WALKING THROUGH my first CASTLE! - Shadiversity BRITAIN TOUR vlog 2 (Chepstow castle)

[@RickardLejonhjarta]

filming Shads reaction rather than the castle when arriving is pretty dang wholesome

[@ravenheartwraith]

Wife knew exactly what would be most impactful at that moment.

[@bluegent7]

It's what women do. Being more people, than object, oriented, they have to look you in the eyes a lot. Never change, sweet, genuine ladies!

[@robertaftanas7916]

I hope we get to see his reaction if the go to Corfe Castle, I been many times and it always hits you.

[@stephenwright9749]

That was my thoughts. Seeing his reaction tired a knock at the back of my throat. I bet his wife loved that moment. In my eyes, seeing a loved one react to something they love like that is an amazing experience.

[@PianoSam95]

@bluegent7 LOL that's not how women work. Are you suggesting no men are "people orientated" (whatever that even means) or like to look people in the eyes? I've never felt, as a man, that I'm "object orientated". I quite like people, and objects. What's going on in your mind? Wtf are you on about? 😂 You've turned a sweet video of his wife capturing his reaction to his passion to a bizarre statement of reinforcement of your own personal/narrow ideas regarding gender roles. Just stfu and enjoy the video@@bluegent7

[@JayU10]

"As happy as Shad in a castle" needs to become an idiom immediately. The joy of this moment, knowing the full journey, is just awesome.

[@JD-128]

*_Absolutely!!_*

[@AudraT]

I will totally start using that idiom if you do!

[@joyfulmaerose8933]

Done. That's a thing now.

[@nubrigol]

I like "As happy as _a_ Shad in a castle better.

[@JayU10]

@@nubrigol Yeah, that's definitely better 😂

[@Ellthom]

The joy on Shads face during these videos is just something to admire, he is just so happy to see castles IRL instead of in books and on the internet. Its like seeing a guy come home and meeting long lost relatives. I hope Shad gets to come to the UK more, and I hope he got a lot of out of coming to the UK to explore all the castles he wanted.

[@zachhughes9149]

The pause he took in the last one before actually touching the wall lol. The vicarious excitement is unavoidable.

[@MikeMakesUK]

It is very nice to see him so excited. It is a little infectious. Which is a novelty to say the least. We have so many castles and other ancient buildings here that we're all jaded and used to them. We love them, but they are every day sight for most of us. In a way, he is helping us experience them almost as a new sight again.

[@maphezdlin]

Even though my mom was born and raised in Cardiff and my dad's side is Welsh through and through. My dad's side has been in the United States for over 150 years. Growing up in Utah there is hardly anything over 100 years old and nothing over 200 years old (except the Anasazi ruins). It is just hard for us to comprehend the old world. Shad did an awesome job of showing that joy.

[@Emppu_T.]

When it comes to castles you'd never run out if them in Europe!

[@swaggerfm9838]

Go to Beaumaris Castle. Best ruin I've seen.

[@cravenmadness967]

Just an aside I think is great, that his wife is just going along with Shad's Castle Fanboy fantasy adventure like a trooper. She doesn't try giving her own opinions on things unless he asks, just lets her man geek out on what he loves and seems completely content just being the cameraman. Just wanted to give the Lady a shout out.

[@JamesJNothingIsTooSensitive]

That's because she's showing one of the rare signs of true love - when you can just enjoy your partner's enjoyment. You're having a good time just seeing them be happy. Typically men don't experience this. The children do. Sad that it's rare.

[@Emppu_T.]

That's a proper wife right there! Beautiful family

[@orbit1894]

Because she knows he is the big earner lol

[@RatchildUK]

You should make this a series, cataloguing castles all over Europe.

[@The_Sleepiest_Socialist]

I don’t know if I want to be able to see him walking around Sweden. I’d feel guilty about not saying “hello”.

[@NympoGaming]

It would be cool, but travelling from Australia to Europe could be very costly and exhausting. Some of us are just lucky to live in places with lots of history and others are lucky in other ways, like not having to back up in order to let the oncoming traffic through.

