The Games That We Play

FANCY a game of hide and seek with the children this summer?

What d’you mean no! Of course you do, which is why you’ll be heading to Aydon Castle on the outskirts of Corbridge.

Admittedly, the 13th century manor house was not originally built as a children’s play area.

But with an excess of nooks and crannies in the ancient building, how could anyone resist hiding in a cubby hole before jumping out to surprise the family with a medieval war cry?

To start your game you won’t go far wrong by heading straight to the inner courtyard.

March up the steps towards the hall, noting along the way an old roofline cut into the wall.

You’ve got a choice now. Turn left and you’re in the hall, once a communal living room and sleeping space for everyone except the Lord of Aydon’s immediate family.

It was here where people were entertained. They used to sit at a long table and tuck into a meat stew while listening to the minstrels in the gallery.

The only problem is, there aren’t too many hiding places, although you can always sit in the lord’s chair at the head of the table and pretend to be a dummy.

If you’d have turned right at the top of the steps, you’d have had more luck in the kitchen – the 14th century fireplace is worth trying out.

The fireplace is big enough to conceal more than one person because, just like modern-day chefs, medieval cooks had to prepare several things at once.

Cauldrons of soups and stews were usually top of the menu rather than a whole ox stuck on a spit.

Slabs of bread soaked up the gravy and everything was washed down with home brewed ale. Everyone drank proper beer in those days instead of tasteless keg lager.

A doorway in the corner of the kitchen leads to the wall walk – no good hiding places here, but inquisitive adults will enjoy the bird’s-eye views of the outer courtyard, curtain walls and orchard. Look closer and admire the finely-made battlements which alternate with arrow slits.

At the end of the wall walk you’ll notice a double lancet window on the north-facing wall in front of you. The bearded fellow above the twin light windows is likely to be God – evidence that the window was carved for a chapel that was never built.

If the children have had enough of hide and seek by now, extra entertainment is often put on during the season, ranging from re-enactments of Tudor life to theatre shows.

Bring a picnic and eat it in the orchard where tables are laid out under the shadow of the trees. This used to be the kitchen garden.

From there, you can walk through a doorway for a stroll around the outside walls of the castle.

Aydon Castle – an English Heritage property – is open from April 1 to September 30, Thursday to Monday, 10am-5pm.

(Hexham Courant - 23 April 2007)