Secrets of a Medieval Castle | Goodrich Castle 

Every time you do a castle tour, my girlfriend and I immediately put it on the living room tv. We can't express how much we look forward to your little documentaries!

This man is a national treasure. Deserves so much more recognition. Imagine being a child with him as your history teacher, absolutely inspirational.

His excitement is infectious. You can't help but smile and be in awe of this man's passion for the history of this period. What an amazing guide! Imagine having him in the family. I'd be here all the time with him.

As a young man in the seventies I wandered many English castles, always felt at home in cold quiet stone, thank you for your manner of bringing the stone to life.

If school had taught us history the way Kevin tells it I would have loved it back then. Instead it was doled out to us in huge, dry chunks and the only expectation was that we remember the dates. These videos are gems.

To me, Kevin can be the coolest granpa one can possibly have.

That was the quickest 40 minutes ever! I’m still wanting more. Such a great teacher and story teller! Brilliant brother!

I could watch this for hours. It’s also constantly devastating that we can’t really see exactly what it looked like and see the people living their lives in places like this so many years ago in times of both peace and war. So frustrating but it’s still so beautiful as well. I wish I could see things like this in person. Great video as usual, thank you. Without people like you I’d never get to see things like this incredible castle. It must have taken quite a while to plan and build something so well thought out. Absolutely awesome!

If those walls could speak,the stories they would tell. The tour was spectacular. Your passion for history is much appreciated. Cheers from across the pond! 👍🇬🇧🇺🇸

Props to the cameraperson for being dynamic and showing all the things talked in great detail. Camerawork easily gets overlooked, and maybe that is the point in a way, to make it feel as seamless and well flowing as possible. Same goes to everyone behind the scenes, great work as usual.

Brilliant. I used to work for the landscape company that looked after the grounds. Fascinating to learn the history...makes me feel in a small way part of it. Well done. Great video.

Fascinating. I’ve been to a few castles and when I’m walking around I always look around and just try to imagine and visualise just how it would have looked back in the days when it was lived in and used. They must have been unbelievable sights back in their day.

It’s always good to see you posting new material. History is life…good seeing you Kevin. Keep your bowstring waved mate.

Can you imagine how these beautiful castles would look when they were first built?

The truly fascinating parts are the day to day living that these people had to figure out living inside the fortress. The cooking and water storage and of course what to do with the poop. Hats off to you Kevin, for actually explaining it. Not a job you would have wanted to be born into. "Cmon kids we gotta go spread out the poop to dry" Another great job and the channel is growing so much!! Cheers!!

As extraordinary as these castles are already, you’re enthusiasm makes them even more so! Thank you for yet another amazing tour…

If I had a ticket to a time machine to give away I’d definitely offer it to Kevin. His enthusiasm and knowledge of earlier times is radiant he would so much deserve to see all he speaks to us about real time!

Sometimes, I have difficulty imagining the missing parts, but you paint a fantastic picture with your stories and knowledge that really brings the castle to life. Thanks for another great tour!

I can't get over how well designed this place is plumbing, fire places, built in sinks, built in ovens etc etc. I think this place would have been quite magnificent in it's day. How sad things have to be destroyed.

I grew up in Texas, the closest thing to a castle I have been around is a 1600’s lookout tower the Spaniards built. It has battlements and little murder holes but calling it a castle is generous. Always amazing to see the real thing, all that old stone with so many memories and so much history is amazing.

That was a fantastic castle tour. I'm glad you took the time to go through the little details in the castle, like how the plumbing and heating worked. Those things can be easily skipped over but that's what made the castle feel like a home to the people living there.

What a wonderful tour! It feels like being there in person - thanks to the immensely personable guide. Thank you for making this possible for millions of people who can't make their way to the castle!

That tour was amazing. It must have taken years to build this complex before the Civil War. Thank you so much.

Thank you very much for this. Although I'm very proud to be a Texan, my family came to the colonies from England in 1750. I consider this kind of History to be very much part of the history of my family.

"And then you've got to go around the castle to actually attack the front barbican." I like how the castle guard were thoughtful enough to install that "ENTRANCE --->" sign so attacking armies would know which way to go 🥰 We LOVE your channel, Mr. & Mrs. History Squad!

