A different Weald
Comments |
You think you know a county and then you go to Chiddingstone
Castle. Helen Geraghty checked out one of the seven wonderful
attractions that form the Seven Wonders of the Weald.
The photo shoot to promote the new 'llama walks’ at beautiful
Chiddingstone Castle is in full swing and Paddy the fun-loving
llama is rather pleased with all the attention. We are all on a
steep llama learning curve, under threateningly stormy skies, in
the stunning grounds of this country house near Edenbridge.
Did you know, for example, that llamas make a humming sound,
with a different pitch depending on their mood?
Or that their infamous spitting is usually only at other llamas
in rows over food? They will only spit at people if they really,
really don’t like them.
Oh, and don’t be fooled by the dispassionate face; these members
of the camel family are known to have quite a sense of humour, as
can be seen in Paddy’s keen interest in both the camera and the
photographer.
If you have ever been charged a fortune for the privilege of
taking someone else’s pet for a walk – I was once quoted £50 for
“two people sharing a llama for one hour” – you might be pleased
that youngsters over three can take one of these out for a walk for
half an hour for just £7. And when did anyone ever want to do
anything for more than half an hour, anyway?
Once you have parked up your llama, a walk around the inside of
Chiddingstone Castle, is, honestly, a bit of a surprise too. This
property, dating back to 1550, is one of the Seven Wonders of the
Weald, who have banded together to offer a money-saving pass to
visitors.
Somewhat in the shadow of grandiose neighbour, Hever Castle,
poor cash-strapped Chiddingstone Castle was once ignominiously
turned down by the National Trust when eccentric collector Denys
Eyre Bower bequeathed it to them on his death in 1977.
But the High Court ordered the formation of a private trust to
run the castle – and nowadays to miss a peek around the stuff that
is packed into this self-effacing property really is to miss
out.
Tucked neatly into a box in the Stuart and Jacobite collection
is the heart of King James II, there are broadswords used in the
battle of Culloden and a drinks bill written to Bonnie Prince
Charlie.
Down the hall there’s an Egyptian collection. Take any
eight-year-old around here and, with ancient Egypt on the national
curriculum, they will know more than you about the mummified cat
and the 5,000-year-old funeral boat.
When it comes to Japan, Denys Bower knew just what he was
looking for and built up one of the finest collections of Japanese
lacquer in western Europe. This is not at all as dull as it sounds
and the Japanese room is home to some delicate and priceless boxes
made to look like shells as well as some tiny but fearsome Oriental
warrior statues. On a lighter note, children can dress up as
Japanese warriors here.
Denys Bower, who I forgot to mention was once banged up for
trying to murder his girlfriend, was also a Buddhist. His
collection of Buddhist artefacts is an astonishing round-up of
religious imagery from Tibet, India, Thailand and Sri Lanka.
But no little girl should be allowed to miss the cautionary
tales of the castle kitchen, where maids as young as eight would
have once worked for up to 13 hours a day. There is an ancient ice
box here, that would have been filled from the castle ice house,
and a loft for smoking bacon and ham that is lined with lead. Try
getting that past health and safety today.
You won’t have to push past the crowds for a quiet walk in the
35 acres of gardens here. There’s plenty of peace to go round at
the lake, the bridge, the rose garden and the large lawns for
children to run about.
Denys, a Buddhist to the last, was duly released from prison
after a miscarriage of justice was proven and returned to live in
his castle. He believed that he was the reincarnation of Bonnie
Prince Charlie and he enjoyed in equal measure, the company of
women and Rolls Royce cars.
But I think he would really have loved the llamas.
The seven wonders
Chiddingstone Castle is just one attraction that can be visited
with the Seven Wonders of the Weald pass, offering free and
discounted days out. The pass costs £39.95 and offers savings of
£145. It includes:
1. Chiddingstone Castle. Two free visits, saving £14.
2. Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest. Three free car
entries, saving £24.
3. Biddenden Vineyard. Free drink in cafe.
4. Marle Place Gardens and Gallery, Brenchley. Four free visits,
saving £22.
5. The Hop Farm Family Park, Paddock Wood. Two free visits,
saving £25.60.
6. Kent & East Sussex Railway, Tenterden. Three two-for-one
tickets, saving £40.50.
7. Merriments Gardens, Hurst Green. Four free visits, saving
£20.
For more information see www.sevenwonders.org.uk
Wednesday, July 13 2011
The KM Group does not moderate comments.
Please click here for our house rules.