|
This
summer Sudeley castle is hosting a range of activities aimed at
keeping the kids keen through the whole of the summer.
It
is located in the heart of the Cotswolds, on the edge of Winchcombe.
Fort
Sudeley is a specially constructed adventure playground set in the
gardens of Sudeley Castle.
For
the over-fives with a sense of adventure, there is the opportunity
to sail in Boteler's Boat, cross the swinging bridge, climb high
into the trees along Siege Tower Walk or hide in the tunnels and
dungeons lurking beneath the castle.
There
is also a small play area for toddlers and a dedicated picnic area
for the whole family.
A
Sense of History
The
activities reflect the history of the Castle and are aimed at giving
the children a sense of what it would have been like to be a medieval
knight.
They
can create medieval scrolls, design and colour their own personal
shields or make their own crown jewels.
For
the more energetic there is even a dragon treasure hunt. Kids can
also take part in clay modelling, flower pot painting and making
special gifts with pressed flowers.
Royal
Residents
If
you are planning in visiting Sudeley Castle then you might be interested
to know that it was once the home to Queen Katherine Parr who was
one of Henry VIII's six wives and has also been visited by Anne
Boleyn, Queen Elizabeth I and Charles I's nephew Prince Rupert of
the Rhine.
After
being destroyed by Cromwell, Sudeley Castle remained derelict for
two hundreds years before restoration plans were made by John and
William Dent in 1837.
Today
it is the home of Lord and Lady Ashcombe and the Dent-Brocklehurst
family who continue to regenerate and restore the castle and its
gardens.
Secret
Garden
There
are ten smaller gardens surrounding the castle amounting to fourteen
acres of land which are managed using organic techniques.
Each
garden has its own name and theme, including the White Garden that
is filled with tulips and the Secret Garden, which uses the walls
and yew hedges to create a Mediterranean style planting.
Ghostly
Sudeley
Castle is also the home of a haunting housekeeper, known as Janet,
who was devoted to the castle.
She
is said to be wearing a long dress and mob cap, and she has been
seen by several visitors.
It
is also rumoured that the castle is haunted by Prince Rupert's favourite
hunting dog who was killed during the castle's first three sieges.
For
further information contact Sudeley Castle on 01242 602308 or visit
the .
| Sudeley
Castle's Activity Programme |
| Venue |
Fort
Sudeley, Sudeley Castle, near Winchcombe. |
|
Admission |
£1.50 over 5's, free for accompanying adults & under
5's.
|
|
Opening
Times
|
The
adventure playground is open daily between 10.30am and 5.30pm
until 1st October 2004. |
| Times
for Activities |
Between
2.30pm and 3.30pm. |
| Contact |
For
further information contact Sudeley Castle on 01242 602308 or
visit the . |
|
Schedule
For Activities August 2004
|
|
Monday
August
2
|
Clay
Modelling - create your own masterpiece |
| Wednesday
August 4 |
Dragon Treasure Hunt - find the hidden dragons and save the
day |
| Monday
August 9 |
Medieval
scrolls - design your own and imagine yourself in times past |
| Wednesday
August 11 |
Crown
& Jewels - design you own royal accessories fit for Kings
& Queens |
| Monday
August 16 |
Flower
Pots - paint your own pot and plant it with your very own flower! |
| Wednesday
August 18 |
Jigsaw
Puzzle Treasure Hunt - discover the hidden pieces then colour
the picture.
|
| Monday
August 23 |
Pressed
flower, bookmarks and cards - create a gift for someone special. |
| Wednesday
August 25 |
Shields
- paint, stick and colour your own design. |
If
you would like to comment on this story get in touch at gloucestershire@bbc.co.uk
or have your say on our messageboard
|
If
you have any young children in your family and they are looking for
something to do this summer then the activities at Sudeley Castle
may be what you are looking for. 
