I did not find it quite as you did, Di, but I suppose we all see different things. In years gone by you could touch anything, but these days it is a different story. For instance, the wooden chairs - I don't know how old they are, but just imagine how they would be if 30,000 bums sat on them each year. Over the years they have found out what damages things and those things are now forbidden, therefore they will be saved and on show for longer. We collect antiques, my dining chairs are almost 200 years old (made 1815-1820), and I would just die at the thought of them being sat on by all and sundry - it would seriously undermine their integrity. I was a little disappointed with the kitchen at Aston Hall though. I remember (I think) a table with brass and copper stuff on but perhaps it was another house I saw that in, as I do a lot of stately home visiting. I found there was much more information than there used to be, to read and learn about things, and the learning aspect for children is excellent. Where else can a child have a piece of cast iron, marble, concrete, etc, and get to feel them, know where they came from, and understand the individual uses? My nine year old grandson felt it was a fantastic way to learn about things and to be able to feel them, and know where they fitted in with the structure of the house. Each time I have been it has changed, I think I probably go about every 8 or 10 years, but this time I want to go back sooner so I can do more reading, but this time without two children in tow.