A moat--the ultimate water feature!

We went off to Broughton Castle, near Banbury, because Robyn had never seen a castle.  What a treat!  The site has been continuously occupied by the same family since 1377.   It's a smallish castle, but still quite medieval with a Tudor overlay--the excesses of the Victorians passed by here for economic reasons.  The great hall on the main floor was the scene for the dance in Shakespeare in Love and appropriately so, because I think there was a Fiennes in the movie (the family name of the Saye and Sele baronets). The linen fold oak paneling the dining hall is just exquisite.   Obviously, we didn't look depressed because the docent in the top floor let us out to the roof.  The picture opportunity overcame the fear of heights.  The ladies garden is on the site of the 13th century kitchens.  It is a formal parterre with informal plantings.  We were told that the garden is maintained by only one gardener, but I'm a bit aghast at that.  This is a wonderful place to visit--the docents are fabulous, the property not over the top.  I would love to live here.