Medieval tent to greet visitors at Shropshire hall
It's a tent – but you wouldn't find this one in Millets.
This is the latest venture by the owner of Shropshire's Upton Cressett Hall William Cash.
The tent is an authentic replica of the knightly pavilions used at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485.
William and his wife Lady Laura commissioned the tent from Mudford & Sons in Nottingham, which has been making jousting field tents for 175 years.
The pavilion now stands centre-stage on the moat lawn where Shakespeare plays are also hosted.
The canvas has been painted with the Upton Cressett red and white sea-dragon colours by the Jerwood Prize winning artist Adam Dant, who also completed the murals in the hall.
Mr Cash said: "We have erected a beautifully painted medieval tea pavilion for serving home-made cake and teas, and Shropshire ice-cream made by Laura.
"Adam has a solo show at the Louvre next year, so for him to paint a tent is quite unusual.
"Our new tea pavilion is far removed from Glastonbury style camping.
"We are also offering it as an overnight experience for guests who book our Elizabethan gatehouse, often likened to the Sissinghurst Tower. We call it "medieval glamping"."
The tent will be open over the August Bank Holiday weekend, along with the hall, gatehouse and new gardens.
Guided tours by Mr Cash or his father, Stone MP Sir Bill Cash, will take place across the entire weekend, including Monday, at 2.30pm and 3.30pm.
Teas, homemade cake and ice-cream, and strawberries will be served in the new pavilion. Admission will cost £10 to include the tour, homemade cake and tea.
For further information visit www.uptoncressetthall.co.uk or call (01746) 714616.
