Old Wardour Castle near Tisbury in Wiltshire showcases a unique six-sided 14th-century tower house built by John, Lord Lovel as a statement of prestige as much as defence, with unusually large windows on its outer walls. The Arundell family later remodelled it as an Elizabethan manor, though it suffered greatly during the English Civil War. Today the hexagonal ruins stand serenely in a picturesque lakeside setting amid woodland acres, managed by English Heritage, where visitors discover a Georgian banqueting house and the whimsical Gothic Grotto incorporating prehistoric standing stones. The castle's romantic setting provides an ideal backdrop for exploring medieval architecture and Civil War history, with excellent picnicking opportunities among the grounds.
