Oxburgh Hall (Castle)

I decided to refer to Oxburgh Hall as Oxburgh Castle to the girls because it looks rather castle like, is surrounded by a moat, and Castle is so much more intriguing than Hall. 

The girls love the idea of castles and even thought we would live in a castle once we arrived in England, and then of course they would be princesses (Tessa's plan).  I explained that although England has castles, we wouldn't live in one but we could go and visit some.  Somehow, we managed to go 6 months before we finally made it to our first castle (and it isn't even an actual castle!)  However, it was an exciting place to visit, and we had a beautiful morning to do it.

The entrance from the garden

A side view

The moat...I would not want to be in that water for ANY amount of time!

Tutu, Sophia, and Tessa on the bridge leading to the entrance

View from the roof

They were shooting cannons and Tessa is NOT fond of loud noises

This is part of the stairwell, perhaps leading to the Priest's Hole

A jousting game was set up outside for everyone to try

Tutu helped Tessa because it was difficult for her to run with the long stick and gather the rings.

The volunteers taught the girls how to play, then cheered them on!

Sophia could grab the rings...

and gallop back to the start!

Tessa started to get the hang of it.

"Congratulations!  You finished in second place, little sister!"

The house has its own church

The view from the other side of the Castle/Hall

More moat

The edge of the walled garden

Tessa (being silly), Sophia and I

Sophia in the garden

Knight Tessa and Princess Sophia

Knight Sophia and Princess Tessa

Knight Mommy...I didn't get to be a Princess

Another futile attempt at a decent photo of the three of us...Tessa was not cooperative.

Jousting champions Sophia and Tessa

Although Tessa never appears happy in the photos, we all had a great time.  I wondered if the girls might become bored while touring the inside of the castle, but we went quickly enough and there were plenty of things to see.  The Hall was built in the 15th century and although a few rooms were redecorated in the Victorian era, there was a Queen's room and a King's room still in the original 15th century style.  There were even clothes on display, which Tessa loved as the dresses were frilly and lacy. 

Through the King's room was a Priest's Hole, a small room that could only be accessed by going up some stairs, then climbing a few steps up, then through a tiny room, squeezing down a very small hole (feet first and then ducking your head), and into a very, very tiny room.  The room was tall enough for me to stand in and had two brick benches, but nothing else.  Tutu, Sophia, Tessa and I went in together and could barely all fit when standing up.  Scratch marks were made on the wall, as the Priests apparently were keeping track of the days they were there.  The room was used by the family to hide their Catholic Priests when those faithful to Catholicism were persecuted. 

Another interesting feature was the hidden entrance to the dining hall from the library.  Part of the wall opened and there was a 3-4 foot passageway between the rooms.  When closed, it looked like a regular wall with only one entrance/exit from the library and dining hall. 

Moat?  King and Queen's rooms?  Secret passageway?  Hidden room for priests?  Definitely deserves Castle status to us!