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Children’s illustrator Emma Metcalfe will bring Castle Howard to life for a whole new generation when her Riddle Trail is launched in time for Easter on Friday 2nd April 2010.
The Hon Simon and Mrs Howard were particularly interested in this commission because of their children, eight year-old twins Merlin and Octavia.
“We know at first-hand how hard it can be to keep everybody happy on a day out with young children,” said Rebecca Howard. “We’d thought for a long time that it would be helpful to have a fun children’s trail around the grounds. We watch so many parents being dragged straight off to the adventure playground!
“Our new trail will give the grown-ups the chance to see the gardens and grounds while the children have fun discovering the clues along the way.”
Although only 23, Sheffield-based artist Emma has built up a reputation for bringing historical buildings to life. Her previous commissions include work for English Heritage and HMS Warrior, the Portsmouth-based pride of Queen Victoria’s fleet.
Her biggest challenge was fitting the house and grounds onto the A3-sized piece of paper.
“The blank piece of paper looks massive when you start,” said Emma. “But once you’ve drawn in a building the size of Castle Howard it made the rest of it very hard work.
“At first I was a bit worried that the Howard family would say ‘you’ve missed off a chimney or a window’ but the feedback has been fantastic.
“Although my brief was to capture children’s imaginations, I’ve also looked at it from an adult point of view. While older children may well do the trail themselves, for those with younger ones it gives plenty of interesting views and statues for parents to also enjoy. I like the idea of whole families working their way around it.”
The Riddle Trail also heralds the launch of a new children’s mascot for Castle Howard. Emma has taken the lion from the family’s coat of arms and incorporated him into the map.
“He’s called Geoffrey, which is a Howard family name,” explains Emma. “Those that look closely will be able to spot him in various places on the map. One of my favourites is him coming down the slide in the adventure playground…”
All young visitors to Castle Howard will receive a free Riddle Trail and it is just one of the many free activities available for families to enjoy over the Easter Weekend between Friday 2nd and Monday 5th April 2010. Other attractions include Victorian fairground rides, an Easter Egg Hunt with the Easter Bunny, face painting and a parading Dixie Jazz band.
To find out what's on at Easter click here or plan your visit.
If you would like to hear more about our new riddle trail follow the link below.
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/video/Get-lost-at-Castle-Howard.6190014.jp
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