It’s good to see the display boards are now in place at Sandal Castle, including my illustrations on this panel on the bailey which overlooks the barbican, drum towers and keep. I like the contrasting styles by the five artists who have each illustrated a panel. In my photograph you can just make out Liz Kay’s board – a bird’s-eye view of the castle in its heyday – which has been set up on the viewing platform on top of the keep.
We called at Sandal this morning to see the panels and, for once, there wasn’t a stiff breeze blowing up over the ramparts! A dunnock was singing its rather rushed, jingly song from a fence post as we walked across the bridge to the bailey.
My ‘Sandal Castle Guide’ 
Yes, there’s a Robin Hood connection with Sandal, this booklet features a walk around the castle. 
You can still see damage from the Civil War siege. 
The castle had its own kitchen and bakehouse. 
A team of oxen and horse yoked together were used during the construction of the castle. 
The well-preserved sally port was blocked long ago. 
We have accounts of exactly what foods were stored in the castle’s larder. 
Remnants of the great hall. 
A garderobe: a medieval privy. 
Oinment jars. 
Civil war defences. 
The Castle today. 
Aerial view 
The barbican. 
Privy shaft. 
Castle folk.