European Trip Day 13...Ardglass

Four castles, a ruined Abbey and a manor house in one day

We are officially exhausted!

We thought today would be an easier day, and although it was less walking than yesterday it was still jam-packed.

First off was a stop off to see a Game of Thrones site. Dark Hedges features at the end of Series One when Arya escapes from King's Landing along the King's road. A coachload of Chinese tourists had turned up before us so it was hard to get a good shot.

Next we drove south and called in to see the ruins of Inch Abbey. There weren't many other tourists here and it was free!

Then we got lost down a lane trying to find Audleys Castle, but we found it! In doing so we encountered three mini buses full of Aussie tourists doing a Game of Thrones tour. They were all dressed up in costumes and were having a ball.

We took a wrong turn and went in to the back entrance of Castle Ward by accident. John had to back up a hundred metres to let the three aforementioned vans through, as they were attending a banquet there.

We were directed round to the correct entrance, paid the fee and found a park (the only certain things in life are death, taxes and National Trust entrance fees, and only the first seems susceptible to amelioration).  We went down to see the old Castle Ward first. This was "Winterfell" in Game of Thrones....with a lot of CGI enhancement. Of course we met the same crowd again and one posed for a photo with Barb.

A gnarly tree

Ride a cock horse stops Barb being cross?

Then we had a look at the old corn mill and various sites around the grounds before heading up to the mannor House.

Not falling down at all, but rather unloved looking

The Manor House was closed for a private function, but we walked around the perimeter and gardens. Very pretty, but the gardens and house were a bit neglected and needed some love.

We arrived at our Ardglass B&B and it's delightful. It's right in the heart of a very pretty fishing village. Also it has not one but two castles right in town! What's not to love about that?

The golf club

Jordan's Tower