Friday, October 19, 2012

Tamworth Castle

Part two of our outing last Saturday was a visit to Tamworth Castle.  After our lunch at Middleton Lakes (see my last post)  it was nearly 2.30pm. and we weren't at all sure if the castle would be open but we decided to park up and walk through the pleasure grounds towards the castle.  Hurrah - it was open until 3.45p.m. so we had just over an hour to look around.  In we went not sure what to expect.  We weren't disappointed!


There is quite a bit of renovation and building work being carried out at the moment so some of the outside areas and the Norman displays were inaccessible.  We made our way through the huge doors into the reception area.  The first part of the building to see is the Medieval great hall.

It was very impressive but somehow the impact of it was lost as it was split into two by ropes as you go round the castle one way and come out on the opposite side of the ropes back into the great hall. 

Upstairs next to the Tudor dining room.  

The withdrawing chamber on the far side had been set out as a kitchen area.

Then we went up onto the next floor where there were Museum displays about the history of Tamworth from pre-historic times to the present day. It was nice to see that there were some pieces from the Staffordshire Hoard on display with some replicas of objects to show how the pieces would have been used as decoration.  There is a wonderful exhibition on a much larger scale here in the Potteries Museum in the city centre at the moment and another similar one at Birmingham Museum which we saw earlier this year. 


From this history displays we were able to go outside onto one of the walkways overlooking the chimneys of some of the roof structures.

Then it was up onto the roof of the tower where there were some wonderful views of the town 

and a view of the walkway we had just walked over.


The castle was lived in as a family home for several centuries and much internal alteration has taken place to reflect the tastes of the time.  A lot of these were done by Lord Humphrey Ferrers whose family owned the castle right through from the 15th to the 17th century.  The bedroom above is a reflection of those times.  This family left the castle in 1642 at the outbreak of the Civil War  and it was garrisoned by a Royalist force where continual 'harrying' raids were carried out against the nearby Parliamentarian town of Lichfield. In 1643 the castle was under siege and was eventually captured by Parliamentarian forces and held by them for the rest of the war.

The Townshend family lived at the hall from 1714 until 1837 and the next rooms reflect these rather elegant times.  It was difficult to take distance photos of the rooms as the sun was streaming through the windows so I've just honed in on a couple of things that caught my eye.  I loved the blue of the glasses above against the pretty blue and white wallpaper.

As well as the detail in the bonnet above.  There is an area near this display where you can try on various hats and wigs and a huge mirror to admire yourself in.

Above and below are Victorian rooms, above the nursery and below the rather grand panelled room which was used by the Cook family who were tenants of the Townshend family until they sold the castle in 1897 to the Tamworth Borough council for the sum of £3,000.  A museum was opened there two years later.

We were surprised at how much there was to see inside the castle.  The door you can see at the far end of the room leads down a staircase and back into the hall where we first entered.

At the end of the tour is a good little gift shop and an area with tables and chairs where you can have coffee/tea and biscuits. Not the table below, of course, set for afternoon tea with its central samovar.


An hour passed so quickly and it was soon time to leave and wander back to the car park through the pleasure gardens and by the river.  

26 comments:

  1. Great view of the walkway below and did you try on any of those hats or wigs Rosie? I think I would have been tempted. x

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    1. I didn't try a wig on as just the thought of it made my scalp itch:)

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  2. lOVE THAT PRETTY BLUE WALLPAPER, I WANT, WANT, WANT IT FOR OUR BEDROOM! It would look great with our mahogany fitted wardrobes and dark wood bedside tables, and a gilt-framed convex mirror ... I'd have to change the curtains but as they're now 27 years old (but still OK) I think that would be acceptable to Him Indoors! This paper is both elegant and pretty. I've never cared much for blue, we don't have any blue in the house, but this is a lovely shade that I could live with.
    Margaret P

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    1. I loved that room which had lovely blue swagged curtains at the window against the wallpaper - it was all so light and elegant. The wallpaper would look lovely with darker furniture. Although I love blue as a colour I always think it looks cold on the walls but that wallpaper certainly didn't look cold at all:)

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  3. That's a new one on me I'd never heard of Tamworth before. I would love to try on the hats and wigs!

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    1. There were quite a few to choose from, mostly men's ones like perukes and periwigs and tricorn hats:)

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  4. the victorian room is my favourite. Great shots. Love Helen, Darcy and Bingley xxx

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    1. The Victorian room was rather splendid with all that wood panelling:)

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  5. It looks worth a visit! We visited Tamworth a few times when Dave lived in Wolves but we never made it to the castle. We'll have to go one day.

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    1. It is worth a visit, Louise and it will be wonderful when all the renovations are done, too:)

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  6. Another fascinating place you have found to visit, Rosie. Looks like you'd need a good head for heights!

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    1. Yes, it was quite high up there! My castle story isn't half as scary as yours though:)

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  7. Ive passed Tamworth a million times on the M42(?) but never called off. I shall have to make a special trip as it looks wonderful - especially the castle. xxxx

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    1. It is worth a stop off and the pleasure gardens are lovely too, lots of geese and ducks on the river. The town looks interesting too - we've only had a peer at the main street on a previous visit but there are quite a few old buildings:)

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  8. What a delightful way you h ave of describing all that you visit... thank you for sharing, I have been to the castle but never inside, so this was very interesting for me. Tamworth is about 25 miles away so not far at all... love the fact you are describing in your own words and pictures... loved too the blogs about tracing your family connections, isnt it just the most addictive thing ever! We have traced my mothers parental side back to the 1500's my father's family back to the 1700's all of which is so fascinating, trying to work out what traits and fancies we might all have inherited! Family names appear a lot, and also trades too... thank you again for sharing, all the best J

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    1. Hello janzi and welcome. I'm so glad you've enjoyed reading both my blogs. You have done well to trace your family back to the 1500s I seem to be stuck in the mid 18th century with most of my direct lines but have got a little further back with others - not as far as you though:)

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  9. I had no idea how much there was to see there. It looks fascinating.

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    1. It is quite fascinating, I was amazed at how much there was to see and there will be even more when the renovations are done:)

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  10. This looks a really interesting place and well worth a visit. Did you try on any of the hats? I wouldn't have been able to resist a chance to dress up:)

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    1. I didn't try on anything, Paul tried a wig and hat on but I was so amused he put the wig on back to front, I missed my chance as there was a family behind waiting to play with the costumes:)

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  11. Goodness - it's years since I visited Tamworth Castle. I'd completely forgotten how lovely it is. Thank you for prompting some memories. Jx

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    1. Glad to revive some memories for you - it certainly is lovely inside:)

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  12. Loved your photos and tour. I was amazed at all those brooms in the kitchen.

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    1. I wonder if the brooms will be used for their 'Halloween Haunted Castle' event?:)

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  13. Wow, so that's what it looks like inside! That's it, I really need to go check this out as it is far more impressive than I imagined. Just to let you know that although you did not win the 1st prize on my giveaway I decided to do a 2nd and 3rd place and your name came out 2nd so if you'd like to email me your details I shall put a little something in the post for you this week! x

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    1. Oh, do visit - they seem to have Christmas events happening if you look at the website. What a lovely surprise thank you very much - I will e-mail you my details:)

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