We had unfinished business at Shugborough Hall, so travelled up there again last weekend, and, because it was a bank holiday, found plenty of 'characters' in period costume wandering about (see above - I wasn't too sure about the Regency sunglasses!)
As the sign at the entrance (below) proclaimed, these people 'think they live in the 1800s... ask them about their lives but remember, they do not know anything about the 21st century, so please spare them any questions that assume such knowledge'.
What fun! My boyfriend, who dreads the close proximity of people 'acting', was not so convinced, but we nevertheless had a good chat with the Miller who showed us the impressive working mill which grinds two types of flour: wholemeal for the workers and a fine version, sieved through silk, for the aristocracy. The ducks looked a bit worried as the level of the mill pond outside dipped, but he explained that the water pressure prevented him from draining it completely. I'll post something on Shugborough's Walled Garden shortly.
4 comments:
Oh how fun! The sign is priceless too!
I've got to say, overheard conversations amongst the 'characters' were definitely of a 21st century nature, though the group in the top picture did at least greet one another with genteel bows.
Hahaha!
That sounds like a lot of fun! Reminds me of Plymouth Plantation (in Plymouth, Mass). I've never been, but everyone I know who has says that it's creepy because the actors never break character. Sorry to hear they aren't as strict about it at Shudborough. The costumes look good, not so much like the ones museum staff wear in Canada, where they just buy a flower-print blouse at a department store and wear an apron and think that's 18th century.
Post a Comment