Tamworth Castle
AWARD-WINNING HERITAGE WHAT’S ON FEBRUARY – JUNE TOURS & BOOKINGS FOR GROUPS
900 YEARS
OF HISTORY AND A GREAT DAY OUT As you explore Tamworth Castle you can see for yourself the maze of intact rooms, halls and chambers that still echo with events from Saxon beginnings, Norman dynasties, Tudor grandeur and great family influences. Come and enjoy the all-year-round events and activities that keep families of all ages entertained and enthralled both inside the Castle and outside in the wonderful landscaped grounds alongside the River Tame.
Watc enjoy Lh and Hist iving re-enacory and tments
To BOOK OR Find out more: call 01827 709 581 / 618
Get your hands on some Living History
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Tamworth Castle really does bring history to life with fun re-enactments and superbly staged scenes from the past with regular Living History Days.
Did they really live like this? Why not ask them yourself as families and servants cook, entertain or eat in period-style right in front of you?
Watch servants create period style food
Active history doesn’t stop here! With a range of events happening during half-term and school holidays including children’s drop-in workshops – great fun & messy, they’ll love it!
Staffordshire Hoard
In 2011 Tamworth Castle hosted the sell-out exhibition of the key pieces of Saxon Gold when it returned home to the ancient capital of Mercia. Look out for more exhibitions coming this year and discover more about the Mercian Trail.
or visit: www.tamworthCASTLE.co.uk
Events Children’s Spring Half Term Art Workshops Monday 13th, Wednesday 15th and Friday 17th February 11.30am – 4.00pm
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Fun, drop-in art activities for 5-12 year olds. Come along and design and decorate your own Saxon-style brooch and warrior mask. The workshops last between 10 and 20 minutes and take place in the Castle’s Great Hall. Please note children must be accompanied by an adult. Price per child: 50p to pay when entering the Castle (or at activity point). This is in addition to Castle entrance charge. Castle Entrance: Half Term reduced rate: Adults / OAP / Concessions £4.50, Child (over 5) £2.50
The Tamworth Castle Mile – Sport Relief Sunday 25th March 9am – 3.00pm Tamworth Castle is one of hundreds of Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile events taking place across the country on Sunday 25th March. Whether you do 1, 3 or 6 miles – as a family team, with your mates or against the clock – have fun and help raise money for vulnerable people in the UK and around the world. 6 mile event starts at 10am, 3 mile event starts at 11am, 1 mile event starts at 12pm. Price Adults £6.00, Children £3.00, Family £15.00 Call 01827 709 581 or visit www.sportsrelief.com for more information or how to enter.
Easter Victorian Household Living History Sunday 8th and Bank Holiday Monday 9th April 11.30am – 4.45pm, last admission 4.00pm
Help the servants & housekeeper
History comes alive with this fun, family Living History experience where our Victorian housekeeper is strictly in charge.You get really close to all the household activity as the servants wait on their superiors for afternoon tea. Lots to see and do; join in to help the servants with their daily chores and hear the latest gossip! Entrance: Adults £6.50, OAP / Concessions £5.50, Child 5+ £4.00, Child 2-4 yrs £1.00, Child under 2 yrs free
To BOOK OR Find out more: call 01827 709 581 / 618
St George’s Day Medieval Extravaganza Saturday 21st April 11.30am – 4.45pm, last admission 4pm Action in the Castle Grounds starts at 10am. Join us to help celebrate St George’s Day as we combine events and activities all around the Castle and in the Castle Grounds. It’s a packed day of fun with live Living History re-enactments in the rooms, street entertainers, have-a-go archery, a family activity trail, a Grand Medieval Joust, The Black Knight & Sir Marmion in battle and Medieval Workshops. Castle Entrance: Adults £6.50, OAP / Concessions £5.50, Child 5+ £4.00, Child 2-4 yrs £1.00, Child under 2 yrs free Castle grounds event IS free
May Day Guided Tours Bank Holiday Monday 7th May
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Guided Tour Day Today, for the first time, the Castle is open for guided tours only. This is a great opportunity for you to join an experienced tour guide who will give you a personal tour through the Castle’s colourful and lively history. The hour-long tour has surprises and great stories from the Medieval, Tudor and Victorian past and really makes the most of your Castle visit. Demand on similar tours has been high as they are run at no extra cost; so book now to make sure you don’t miss out. Tours run every 20 mins from 11.30am to 3.40pm. Entrance: Adults £6.50, OAP / Concessions £5.50, Child 5+ £4.00 Child 2-4 yrs £1.00 Child under 2 yrs free
