CASTLES BATH

Sham Castle is an elegant 18th-century architectural folly built in 1762 by Ralph Allen, a visionary entrepreneur who sought to enhance the aesthetic views from his Bath townhouse. Designed as a picturesque turreted and castellated screen, it was constructed from locally quarried Bath stone, which Allen promoted as a premium building material. Perched on Claverton Down, the folly showcases the Georgian era's fascination with romantic landscapes and theatrical architecture, offering sweeping panoramic views across Bath and the surrounding countryside. Now owned and maintained by the city since 1921, this Grade II* listed structure remains a cherished destination for walkers and photographers seeking the distinctive visual charm of 18th-century architectural imagination.

Farleigh Hungerford Castle is a 14th-century quadrangular fortress built in phases between 1377 and 1383 by Sir Thomas Hungerford in Somerset, just nine miles from Bath, standing in a picturesque valley of the River Frome. The castle preserves impressive corner towers, outer fortifications, and an ornate east gate, along with a chapel containing beautifully preserved 14th-century frescoes depicting saints and rare lead coffins shaped as human figures housed in a museum crypt. Managed by English Heritage, the site offers visitors daily access to explore the medieval architecture and learn about the castle's role in supporting John of Gaunt's household during the late medieval period.