[@foldionepapyrus3441]

Not sure he will live long enough, even if he never gets to go back to Aus... There is a huge amount of history that survives all through Europe, for me if he is going to do Europe in general Guédelon in France would be a good one to visit - the experimental archaeology of building a 'real' castle the ''real' way - so it is basically brand new but as period correct as you can get. And then cherry pick a few of the more unique for the geography, history, or design language as trying to really look at all the Castle that still exist at all would be a very long task. But pick a good example of the Gothic, a good example or fortifying a natural choke point or fortifying where there is no geologically aid etc...

[@michaelshelton5488]

And maybe after that, he can tour samurai castles in Japan

[@markmorris7123]

Australia isnt part of the EU. Would be very hard and costly to get Visa after Visa..Its easier when your younger because you can get different sorts if visas

[@iRoppa]

Shad’s sense of wonder and awe is childlike. And I can’t think of a bigger compliment than that. ❤

[@benwhite8924]

He reminds me of myself when I visit castles

[@iRoppa]

@@benwhite8924 I know, right! 👍

[@selpharessecret3899]

@@benwhite8924 visiting historical buildings is something else, kind of hard to explain it.

[@kevcaratacus9428]

His passion is wonderful

[@yourturn5059]

Seeing Shad geek out over this castle, and his epic journey through the UK hits me in the feels! I hope you have the best time over here, buddy! And thank you for letting us enjoy this with you!

[@Fubar42]

When I was growing up, my parent was English Heritage area manager for the south coast. We lived in a Napoleonic Fort and I visited so many castles and other heritage sites growing up I kind of took it for granted. Your joy in visiting these places has reminded me how lucky I was, thanks Shad.

[@bkelly2310]

I also was fortunate enough to have parents who took us all around the country seeing all kinds of significant sites. I was a history nerd as a kid so I loved it but it's been a while since I have done anything like it. This video has made me think it's probably time for a day trip.

[@PoetofHateSpeech]

I loved Tintagel castle

[@VictoryWorks]

I recognise Fort Brockhurst in your profile, is that where you lived?

[@Fubar42]

@@VictoryWorks Oh no, you've discovered my secret identity! Yeah that's where I grew up the first 13 years of my life. Was a pretty fun playground once the gates were shut to the public at night.

[@VictoryWorks]

@@Fubar42That's amazing. I live on Portsdown Hill so I'm familiar with the forts and the area. That sounds like an incredible childhood!

[@KrillixKai]

I don't know what we did to deserve this video, but... more castle tours please. Thank you so much Shad!!

[@acertainredpanda1115]

I'm so happy to see Shad enjoying himself so much. He deserves this trip of a lifetime! I live in Europe, and sometimes I forget how amazing it is I can visit such historic sites whenever I want.

[@londonbobby]

I don't normally follow Shad, I only know him from his weekly appearance on FNT, but watching his childlike joy of experiencing real castles has been wholesome and enjoyable.

[@trathanstargazer6421]

Watching people be happy is one of my favorite things to watch and seeing Shad all happy and giddy has got to be one of the most enjoyable experiences I've had so far on this channel. I really look forward to seeing him geek out over more castles!

[@sockpuppet5453]

As a Brit, this was so wholesome. A lot of people here take our history for granted, or even hate it. There can be a really depressing mood of decline and self loathing in the country that those people give off. To see someone so animated and passionate about our heritage really cheered me up and gave me hope! Looking forward to that deep dive man!

[@leod-sigefast]

Don't let twitter bots fool you into believing this made-up culture war BS. No one 'hates' our (British) history. I have never in my 42 years heard a fellow Brit say: "I hate our history" or even a foreigner or ethnic minority Briton say it.

[@starchamberproductions3903]

@@leod-sigefast Plenty of people round my way hate the way "British" history is pushed as a way for English history to subsume the history of Wales, Scotland and Ireland. I've heard many others from those places say the same thing. Don't make the mistake of thinking that everyone in Britain thinks like you, regardless of what country they live in (or any other of their circumstances).

[@Doomboy292]

I’m touched by his raw enthusiasm and sheer delight. He’s earned this trip, he deserves this trip

[@racheljames7]

Shad, getting to see you have these special experiences brings a tear my eye. You remind me to feel lucky to be English. We're blessed to have you in the UK. Thank you for appreciating our shared history.

[@MrMJAWhite]

My feelings exactly! Thank you.