or visit: www.tamworthCASTLE.co.uk
Events A Tudor Murder Mystery set during the Henry VIII Reign
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Saturday 5th and Saturday 12th May 7.30pm – 11.00pm (approx)
A light hearted evening of plotting, suspense and comedy Tudor-style! Set in the Castle’s Great Hall you sit back with other guests and enjoy a three course meal while around you dramatic scenes take place and unfold a murder mystery. The Ferrers family are in high panic, preparing for the wedding of their son to the daughter of the noble Sanchez family. But all is not well; many are opposed to the impending nuptials. Can you help find the Murderer by questioning and probing the characters? Hugely popular, it really is an evening to remember – there’s even a small prize for the winning parties! The evening includes a three course meal and a limited cash bar is available throughout the night. Price: £29.50 No Concessions, Over16s: younger children admitted at parent’s discretion
Sports Festival Saturday 30th June 10.00am – 4.00pm It’s going to be an amazing year for sport in the UK and to celebrate this, and the news that Tamworth is on the official route for the Olympic Torch Relay, we are holding a series of sporting events and activities in the Castle Grounds. Come and join in, cheer the participants along or simply come and enjoy the occasion with all the supporting music, arts and other cultural attractions. Entrance: FREE EVENT
To BOOK OR Find out more: call 01827 709 581 / 618
Useful Information Group Visits Why not bring a group to one of our guided tours? Your costumed guide will bring the Castle’s colourful history to life, with tales of past owners and ghostly legends. For further details phone 01827 709 626.
Workshops for Schools The award winning Education Team provide a varied programme of workshops for Key Stage 1 to 4 students throughout the year, Monday – Friday. Contact the Education Team on 01827 709 632 Email: castleeducation@tamworth.gov.uk
Opening Times Summer Opening (New for Summer Season 2012) April 2012 to September 2012: Tuesday – Sunday 11.30am – 4.45pm (last admission 4.00pm) Winter Opening (New for Winter Season 2012) October 2012 to March 2013: Saturday and Sunday 12 noon – 4.15pm (last admission 3.30pm) Please phone to check as opening times may vary. We are open extra days for Schools and Bank Holidays. Dates of the start of the seasons may vary. Please telephone or check our website for details. We are open throughout the year to school parties.
Admission Prices Adults £6.50, Child 5+ £4.00, Child 2-4 yrs £1.00, Child under 2 yrs free, OAP / Consessions £5.50, Family Ticket £19.00 (2 Adults and 2 Children). Admission charges for special events and Bank holidays may vary.
Facilities Toilets on site, but disabled toilets in Ankerside Shopping Centre only. Gift shop available and café selling drinks and confectionary only.Visitors can exit the Castle to get food from local shops, and re-enter the Castle later. Large children’s play area in Castle grounds with tables available for picnics.
Access The Castle is reached via a steep slope. Interior tour includes many steps, narrow doorways and uneven floors. Ground floor access only for wheelchair users. Carer admitted free. Drop off point for people with disabilities, please telephone before visiting for assistance.
or visit: www.tamworthCASTLE.co.uk
How to find us Tamworth Castle is right in the heart of Tamworth town centre with easy access by road and rail. By Road From M1/M6 northbound take the M42 and exit at Junction 10. From the M6 southbound exit at Junction 12 and approach Tamworth via A5. By Rail The Castle is ten minutes walk from Tamworth station.
DERBYSHIRE EAST MIDLANDS AIRPORT
LEICESTERSHIRE
Tamworth Castle
Holloway Lodge, Tamworth, Staffordshire B79 7NA Telephone: 01827 709 626 (during opening hours) and 01827 709 629 (24hr message board). Email: heritage@tamworth.gov.uk Visit: www.tamworthcastle.co.uk
All details are correct at time of going to print but are subject to change at any time. Please contact 01827 709629 for up to date information on events, opening times and prices. Tamworth Borough Council reserve the right to close any part of the Castle or grounds without prior notice.