Naworth Castle - its private and public sides

           

           

Hello, to all the patient fans of GREEN DARKNESS. We are still on track, looking for a producer to take the adaptation to the next step toward a film.

We have also been trying to get a response from Naworth Castle. After many attempts, we have done some research of our own. 

In the absence of a Q & A  with the present owners of Naworth Castle, let's talk about the location in part III of our series of GREEN DARKNESS locations.

Naworth Castle, known as "Naward" in historical documents, traces its origins back to the late 1200s or 1335 depending on the source your reference. In GREEN DARKNESS it is located in Scotland, but today it's officially listed as being in Cumbria, England, a mere 10 miles from today's Scottish Border.

 
Ownership of the 2,000 acre estate changed hands several times over the 700 years of its existence, starting with the Baron Dacre. The present owner Philip Howard is the 13th Earl of Carlisle, one in a long line of Earls.

This romantic stronghold is not open to the public as a day-to-day hotel, but exclusive overnight stays can be arranged for a minimum of 10-18 people who will stay in the bedrooms in the Dacre, Morpeth, and Lord William's towers and the courtyard rooms.

Tours can also be arranged to see the 2 pre-Raphaelite libraries, Medieval dungeons, Great Hall, and Lord William's bedchamber. Philip Howard will serve as your guide. Weddings performed at the estate have been scaled back since 2002 when it reverted to being just a private home. That said, official ceremonies have still been known to happen at Naworth from April - September.

Films and TV productions have used Naworth as a shooting location since the 1980s. The castle's medieval exterior and grounds need little or no dressing for period pieces, as does the adjoining walled garden with its 17th century feel. The 20 rooms in the west wing have been stripped down to the original stonework, making them perfect for authentic, interior sets. 

We wonder what Anya Seton would think of Naworth Castle in the light of today's ongoing improvements -- something tells us, she might have had her characters spend more time at this grand estate.

It looks like a wonderfully atmospheric location. Don't you agree?

Till next time~~
Marla and Angela

GREEN DARKNESS Locations Alive Today

GREEN DARKNESS takes place in locations that are still around today!

Angela and I have been busy contacting the owners and/or managers of the four most prominent sites in GREEN DARKNESS ( Cowdray Castle, Naworth Castle, Ightham Mote and the Spread Eagle Tavern) to see what life is like at those locations in our modern times.

First to respond to our inquiry was Becky Taylor from the Estate Office of Cowdray Heritage Trust.

She prefaced her answers to our questions by saying: "I believe that Anya Seton stayed at the Spread Eagle Hotel in Midhurst while she was researching Green Darkness, and the hotel is still open to the public. It’s a beautiful old building.  St Ann’s Hill, which is also mentioned frequently in the novel, is still much as it has always been, and is accessible by a footpath leading from the ruins where the bridge crosses the river Rother." Becky went on to say, "While Cowdray is disappointingly free of  'spooky goings on' it is very beautiful and atmospheric, and I can completely understand why Anya Seton found it inspiring."

Now for our short Q & A e-interview with Becky...

Q: How many visitors come to Cowdray Castle during the months it is open (June through to September)?

A: The opening this year is very different to previous years, when the site was open five days a week from March to October. This year we have only been able to open for 28 days. By the time we close on 1st September I would think visitor numbers would be about 1,000, not including the guests of the three weddings held at Cowdray this year.

Q: Of those, how many make mention of the novel GREEN DARKNESS and/or its author Anya Seton?

A: I don’t think many of our visitors come here because of the novel (or at least they don’t admit to it), but a lot of them notice it for sale in our gift shop and ask about the connection. Many of them have very fond memories of reading it when it was first published.

Q: Are any of those visitors doing a tour of the other Sussex locales mentioned in that novel?

A: Occasionally a visitor will mention visiting Ightham Mote.

Q: We see that you close to tourists on September 1st -- do you still open at the end of October specifically to hold Halloween festivities at Cowdray Castle? If so, tell us about that night's events.

A: No, there are no Halloween Festivities at Cowdray. [online research shows that such activities used to be held at Cowdray. See the following link for info and good picture of Cowdray... http://www.frightnights.co.uk/home/index.php?cid=1841#.UhPHssu9KSM ]

Q: How many ghosts have been recorded as residing at Cowdray? and who do you suspect they were while they were alive?

A: There are no regular ghost sightings at Cowdray, which is generally a very peaceful and happy place. There have been reports of ghostly figures over the years, including a lady in one of the first floor windows and a pale figure in the surrounding woods, but I have to admit that I have yet to be convinced that there is anything there. As far as we can tell there were never any suspicious deaths at Cowdray, and no one was killed in the fire that destroyed the building in 1793.

Q: Can you tell us of any strange or unusual events that have happened at Cowdray since it reopened in 2007?

A: Occasionally some dogs have shown reluctance to enter the Tudor kitchen, but others are perfectly happy. Maybe it’s the change in temperature that they don’t like! We have in the past had paranormal investigation companies holding events at Cowdray, but I’m afraid I don’t know the results of those investigations.

Q: Please give us your official website so GREEN DARKNESS fans, who cannot get to England, can take a virtual tour of the majestic ruins of Cowdray Castle.

A: www.cowdray.org.uk

That is the latest for this blog. As I said earlier, if the locations respond, we will have more Q & A blogs coming in the near future.

Meanwhile, if you would like to read about specific locations or have questions you want to ask about GREEN DARKNESS locations, comment us!

Until next time --
Marla & Angela