[@chickenmadness1732]

@@starchamberproductions3903 He's not Welsh so why would he say anything else? lol If he's English he can drive there in a few hours.

[@Rekaert]

Not gonna lie, seeing Shad's gushing enthusiasm for the old castles here is pretty infectious. I grew up near an old Abbey built in 1152ad, so I never really had that "whoa" moment, I get to vicariously enjoy it now. 😀

[@TheGreatMandalore]

It's so weird to see someone so excited for a castle. As someone from Europe, that visited countless castles in Spain, Italy, UK, Germany, France it is just funny but also very sweet to see someone so excited.

[@matthicks1129]

For someone like me, from the states, it would be once in a lifetime.

[@e.s.lavall9219]

I visit Chepstow regularly so seeing Shad LOSE IT over somewhere I can just go every couple of months if I wanted...is adorable and reminds me not to take our history for granted

[@greathornedowl1783]

There isn't a single real castle in Australia only 19th century fortresses but barely any of them at that, our country just isn't old enough :(

[@2nd_Directorate]

@@greathornedowl1783 It is an interesting thought. I live in germany, in a city with many locations, statues, buildings and even whole areas dating back up to the 11th century. Not having something man made like that is something i never considered. I feel it is very humbling standing in front of something that old.

[@VaasMontenegro12]

​@@greathornedowl1783 and unfortunately even when it will be old enough, there will be nothing cool left, concrete buildings degrade very fast without a lot of maintenance, there wont be ruins of skyscrapers ever. And also even if some old buildings survive, they're not particularly cool, they're not giant stone fortress used to protect nobles who control their nearby lands that they hold titles to. They're just some houses, or apartment buildings, or convenience stores. And even our architecture is lame and boring now. Suburban houses look so bland and soulless compared to say, Parisian buildings even from the 19th century.

[@BH-rx3ue]

Things like this are so underappreciated in the UK. Most people would look at it, shrug and move on. It took me ages to stop and go for a walk in the local area of london where I was working and see things I just hadn't seen before like Buckingham palace etc

[@barongerhardt]

I think that is true of most people, everywhere. Of the many places I have lived, I have rarely seen the "tourist" sites, unless with someone visiting.

[@walkir2662]

@@barongerhardt The one exception being where you go to school and they bring you there at least once.

[@level22level]

It's the classic, if it's on your doorstep you'll get around to it "one day".

[@tommoore9333]

I think those of us in Britain and Ireland,dont appreciate what we have on our doorsteps. We love to mock and belittle ourselves,but sometimes we forget that our little corner of the world is quite lovely.

[@LearnTrainPlay]

warms my heart to see shad this happy.

[@jimmyjay4307]

My wife is now working as a liason for global company between North America and Europe, based out of the London area. She gets sent out there a few times a year, and I piggy back on her trips as often as I can. We went to Tewksbury for a ren fair, that was actually a battle re-enactment with all the trimmings, and it got the bug in me. Walking around Tewksbury there's an amazing Abby (can't remember as I'm typing this if it's an Abby or some other religious site), and other amazing buildings right in the middle of a modern town. I've since been to 15 other castles, and my reaction to everyone is the same as yours as you pull up to this one.

[@patriciafenwick5846]

Your enthusiasm is infectious. I've visited a few British castles, and, as you say the scale is amazing. The rate at which they were built and the number of them dotted around England, Wales and Scotland is phenomenal. So glad you are enjoying yourself.

[@MediumRareOpinions]

They're also great to highlight how inflation over time has progressed. One castle I visited had a full moat dug for the princely sum of a whole £20

[@patriciafenwick5846]

@@MediumRareOpinions Yes. And some annuities paid to knights were between £20 and £40 per year, and they had to live and arm themselves with that.

[@Reveticate]

As somone who's also struggling with being a human, I'm very glad to see you carrying on with your passions despite your particular condition.

[@norryvamp]

Good to see you enjoy yourself. Being from central Europe, I never realize how unique we are to be surrounded by so much history. There isn´t a day I don´t stumble over something ancient...

