Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2007 | Page 13

OUT AND ABOUT

the heart of island
life, and central to
its defence, since
Saxon times. It was
famously acted as
the prison to King
Charles I before his
trial and execution
in London. The
room from which he
tried to escape – his
bid for freedom
ended when he got
stuck in the window
– is still on view to
visitors.
The castle also
houses interactive
exhibitions and a
museum, tracing
the castle’s history and visitors
can also see the excavation work
currently underway to reveal the
castle’s medieval garden.
Star attraction are the resident
donkeys, which have worked the
wheel in the castle’s well-house
since the 17th century. Today

Island Life - www.islandlife.tv

life

they turn the wheel for just a
short time each day and visitors
can find out a little about their
day-to-day care at the Donkey
Centre, with its three stables and
hands-on exhibition.

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