Stafford Castle is an ancient Grade II listed castle situated two miles west of the town of Stafford in Staffordshire, England. From the time of the Norman Conquest and as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 it was the seat of the powerful Anglo-Norman Stafford family (originally de Tosny, later via a female line^[1] de Stafford), feudal barons of Stafford, later Barons Stafford (1299) by writ, Earls of Stafford (1351) and Dukes of Buckingham (1444). The 14th-century stone keep was demolished in 1643, during the Civil War, having been held for the Royalists by Lady Isabel Stafford.^[2] The castle was remodeled in the early 19th century by the Jerningham family^[2] in the Gothic Revival style, on the foundations of the medieval structure, and incorporates much of the original stonework. Today the A518 Stafford-to-Newport Road passes next to it and it is a prominent local landmark visible from the M6 motorway and from the West Coast inter-city mainline.

PS: I chose this walk to be presented with my Ukraine medal which arrived earlier in the week

Today I walked 5 ½ miles for my Race the Distance challenge in support of Ukraine. I will be making a donation to support the emergency support charities and when my medal arrives I will dedicate another walk in support of Ukraine.

My walk took me to Woodhenge, Leegomery Pools, The Silkin Way, Apley Woods, Dothill Nature Reserve and the paths that linked them all together. The sunshine and the antics of the birds on Tee Lake uplifted my spirit