[@foldionepapyrus3441]

For me it isn't that I don't realise it, just take it for granted rather more than I should - just because its been there all my life, especially in the areas I have spent alot of time.. Though recently went back through the old City gates here and at some point since I last walked through that area of town they have been cleaned (probably for the first time since the industrial revolution with the shear amount of stuff that it turns out isn't black, or even dark coloured metal/stone at all). Was the first time since I was little the gates actually caught my attention or fired up my imagination at all, really did shout 'We are a wealthy powerful City you don't mess with us' in a way the dingy black with dirt but still imposing gate didn't.

[@walkir2662]

I grew up next to a public park that had a few weird trenches in a piece of wood people used for mountainbiking. i later learned it's the remains of a Karolingian(?) circular rampart. A 100 meters or so away, there's a pseudo-castle built on the remains of an old castle. We went there in elementary school... because the current owner has a museum there our teacher wanted us to visit. (And because of elementary school history being heavy all about locsl history, but mainly because of the museum)

[@HH-hd7nd]

This is not unique to Europe. People just talk about it more than in other parts of the world. China, Japan, India, most parts of Africa - so much history everywhere. The oldest Maya ruin in Mexico for example is over 3000 years old. The Pyramid of Djoser dates back all the way to 2630 BCE. Adam's Calendar, a Stonehenge-like structure in South Africa, is about 75,000 years old and most likely the oldest known man.made structure.

[@DieGoetterdaemmerung]

@@HH-hd7nd While true I think there is a major difference in the sheer amount of castles that persisted throughout time and how the history is still incorporated in the modern cities/towns, I live in bumfuck nowhere in germany in a town with 5000 people, we have castle in our town, a ruin of a monastery and within a 30km radius there are at least 24 castle ruins/castles (that's the ones I managed to find), none of them are famous, have youtube videos of them, wiki articles or are on any castle trip advisors, some of them are little more than a tower ruin with a moat around them in the middle of a forest but they just sit there. And then there is all the stuff the romans left behind. It's just everywhere you look. Having been to Japan and China it's not really comparable, Japan has some very famous castles but the country is far from littered with them, same goes for china with the added destruction of history performed by the CCP and their "cultural revolution". Most of ancient Egypt is kinda concentrated to major sites, which is great for visitors but far from "everywhere you look". I get your sentiment and all these places deserve aknowledgement but it's not the same, at least to me and many other people.

[@HH-hd7nd]

​@@DieGoetterdaemmerung Ich komme ebenfalls aus Deutschland und bei uns in der Gegend gibt es so gut we gar keine Burgen - vielleicht 15-20 in ganz Schleswig-Holstein. Das macht Deutschland insgesamt aber nicht weniger burgenreich.

[@TheArrieman]

I feel like, us people, need people like yourself, to remind us how absolutely amazing and mind boggling the world we live in today is.

[@martasorangeberry]

Nice to see you so happy Shad! 😊 have a great time in uk!

[@etiennepaul641]

I love watching people who have grown up in a country with such a short history getting so excited about old places. It takes someone like this to remind me that, indeed, it is old and impressive.

[@RauMins]

I'm gonna be that broken record, but seeing Shad be so excited at castles just makes me so happy, glad you brought wifey along too, though hearing her breathing makes me wish she had a chair to rest on at times ♥

[@thegrumpygeordie9007]

Its interesting to watch Shad's reactions to things that we take for granted in Britain, like windy roads, one way systems and signs for elderly people crossing.

[@walkir2662]

Seeing Shad see something I take for granted for the first time reminds me of my niece finally being old enough to get the child version of what Christmas means.

[@pry87]

As an Englishman it warms my heart to see a fellow Anglo visit their ancestral homeland for the first time. If you're heading over to Yorkshire (for York and Az) I'd recommend Whitby, it doesn't have a castle but the Abbey is fantastic and the views phenomenal. Probably my favourite seaside town in the country.

[@StormholdIndustries]

And good fish and chips.

[@Warentester]

Do we know or assume that this is his ancestral homeland?

[@starchamberproductions3903]

"Ancestral homeland" for an "Englishman"? Chepstow is in Wales.

[@MrTangolizard]

@@starchamberproductions3903yes but built by the English

[@pry87]

@@Warentester Shad has said he is of British decent many times.