These castle tours are amazing. Really appreciate you both taking the time to do these. It’s sad in its own little way that we will never know truly how beautiful these rooms and buildings were, but like you say, use your imagination and knowledge and you’re not far off. It blows my mind how it was all just normal for them, but people will likely be saying the same about us in 500 years. Big thanks Kevin, looking forward to the next one

I love these castle tours. I live in Tennessee in America and this is the closest I’ll every get to seein a castle so if you could do more of these like a whole series, I would definitely watch them all. You do a really good job explaining them too, my wife and I love it🤙

What a great castle - The Civil War was a sad time if only for the destruction of so many wonderful properties - after the Dissolution of the Monasteries a hundred years before, people must have felt quite vulnerable... A fitting monument to our turbulent past. Must have been some fun history lessons, Sir!

I remember my parents taking me to England a few times growing up. We always did tours at nice historic places (all enclosed with modern amenities), but nothing like this. I imagine in pre-internet days, you'd have to be pretty savvy to know someplace like this even exists. I bet I would have loved to go around a place like this when I was a little kid.

As a keen history enthusiast I watch all of your videos Kevin. I think this is one of your best, please do more of these castle tours so I'll know what to look out for when I visit. From a fellow longbow archer, many thanks

What a splendid tour, thank you Kevin. Incredibly evocative, enthusiastic descriptions as ever. Very much appreciated. I love how the castle emerges from the bedrock, constructed from that very stone. As though it has grown from the land over the course of a millennium. Immovable, almost indistinguishable from the earth on which it sits, in parts. Fabulous! Thanks again. 👍👍

It is such a joy to watch your videos Mr. Hicks. We are all so fortunate that you have decided to pursue your passion for History after performing a life of service to the community.

I could listen to this good man speak about history all day, thank you for sharing this with us all sir

This is THE most educating and interesting presentation on this castle. Thank you Kevin for explaining the various historical aspects of this castle.

I’m always amazed that these structures are still reasonably intact. The architecture is phenomenal. Thanks for the great tour. 👏😁🇦🇺

Really love his enthusiasm and you can see why. It's absolutely fascinating to learn just how clever and innovative they were back then. Love it.

Fascinating description of castle defense from the perspective of the defenders and the aggressors. I've never seen a more interesting video describing how a castle worked. Thanks, Kevin!

How magnificent it must have looked in its day. Such a lucky guy Kevin for you to make films about these locations and doing so with Julie. We loved the longer duration too.

I always love watching people geek about their favorite stuff, passion for a topic is a learning aid like no other. Sir, your enthusiasm and genuine love for history makes this kind of learning so much more engaging and enjoyable. And major kudos to the camera operator; your work adds another level of love and enthusiasm to an excellent lesson. The combination is honestly something you couldn’t beg for if it wasn’t already present.

Fascinating how these castles are preserved. They are much more interesting as ruins from an architectural point of view and aesthetic than incorrectly reconstructed like Windsor, Warwick or Arundel. Thank you and keep showing these castles.

Its always a great day when we get a new video from Kevin! What a fantastic addition to my day off, Ill prolly watch this twice! I cant think of anyone better to take us through any castle, especially another youre so familiar with like Chepstow. Im stoked to see what little details youll show and the stories youll share Edit: I feel like this is the same castle I once heard Mick Aston mention in passing, saying something along the lines of "... they dug through over 100 meters of dolorite, that rock is like steel..." but for the life of me cant remember the time team episode. Goodness what Idve give to be able to marvel at stuff like this in person. Amazing to see the remanants of the balcony in the church, of course even in a house of worship theyd put themselves above and seperate from the common rabble. 😑 I hope some passionate graphics artist makes a digital reconstruction to tour or something. Those towers are just so grand, the guards there mustve greatly appreciated what seem like compartively luxurious accomdations.

Oh kevin, no wonder it took a bit. The production value is noticeable! And i really do appreciate this. And now i got why i find this format of film so intriquing, they're straight up a field trip. We got like 4 castles here, It feels so weird that it was in ruins, just over 100 years ago... You're doing the place a service :) This is such "form follows function" side of the coin, castles look majestic even in ruins. Look at that drop, it all has a purpose. It all has a story. Like the fireplace, imagine what has been spoken around it throughout the years. The cupboard that was laid with bricks and mortar from miles away, just to have a cupboard fit for a lord. the sanitation is deeply thought out, because you did not want squalor in such dense quarters. Just fascinating stuff, i know this is niche but i really do enjoy this content. And how it was all destroyed with gunpowder. Imagine living there when it was at its finest... Wonder how much it'd cost to build one of these today, but back then this was the pinnacle of technology. Now it fits your pocket. The keep was almost a thousand years old, and you still stood atop of it. "they don't build them like they used to" It was built to the task, and because they had castles like this, necessity being the mother of innovation, they had to make bombards. And because of bombards, we have radio. Absolutely fantastic content Kevin, thanks a tonne! Also big ups for the editor, could not have been a simple job this. Thank you so much!

