Fantastic weather over the Easter period, with temperatures rising to 20°C and sunny skies, brought out over 25,000 visitors to enjoy what the castle had to offer. The main attraction was the dragon in his cave, skilfully created by Dallas. Maid Marion and her trusty knights and maids handed out Easter eggs to those children who had successfully completed the trail (even those who managed it in magic writing only visible to Marion) that led to the dragon’s den. A Punch and Judy show, Falconry display and craft area were also on offer. The crafts were, as always, popular and dragon masks, hats and helmets adorned the heads of the children on their way home after an exciting day out.
First clue on the trail – the daffodils
James carrying out the second clue: feeding the water fowl in the duckery
The third clue: draw the hat
Another clue: how many tombstones can you find?
Dragon scales - yet another clue
Dragon eggs - this time in the Culpepper garden
The dragon, Melissa, in her cave guarding her eggs. In the foreground a dragon skull
She was also guarding a treasure
Melissa created a lot of smoke and ...
... rears up: perhaps scenting intruders
Other denizens of the cave: a jet-black spider almost invisible in the back of the cave ...
... and two slinking rats trying to steal Melissa's eggs
Dallas, Melissa’s creator, with three young Easter egg distributors
Maid Marion finds Melissa friendly
Maid Marion with her trusty knight
Crafts on offer
Hard work behind the scenes ...
... for all the staff