[@anubis7617]

It's cute that your wife loves you so much that she keeps filming your face instead of the road or the castle. But we know Shad's face pretty well by now 😂

[@WJS774]

Can only capture his first reaction once, the castle has been there for a thousand years, it's not going anywhere in the next five minutes.

[@RaoulKunz1]

As others wrote: it is so very wholesome seeing Shad react to this, I take castles for granted, they're everywhere in Germany around every corner and this is truly relighting my castle affinity quite a bit! Best regards Raoul G. Kunz

[@di3486]

So jealous! I grew up in Latin America, we don’t have anything that close (except for a few surviving Spanish forts). Walking an European castle is literally my dream.

[@BMVB1500]

This, and the last one, made me nostalgic for seeing Conwy castle the first time as a kid. Welcome to beautiful Britain, Lord and Lady Shad.

[@wallacemendonca5594]

Shad's inner child must be bursting with joy right now. jumping and grooving in his mind.

[@solaire7046]

I would also highly recommend Warwick Castle, I went there as a kid and that experience pretty much got me into medieval history. Also for those in Germany I would very much recommend Neuschwanstein Castle, the castle Disney's logo was based off of.

[@0612rex]

Warwick Castle is good, but I found it a bit too touristy. There's a lot of history there if you know what you're looking for, but it seems to be more like a tourist attraction and there's a lot of historically inaccurate things they put there like with the dungeons to attract people.

[@MacGuy3135]

On the other side of the highway is Kenilworth. A lot less tourists and a lot more history.

[@RilaAudio]

Our roads are often difficult due to the way British population centres are built. Many of those roads will have been the same shape since medieval times. You should see places like Dunster and Wiveliscombe. My goodness, vehicles can struggle.

[@creativi-tea398]

The most hilarious is when Americans try to bring Humvees over here, Motorways are fine but watching them attempt to navigate Kentish country roads that are little more than a horse track is ridiculous. Tesla autopilot also meets its match and panics when encountering small medieval villages haha.

[@foldionepapyrus3441]

Yeah the area he was complaining about was a nice wide road really. Parked Cars on both sides and you can still just drive down it! Though as more than a few roads in the UK we know have been much the same shape for 2000 odd years too. Having been old long before Medieval Europe kicks off.... In many ways its impressive how the relatively giant modern car can still get around in them at all... (Though round my little corner of the UK the roads are mostly bigger and newer than that.)

[@vegvisir9276]

British roads are only awful for people who can't drive

[@Zoddlander]

I'm so happy for you Shad! I get mildly misty eyes when you are showing your happiness like this! enjoy yourself! and I hope to see the dedicated vids soon! Ha en fortsatt trevlig resa Mr och Mrs Shad!

[@Gelp]

Superb video - Truly lovely to see your reaction. Welcome to the UK!

[@fungooloo12]

Exactly how I felt when my grandparents took me around England. I too used to touch walls and ruins and imagine a connection and visualise the people of the past. It is like a flash across your mind more than a focused thought. The feeling was amazing when I was 10 years old.....Now I am 57 and returning to the UK for the first time since then, I have changed inside, life has changed me but I hope there is a little left that can feel what Shad is feeling, the same child like emotions, I hope it very much.

[@s.g.3898]

Man. I am so very happy for you. This must be an incredible feeling after the years you have spent learning about such things

[@TRPLD]

I think the same way you feel about castles I felt the first time I stepped up to the ledge of the Grand Canyon and realized just how vast and utterly beautiful it was in the setting sunlight. It is something that moves something inside you and changes you forever!

[@kentslocum]

As soon as Shad walked into the castle, I had a strange feeling of dejavú, because there was a level in Roller Coaster Tycoon 3 where I had to build a theme park inside an old castle, and it was modeled on this castle.

[@MrRaposaum]

Seeing Shad on modern plain clothes and riding a car was something that mentally stunned me for a moment hahaha. Good castle!

[@ottersirotten4290]

It beautifu and wholesomel to see a grown up Man so overwhelmed by Enjoyment he essentially becomes a Boy again.

[@zak3744]

It's really interesting to see two things through an outsider's eyes: 1. a castle, when you don't have the British associations of being dragged round hundreds of them on hot, summer, holiday outings as a child (but getting really excited at being allowed to buy a souvenir pencil or rubber in the gift shop), 2. the 'terrible, cramped' roads where I was expecting to see some of our genuinely daunting roads, but then you panned round and I thought "they're just standard roads in a normal small town!" 😁

[@neoaliphant]

Lol, completely agree, decades later i have a box of rubbers, postcards, cardboard knights.....and i thought the same thing about the road bit, thought it was quite wide.