I really love these castle tours - excellent video and very interesting. Whenever we are on holiday somewhere we try to fit in a castle to have a look around. I find it astonishing how old these buildings are, but I also think about how it must have been for the poor folk who had to live under the rulers of the time.

Your enthusiasm when telling stories makes them come alive,I wish I had been on your tours.Great videos.

Goodrich was always my favourite Welsh castle. Also happens to be one of the first I ever visited.

I remember good Goodrich castle. It was 1988. Camping nearby we slipped in before opening times at about 06:00. Me and my mates had the place to ourselves. We did no damage. Wide eyed we explored. It added to my love of all the glorious debris of this country. God love you Kevin.

It never ceases to amaze me how technologically advanced they were back then. Most of the time people think these times were somewhat barbaric and such, but it’s amazing either way.

Thank you for doing these tours. As someone who may never be able to afford to travel to the UK, but has always been fascinated by the history it means so much to hear you speak and show them in such detail.

I love these castle walk throughs! Having the tiny details pointed out and explained are so interesting and fun to learn about, as well as the things right in front of your nose that you wouldn't normally think twice about. It is sad to hear about the wall collapsing after holding on for so long but what can ya do? A very cool castle video with a wonderful guide and camera woman to help tell the tales and secrets of a once (and still is) beautiful fortress. Thanks Kevin!

You obviously do love this place, your enthusiasm shows, and it is delightful to see, your knowledge actions and theatre have convinced us Goodrich castle this year here we come, thank you 🤠

Great tour! I always loved castles growing up. I fear the new British won't revere and protect the past like the indigenous people have. They have a history of destroying their predecessors' artifacts.

I always wanted to tour the world when I got into my 50s and 60s. I didn't realize it would be via shows like this. Thank you so much for making it possible.

Thank you Kevin, a very well timed break from the insanity of modern issues. I've always enjoyed watching your shows. Starting with the Documentary " the war of the roses " .

I dream of being able to tour historical places, castles, and palaces with you or someone just as knowledgeable and skilled in delivering that knowledge as you are!

These videos to me are almost as exciting as an Easter morning. Wake up and in the living room there it is, my Easter basket with a small gift and lots of candy and such. I feel almost the same way. Can't wait to get into it and enjoy what's waiting for me. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us and enlightening some of us of our history.

I absolutely loved the way Kevin detected and noticed all the details of the ancient structure, and explained their significance. Fascinating.

It's so interesting hearing about the rich history of this magnificent castle! Your commentary offers a glimpse of what life was like during the age when this castle was in her full glory. As you talked I imagined the rich ladies in beautiful long gowns and the Knights in armor ready to defend this place. I imagined the dark and damp, smelly prison area. The stables full of horses, the drawbridge and the stronghold of the fortress walls lined with bowman and later, cannons in each aperture. It is wonderful to see even the ruins of this castle, it must have been breathtaking in its heyday! 🏰 Great video! ❤💜👍

I came here two years ago and was amazed at its history and architecture. Probably my favourite castle in Britain. Would of loved having tour guide as knowlegable as Kevin. Great video yet again.

Keith, thankyou for your services throughout your career. You are also a national hero!

"I have terrified so many children in here! You can't imagine." LOL Delightful. 😀

Kevin, you are the BEST tour guide ever! You are filled with AMAZING facts and can read a castle like the back of your hand! Please continue bringing us these types of videos! 🤩

Always fascinated by you taking us on tours of these magnificent places, Kevin. Thanks for another excellent and educational video.

Kevin, your knowledge of castles is fabulous! Love watching your vlogs ! Fascinating! 👍

I’m a metal detectorist and them ploughed fields outside the castle look like absolute heaven 😍😍😍

This is going to be a great video, as always. The right way to end the week. Thank you!

Awesome video!! Learning incredible little details about castles is fascinating. It makes me to see a project to create an entire new castle in the blueprint of a typical medieval castle. It would make for a great tourist attraction but an excellent way to learn and relive the past

Man I'm envious of the schoolkids who used to get these tours. Would love to have a tour guide like you as an adult!

The UK has such an amazing history through the ages and fascinating landscapes with their castles. I wish I could tour this country someday.❤

Love the archaeology/location walk and talk vids. One of the older castle tour videos was how I stumbled across your channel.

Stellar job as always Kevin. I learn so much from you. I also want to say hats off to your camera person. They brilliantly framed every shot and perfectly illustrated your story. Very professional.

