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Are all adjectives used by Castle visitors to describe what they experienced. Other phrases in the visitors' book are: "Excellent in every way"… "Really worth the visit"... "Great place to spend the afternoon"... "Fascinating and very informative"... "Superb exhibition"... "Very well presented"... "Splendid place" and "Delightful castle"... "We enjoyed it very much!!" Continental expressions included: "Stupendo"... "tres fantastique" and "tres interessant". The Castle is blessed with apartments from almost every century from the twelfth to the twentieth and is open to visitors all year round. It has had, for many years, a fine collection of 16th - 19th century furniture on loan from the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, in addition to the Castle's own collections. Fifteen rooms are open to visitors including a Great Hall, Dungeon, Haunted Bedroom and permanent exhibition on Norman Castles. The Tamworth Story, an interactive local history exhibition, opened in 1996. For many the most exciting features are the Living Images also known as "Talking Heads". Three of these high-tech, figures have been skillfully incorporated into the overall interpretation of the Grade 1 listed building which also boasts a fascinating collection of original artifacts in fully furnished period room settings.
Set in an attractive park with magnificent floral terraces and a garden for blind and disabled people, the Castle dominates the center of Tamworth. Within sight of the shopping centre, the Castle Pleasure Grounds extend for a considerable distance along the banks of the River Anker where at certain times the numbers of swans can reach over 100. The Pleasure Grounds have a bowling green, six tennis courts, a picnic area and two adventure playgrounds. Close by is the Snow Dome: one of Europe's real indoor snow slopes. |
Looking across the River Anker