A NEW discovery centre opened at Castle Drogo on Monday. The centre helps explain what is happening in the restoration project at the castle, and its design has been inspired by the original huts used on the site from 1911. The replica features interactive displays that illustrate the way the castle was built and why it is now in need of repair. Visitors will be able to ?meet? three characters who have been involved in the building and upkeep of the castle when life-sized artist?s impressions of the architect Edwin Lutyens, the original castle owner Anthony Drewe and the current building supervisor greet them. The characters explain the history of the castle, why certain materials were chosen and what is being done to solve the problems of water ingress. Children young and old will be able to use wooden blocks to work out how to rebuild the chapel bell tower that has been temporarily dismantled to enable the roof to be repaired. There will be quizzes and a family trail ? which features the real toad that used to live near the castle wine cellar and an invitation to spot the dampest place. Toads are used as markers pointing the way to the new site hut, named after staff working at the castle. The restoration work will take eight years, having already taken 10 years to reach this point. Local designers and craftsmen have been involved from the outset. l There will be a Halloween Trail at the castle from Saturday to Tuesday, October 31 from 11am to 5pm, and a children?s woodland sculpture workshop on Friday, October 27.