Thanks for this enlightening tour. It has given me much perspective. Days when I am HATING my soul sucking 9-to-5 gulag of a job, I can now muster gratitude that I'm not the "gunk farmer"! 🙏

Thanks so much for this I absolutely love it, it’s on a par with your Chepstow vid. I haven’t visited either but want to, the castle walk around a are my favourite. I don’t know the history of the castle but seems extremely fortified especially the doorways, more so than Kenilworth? Oh Also nice one with the stair way to heaven quote I just knew you’d be a led zep fan :-)

Fascinating. we are very lucky to have this history, and people like yourself to pick out the things we all miss!! well done kevin.

Here I am again’ watching and learning with my dear friend Kevin’ he is absolute treasure for history and telling the story of our great heritage’ advancements’ turmoil’ war’ peace’ everyday life, he’s a treasure for the day and the ages!

I never imagined medieval castles with plastered walls. I always pictured the standard exposed stone walls. Such a neat detail that changes the way I think about castles. They must've looked absolutely stunning during their time.

You have a great grin on your face when describing the different aspects of the castle. It is truly evident you love the history. Thank you for bringing this alive for us to see.

Absolutely essential video! Goodrich and Chepstow are my absolute favourite castles… and your videos have greatly enhanced my enjoyment! Will be visiting both again in July…. I cannot wait

I went to Goodrich about a week ago, during a thunder storm! Wish I'd seen this first, you've really brought the castle to life

Kevin’s castle walks are Must See TV. Outstanding stuff!

Thank you Kevin, for the wonderful and informative tour. Your enthusiasm for, and love of history is evident in all your videos. This was a nice little video break from the flat lands of W. Texas. Cheers.

Loved to tour Kevin, very interesting. Love to see more of these ‘tours’ especially as i find it difficult to visit these places myself.

Great to watch this video on Goodrich Castle, such a mighty fortress that is truly iconic!! Really enjoyed your presenting Kevin, just fantastic!

Thanks Kevin, My parents lived in Newport for years and I also my main work office is in Caldicot. I have driven past Goodrich Castle many times but have never visited so this is a treat. Your description brings it alive! 👏

Absolutely amazing documentary. Thank you so much for your complete explanation of this structure and it’s inner workings.

I like to imagine that as Kevin is doing these castle video more of the tourists start following him to hear his telling of the history

“We’re going down down into the depths of the castle” he said with a great smile of excitement 😊

This is better content than the History Channel used to have. Bravo!

I lived in Scotland for three years. Whenever we went somewhere new we'd make sure to see all castles we knew about within reasonable range :) Wish I'd run into someone like you to give us a tour :D Also, I hope somebody with 3d modelling skills start making castle tours (showing them not how they are today, but how they might have looked back when they were in use)

I just love your enthusiasm for these kinds of things! watching you run around like a kid on his first visit to a castle just shows that age is but a number and you never really slow down! I hope I hold this kind of passion and energy for what I love when I get into my more fine years!

This is a great tour. Goodrich is one of those castles that's in all the books, but everyone always focuses on that round tower on the square base. I'd never seen an in depth tour of the place showing how well preserved much of it is. I'd love to visit this castle for real some time!

Absolutely fascinating trip through this magnificent castle Kevin !! Well done sir. It's so much better having a knowledgeable guide to point out the little nuances and intriguing points that most of us would likely miss on our own. My imagination was running wild reconstructing the different floors etc. You've made it this visit extremely enjoyable Kevin. Thanks again for a wonderful journey. Cheers from Ontario 👍👌

Love this video, I have always been interested in how they built fortifications and how someone figured out how to defeat them.

Absolutely fascinating. I would love to tour that castle. I could just imagine the history, even more so than the old manors and castles that are perfectly kept. Thank you for the tour!

I have terrified more kids down here than you could imagine…… it’s brilliant!!! 😂😂😂😂 GOLD!

A truly excellent tour! Kevin makes you really understand the layout of the castle and all its characteristics.

Thank you for another great video Kevin! I love these castle tours and hope you can do more.

Great video! Goodrich is possibly the best castle I've visited, due to how complete its features still are. Thanks for bringing it to life so well 😊

I love watching your videos. I'm American but all my ancestors are from England after coming to America in the 1600s so this is the history of my ancestors too. I love learning more about how my ancestors lived. I can imagine my ancestors being there and I think about what it took for them to survive during those times. They survived the black death, famine, other diseases, and war.

Thanks for showing us this fantastic castle, Kevin. Your knowledge makes this SO interesting.

Kevin, I think this is absolutely you in your most splendid element of historical appreciation. This series is amazing, keep it up!