Some are UNESCO World Heritage sites, while others range from … Read more
The thought of the Tower of London can still send shivers down the spine to this day. Originally built as an imposing fortress, the Tower became a prison for many famous historical names across the centuries. For some, it was their final port of call, doomed to execution on Tower Green, or just beyond the … Read more