Guildford Castle Keep

Guildford Castle Keep was built by the Normans after 1066 and is part 12th and 13th Centuries with some later additions. For long an empty shell, it has been roofed to just below the level of the topmost windows. The castle has a long history with connections to King John (1199-1216) and thus has served as a royal residence and later as a prison by the Sheriff of Surrey and Sussex. The interior is open to the public at certain times of the year and is well worth a visit.

It was too wet underfoot to go walking anywhere, and I wanted to do some shopping - clothes mainly! - so I went to Guildford. I am possibly unusual in being a male who enjoys shopping! However with current fashion in a severe rut at the moment in my opinion (and I am in no way a trendsetter - I have my very own ideas of what I like and wear!), this wasn't likely to be easy! In the end I did find something - but it was not what I was expecting, being for me a twist on the current mediocrity and making that a lot more interesting and at a very reasonable price. So I was happy with what I bought!

Guildford has been or is home to a lot of interesting and creative people. I have long known that the beautiful actress Julia Ormond (of First Knight fame) was partly educated there. The dancers from Strictly Flavia Cacace and Vincent Simone lived and worked in the town. Looking up stuff I have discovered that writer P G Wodehouse was born there, and Lewis Carroll lived and died in Guildford. In music, the first Led Zeppelin gig took place at the University Of Surrey campus in 1968. In rock, Mike Rutherford was born there, and The Stranglers were based there in the 1970's and Queen drummer, Roger Taylor is a Guildford resident. Just some of the rich talent that has connections with Surrey's County Town.