[@ramsesflores7743]

His happiness is contagious 😊 I'm so happy for him.

[@cwulfe1]

Shad, seeing your enthusiasm at these two castles is so refreshing. Here's to your continuing adventure in Britannia!

[@orionstarrthegreat2514]

This is great, I'm loving this for you!

[@neimenovani7256]

Seeing a man fulfill his dreams like this is so wholesome!

[@seanobrien798]

I had similar feelings and thoughts when I was in the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. It was amazing to stand in a place completed in the 6th century AD and a part of so much history.

[@rcrawford42]

Did you find the Viking graffiti on the balcony railing? I tried to, but couldn't.

[@seanobrien798]

Yes, I did! I assume it was from the Varangian Guard.@@rcrawford42

[@thoso1973]

Arundel Castle is huge and fully intact. The family still lives in some of its buildings to this day. Caernarfon Castle in Wales stands out with its octagonal towers, also fairly intact. Tower of London is also a must, though it is usually full of tourists.

[@drzander3378]

In addition to the Tower of London and Arundel, I also recommend Warwick, Windsor and Cardiff.

[@cgederz6747]

As a Brit, my favourite pastime is complaining about almost everything. Seeing this really makes me appreciate how fantastic the UK really and maybe, occasionally, I shouldn’t be so cynical.

[@dragoncastle771]

I think the best part of this video wasn't the castle itself, although it's amazing, it was hearing all the little giggles of joy from Shad and his pure enjoyment of it all. Loved this video! 🙌 Never stop doing what you love! 👌

[@ArtBykenzo]

Was lovely meeting Shad and his lovely lady at the uk meet up, has been awesome seeing Shad in his element. Definitely want to see more of these uk castle tour videos 😁

[@justnmcd]

I love how you can see the real excitement of Shad compared to the videos of others that have lost that because of being around them and it becoming a job.

[@wolfendyllia4658]

At the begining , I have been supprised how you reacted to your first castle visit then i remembered that you are from Australia. I live in france so I already visited numbers of castle of different kinds during my life and now visiting one looks boring. However your video makes me realise how lucky I am to live in a country, like britain, where they are literaly castle everywhere and now my curiosity is renewed. I think I shoud go watch one soon. I hope you will share the visit of more castle on your trip with us. Thank you Shad.

[@milanondrak5564]

I went to Chepstow Castle the other day. We are cruising around Wales in my narrowboat at the moment. I'd definitely recommend you visit Raglan Castle and Carreg Cennen castle.

[@garrettfromsmokeinthewoods]

I just saw the Matt Easton debacle . Stay strong, brother. Just remember Psalm 41: 9-11. We are with you.

[@dungeondr]

Good thing about having so much rain in our country... greenery EVERYWHERE ☺️

[@gerardfarresfranch7242]

Its an entertaining reminder of how lucky I am seeing Shad so giddy about visiting a castle, granted I'm not british but we have castles in Spain too, and not opnly did I grow in the shadow of one I even attended class in one for a few months! Welcome to Europe Shad! Where buildings are older than countries and nobody thinks about that because we are too used to seeing such buildings

[@Glitch_343]

Glad to see you are enjoying yourself. Having lived in England all my life, I kind of take these castles for granted. However, some of my favourites to visit were: Corfe Castle Arundel Castle Warwick Castle Dover Castle Durham Castle Canterbury Castle Berkley Castle There are plenty more out there in various states of ruin (thanks Cromwell....prick) but these are the ones I remember most. Looking forward to the next video 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@NateTheScot]

Man, chronic fatigue sucks man i'm sorry you're having to deal with that. I know how UTTERLY debilitating it can be. I'm so glad you got to use the hype and excitement of seeing the castle and getting to touch such old stuff to keep you going. Love these vlgos and can't wait to see more.

