No castle is complete without a dragon, and Tattershall has plenty in the mini form of the Great Crested Newt.

Welcome to the newt hotel

Tattershall Castle is home to the biggest colony of Great Crested Newts in the East Midlands.

© National Trust

The newts like to hibernate in the cracks in the Castle's bricks. They are a protected species and while work is going on to restore the Castle's inner moat contractors have to ensure the colony is carefully looked after.

When discovered, the newts are removed to newly created newt ‘hotels’. These are artificially created cave and crevice-like structures built in safe areas of the Castle. The newts are placed in them out of harm’s way while restoration work goes on.

And to guarantee that the newts are always in safe hands, contractors on the site have been trained by a licensed specialist to identify, handle and move them without harm.