Somewhere hidden behind or around the castle but I'm damned if I can be more specific is a hilarious and unadvertised museum of handmade miniature objects. Some loony hirsute Russian chappie made them and they include a tiny foil choo-choo mounted on a hair, a horseshoe and locket attached to a flea, a picture of Jesus on a seasme seed, and a 3-D model of the Tour Eiffel on a bisected cherry stone. Among other delights. You amble around peering through magnifiers and are quite simply left agog. There was noone else in there at all the day I went (high season, the old town was thick with tourists) and it does not seem to feature on any of the brochures. Perhaps I'm making it up. But, I'm not. Sorry this is so vague, but I thought it worth posting even so, as in retrospect it was a true highlight.
Hardcastle area
Ruskin is quite right. The museum is further up the hill, at the top by the monastery. (As you go through the gate right at the top of the hill, instead of turning left to the monastery turn right). It is fantastic - I particularly loved the Eiffel Tower and a train of camels inside the eye of a needle. Presumably the Russian chappie had a serious amount of time on his hands ... Anyway, it's a real hoot. I have brought back the CD of exhibits (about £2) to bore my friends with as sadly they don't do postcards. It was deserted when we went there, what a shame that more people aren't enjoying it! I stumbled across this little gem when in Prague too, even though it only takes about 15 minutes to see all the contents I still recommend it to people going to Prague! It has a website with a little map of how to find it for those interested: www.muzeumminiatur.com
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