[@Maerahn]

Sorry Shad - not only do us Brits take our castle for granted, having lived around them all our lives, but we also take our narrow little Victorian-era, pre-car streets for granted too. They're just as much of a pain to us, if it's any comfort, but I guess they must be pretty terrifying to those who are more used to well-planned, wide open road plans. 🙂 Your castle videos are giving me so much joy - thank you for making them! As a fellow Castle Geek, with a Castle Geek teenage son, I never imagined I could have even more fun watching a non-native Brit loving our castles than the fun me and my son have had over the years, but your vlog is like a warm mug of hot chocolate on a cold winter's evening, i.e. perfect. 😊

[@rcrawford42]

As an American, my three moments of WTF? on English roads: one was a country road so narrow that the brush on both sides was scraping my rental The one lane road on Hardknott Pass, with a truck coming the opposite way. Nothing I wasn't used to in the US , growing up in a rural area. But this time I had to slide by on the left, instead of the right. And, finally, a wide, straight road with good ditches that felt like one back home -- the Roman military road south of Hadrian's Wall.

[@doctorbritain9632]

Watching your enthusiasm and sheer joy wandering around this chunk of British history brought a big grin to my face. My parents took me to many of our castles growing up, and I probably didn't realise how privileged I was. Keep having fun.

[@Sbjweyk]

If you’re ever in Germany I can really recommend Burg Elz, Burg Altenar and Burg Linn. But honestly there are soo many here it feels like you can’t drive 5 miles without seeing one on the horizon.

[@karinefonte516]

I can remember walking through my first castle, here in Portugal... It's unforgettable!

[@kathyevans3251]

Castles enchant the imagination at any age..It is a beautiful castle.

[@Richy0326]

One of the things that really hits home more in person is that feeling of "people used to live here".

[@ThisName1]

The sheer joy and happiness on shads face is wonderful to see.

[@thewatcher3561]

Great to see someone geek out while going around a castle, they are great to walk though and take in. Bamburgh Castle.... I recommend going there and doing the tour 😉

[@NewHeathen]

Absolutely love this, just puts into focus how many of us Brits take our beautiful history for granted. I love seeing these castles, that I have visited many times before and experiencing the giddy excitement of my first time again but through Shad's eyes. Wonderful, wonderful video.

[@racheljames7]

My feelings exactly. I'm English and love history, and Shad sharing his special experiences reminds me not to take it for granted.

[@Mythtrekker610]

I would love to show you around Skipton Castle as it is a little different as the Lord and Lady still live in there. Also I love to see your reaction if childish glee at Chepstow. I still get that to this day and I am surrounded by Castles.

[@markwazz]

Happy for you Shad. You deserve this joy

[@ReenactionMan]

This video made me feel like I take living in Great Britain for granted and should probably go see this stuff for myself

[@imbarmstrong]

Good to have you over here enjoying the history

[@ashleysandford5096]

I love just how purely happy Shad is, this is just 40 minutes away from where I live and it's honestly so easy to take it for granted what history we have on our doorstep

[@primeradiant827]

Great that you finally can see the castles in person. Strange it's raining so much in Wales. It's been very hot and sunny here in this part of England.

[@cmpiepho]

Shad's gleeful laugh is just the best, I could hardly stop smiling while watching this. I'm so happy for you man

[@ArsonFire00]

Shad, our small narrow roads keep us safe, especially from tourists unfamiliar with the area. Narrow roads mean there's no chance of speeding etc. So happy to hear you and Lady Shad are enjoying your visit. God bless.

[@katecritt]

There's so much joy in seeing someone talk about and interact with something they're really passionate about. This was a long time coming.

[@Aiken47]

It is mind blowing to try and comprehend how much time has past when you’re in such ancient buildings. Italy is also a great place to see. 2000 yr old doors at the forum. Florence is my favourite.

[@decentdave4223]

You must be talking about Kevin Hicks of the history squad channel or if you like the Warwick bowman. Did a fantastic walkthrough of chepstow, he mentioned the worn away groove in the iron bolt. Great video thank you Shad.

[@ApothecaryTerry]

The excitement on Shad's face arriving at the castle was brilliant. The video had to contain the word "machicolation" of course! Narrow roads, going to see a lot of those in the UK 😄 Not sure I'd call the 2 Rivers cute (or little) though! It's a (not particularly great) standard chain pub - the Queen's Head is the cute little pub to go to in Chepstow! Looking forward to Shad going full geek in the detailed videos on some of the features, I feel like we're going to get a LOT of content out of this trip...

