Continuing on from my last post I ventured inside! There was nothing to say that one could, I just assumed! Like wise this lovely doorway (Left) I made the image, went up the stairs, door locked, not the way in! Another door, around the corner equally not marked was indeed the way in. Then a change of tone. A beautiful interior. Warm helpful staff, in fact they all were, the staff I encountered were fine, it’s just the “visitor experience” is such that I got the impression they’d just opened to the public and were finding their feet! Rather than a tourist attraction that’s been open for 47 years! Anyway – inside a interesting, good, self guided tour that shows the mostly Victorian interior.
The main hall above is dominated by two horses clad in armour. Most of what is shown is replica, but there are a few actual historic pieces here and there. I was photographing with my Canon EOS 30 and the 40mm STM, on Kodak Tri-X, available light. I was pleased with what I got!
The figures were outstanding, in fact in the first room (below left), I rather rudely stared at the woman, impressed with how still she stayed, I waited for her to move and start her “performance”, it must have been a good 30 seconds before I realised she was in fact a mannequin – they were that good!
After I got home I read that the Castle was in fact sold to the “Madame Tussauds Group” in 1978, which explains why these figures are amongst the best I’ve seen. I was duly impressed. After wandering the house I was now enjoying my visit, and decided to visit “Ye Olde Costa Coffee”, in the basement. After a latte and a Panini, I followed the exit sign, amazed that there was one, of course that was locked and I had to retrace my steps back through the queue waiting to be served!
S.H.O.U.T. 