Photo Feature: Summer Has Arrived at the Castle Grounds

Published on: 7 Jul, 2024
Updated on: 10 Jul, 2024

Sumer Is Icumen is the opening words of an old English song, meaning “summer has come” or “summer has arrived” – and that now seems to be true of Guildford Castle Grounds with its annual display of floral summer bedding beginning to bloom.

Photos of Guildford Castle Grounds, 2024, by Daniella West.

That song was written down around the middle of the 13th century by a monk. It’s not know whether that monk composed it, or whether it had been composed earlier, but at that time Guildford Castle was a royal palace.

Here is a look at the Castle Grounds in the summer of 2024, with a selection of photos by Guildford Dragon NEWS volunteer Daniella West, who has captured this delightful public open space where history and colourful flower beds are in harmony.

The Guildford.org.uk website states: “By the end of the 13th century the castle had been so improved by Henry III that it merited the title of ‘palace’. A succession of kings, queens and barons continued to occupy the castle until if fell into disuse in the late 14th century.

“In 1886 it came into the possession of Guildford Corporation. The Great Tower was restored and the surrounding land was laid out as pleasure gardens.”

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