[@tabithahiggins5075]

Shad, so happy to see you get to see in person these castles you've dedicated your life to studying. Many more happy castle explorations to you, I can't wait to see you see the next one!

[@HippoKing.MP3]

It's so wonderful to see Shad having such childlike glee with these! I had very similar feelings when I visited the UK for my own bit of castle touring, you really do feel the weight of all the souls that walked those halls before you. Can't wait for the dedicated videos! Love watching you geek over these :)

[@isaacstokes3132]

I’ve always taken it for granted being able to go and see castles all over Britain and never taken into account how it must feel to be someone from a different country like America that doesn’t have them. Im so happy that u’ve been able to fill some real childhood dreams seeing it in person. Genuinely it’s one of the best bits about Britain that we have that historical aspect and it’s so well preserved, and I hope ppl who also love history can fulfil some of their dreams like this coming to c castles and other historical sites all around Britain

[@TRPLD]

You would make such a fantastic tour guide... Maaaan, I'd love to get a castle tour all through Scotland or maybe even Germany (my home country) with you geeking out each time for two or three hours and showing me around all this fascinating stuff.

[@rumbarrels1183]

Love the Greggs cameo at 2:13, that's how you know you're in the UK!

[@castlesandcuriosities]

It's really wonderful to see someone with such passion for these places and is so excited to feel and imagine the history that has passed these old stones by. I just wish more people could appreciate our castles. They won't last forever.

[@lunarmodule6419]

Great stuff! Enjoy and makes tons of videos. Thx

[@kcrash7150]

Eyy good to see you exploring the UK Shad! Fellow Aussie here, I went through a few castles in my trips up there. My most memorable castle would probably be Dover in England. As well as Blarney over in Ireland. Hope you are enjoying the trip as much as I did.

[@Thoran666]

I grew up next to medival castle and every 3rd village here has one, most of them are quite run down and only partially inhabited. But being inside those big, cooling walls in summer is amazing.

[@ThriftEGaming]

The scale is impressive. You can really see how the castle contained a whole town.

[@deerhunter2270]

I live here. As you can see the castle is up on an elevated position but there's also a port wall which protected the old town outside the castle down to the river bank. The streets are also narrow because of the medieval layout of the town. :)

[@solaceofflame]

I love your childlike wonder and enthusiasm you exude. So wholesome.

[@TRPLD]

Great video series over all! I love this type of content; if someone is really passionate about something and is charismatic enough, it is always interesting to watch. And you (and your whole team) are more than charismatic enough. So although I'm neither a sword nor medieval history buff/nerd I really enjoy your content. Thank you and keep up the good work!

[@randomxnp]

Having visited castles since I was young, and seen buildings that were hundreds of years old (my college had a building about as old as that castle, from approximately 1200, that was still in use for films, plays and club activities) it is wonderful to see the delight of someone from a new country seeing the depth of history in person for the first time.

[@sukamadik5983]

It's great to see having a blast what is a fantastic change of pace from having to watch horrible media and entertainment you love being destroyed. I hope every day of your vacation is better than the last.

[@1701EarlGrey]

It was cool to see Shad being so enthusiastic - like a kid in candy store! 😊And yes, it is truly amazing that they let you tough 800 years old wooden door. I would just keep it lock in some air-prove container made up from bulletproof glass - those door are one of the kind and absolutely priceless! Also this castle make impression on me - it's great to know how massive building were build long before invention of modern machinery. If I had both time and money I would go to Britain to see things like those - in my country, Poland, we don't have as many old buildings like those; for example in my hometown there was I castle with rich history - Russian tsar Vasili IV Shuisky was held prisoner there but entire castle was destroyed during Swedish deluge in 17th century and since then there is no castle there only church changed into hotel... So, it would be nice to see things like this castle which is more than 800 hundred years old...

[@Boudi-ca]

Wow! I’m feeling the sheer awe right here with you. Isn’t it just spectacular. The history preserved here is humbling to say the least.

[@johnedgar7956]

Absolutely brilliant, Shad! Thank you for sharing this journey with us. 🙂