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Lost Castles Lost Castles

The six boroughs

Knowsley

Elsinore Castle from Shakespeare’s Hamlet was the model for the Knowsley build, constructed at the entrance to Knowsley Safari.

Volunteers raising the Lost Castles cardboard structure in Knowsley
Volunteers raising the Knowsley build by hand.

What was built

Celebrating the Elizabethan and Jacobean heritage of Knowsley, the structure took its inspiration from Elsinore Castle, which features in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. It was constructed at the entrance to Knowsley Safari, with the castle walls built entirely by local people.

Venue
Knowsley Safari Park
Built
From Friday 10 August
Toppled
Sunday, 4pm

What happened on the Saturday

Hamlet’s Castle of Cosmic Creatures came to life around the walls of the castle. Visitors met the castle’s jester and watched the black raven fly around the grounds. Giant Elizabethan puppets roamed the site, and two smoke breathing dragons swooped and soared overhead.

Cardboard craft workshops kept children entertained, while local choirs and musicians celebrated the rich culture, heritage and history of Elizabethan Knowsley against the backdrop of the castle.