Newark Castle

Newark Castle is in a geographical sense a rather rediscovered treasure - the giant cranes and sheds of the Clyde's great shipyards previously obscured it from the townscape, but now it is visible in all it's historical glory dominating the scene once more! The Lords of Maxwell House (no, not the coffee) built and / or arranged every element of the place up until 1694 from which time it's largely remained untouched, or at least very sympathetically renovated, so you've got a lovely traditional feel to the whole thing that's bound to get little imaginations going!

Less lovely is the history of Sir Patrick Maxwell himself who was frankly a murderous sort that may interest the more bloodthirsty munchkins! Not only did he do away with neighbours but also reportedly beat his own wife (Lady Margaret Crawford) with the flat of a sword and at one point locked her in her chamber for 6 months with only bread and water! Sir Patrick's own mother campaigned against him for his mistreatment of his wife to no avail, but over 44 years of marriage during which she sired 16 of his children she finally escaped him in secret across the Clyde to Dumbarton where she lived the rest of her life.

Highlights include the exquisite Jacobean exteriors, the intact Servants' Quarters below stairs which give you a sound (though perhaps unsettling) idea of the working life of the house's workers, and the Little Chamber: a 16th century boudoir with original fittings and fixtures including wall paneling, painted ceiling and a rather sneaky bed, for the era!