Welcome to Tutbury Castle's Website

Dear Friends,

Daffodils and Vikings seem an odd mix and yet both are usually seen here at the Castle as we throw open our doors for the Easter opening. We are all eager for blue skies and warm sunshine, all promised for the new season ahead.

Winter has not been quiet in terms of party bookings and the last few weeks have been a battle of paint brushes and bees wax as we decorate and spring clean. We all wonder if we could do with a holiday.

Filming for “Most Haunted” and the research involved both for the series and the “live” have pushed us pretty hard but all so exciting. I really enjoy being a new member of the Series team and hope I don’t shock too many of you!

Our dig results have now come in from tests of “finds” made last year in the final part of our archaeological investigation. I am delighted to confirm the huge kiln we found in the first bailey was, indeed, Roman and it was used to fire pottery, not glass, as some thought. Lots more to be reported yet and the Castle is giving up its historical treasure with each new report that arrives from the University.

I still have lots of diners and schools arriving to see Elizabeth 1 st and Mary Queen of Scots as well as our magnificent Henry VIII. In the late summer Ann Hathaway will be my new character. There is little known about Shakespeare’s wife but I hope to throw a new light on her.

We are honoured to have won the “Young Historians” visit in May. There are a lot of exciting heritage sites in England but we have been chosen – I am delighted as are the rest of my talented and hardworking team.

We all look forward to welcoming you to the 2008 season.

Lesley Smith
Curator

P.S. Look out for our new arrival – a dragon!