Dark Towers facts for kids

Dark Towers is an exciting educational TV show from 1981. It was made by the BBC as part of their Look and Read series. This show was created to help primary school children improve their reading skills. Even today, many schools still use it! Some parts of the show were filmed at a real place called Sutton Court in Somerset, England.

The story follows two main characters: a brave girl named Tracey and a young lord named Edward. They team up to stop a sneaky group, led by Miss Hawk. This group wants to steal the valuable treasures hidden in Dark Towers.

Meet the Cast

The show features a talented group of actors who bring the characters to life:

• Juliet Waley as Tracey Brown
• Gary Russell as Lord Edward Dark
• David Collings as Lord Dark / The Friendly Ghost
• Christopher Biggins as Benger
• Harry Jones as Bunce
• Juliet Hammond (credited as Juliet Hammond-Hill) as Miss Hawk
• Peter Mayhew as The Tall Knight

The Story of Dark Towers

The series has ten parts, each revealing more of the mystery. Here's a quick look at the adventure:

The Mystery Begins

Tracey Brown and her dog, Towser, explore a garden and meet Lord Edward Dark. Tracey is looking for Towser, and her search leads her to Dark Towers. There, she meets Edward's father, Lord Dark. Tracey finds Towser barking at a picture on a wall. Suddenly, the picture comes to life! It warns that the house is in danger and that Tracey will save it. Edward and his father don't hear the voice.

Meeting the Ghost

Tracey and Edward soon meet two suspicious men, Benger and Bunce. They follow Towser to the Red Bedroom. There, they meet the Friendly Ghost, who is the man from the picture! The Friendly Ghost tells them an old legend about Dark Towers and its treasure. He also gives them a warning: "Beware of Two B's Buzzing Together. Beware of the Bird with the brown feather."

Following the Clues

A woman named Miss Hawk arrives and offers to help. Tracey and Edward find a clue that tells them to "Go where old wheels go round." This leads them to the Old Coach House. Tracey discovers that Benger and Bunce are actually crooks! She overhears their plans to steal the treasure.

Trouble for Tracey

Benger and Bunce trick Tracey by putting a small gold picture in her pocket. Lord Dark believes she's a thief and sends her away. Edward finds a torn piece of paper and asks the Friendly Ghost for help. He learns that Benger and Bunce are the "two B's" from the warning. The next clue leads them to the Tall Knight's Folly, where they meet the mysterious Tall Knight.

The Tall Knight's Riddles

The Tall Knight says he can only help if Tracey and Towser are there, as the legend needs a boy, a girl, and a dog. Luckily, Tracey and Towser return and join Edward. The Tall Knight then gives them another riddle: "go to the old library, and a gold key you will see, inside the inside of the Dark tree." Edward figures out that "Dark tree" means the Dark Family Tree. They find the final clue, which reads: "The knight's treasure will rest inside the inside of a studded chest."

The Truth About Miss Hawk

Edward asks his father about a studded chest, and his father says there's one in the Old Tower. Miss Hawk overhears this. The Friendly Ghost warns Edward again: "Beware of the bird with the brown feather," adding, "the hawk who hunts treasure." Edward realizes Miss Hawk is the "bird" and a villain!

Edward and Tracey rush to the Old Tower and open the chest with the key. It's empty! Benger, Bunce, and Miss Hawk arrive. Bunce tries to kidnap Tracey, but the Tall Knight saves her!

The Final Confrontation

Bunce runs back to Dark Towers. Miss Hawk, who is holding Edward captive, has her own spooky encounter with the Friendly Ghost. Edward now knows Miss Hawk wants the Golden Book of the Tall Knight for herself. The Friendly Ghost scares Miss Hawk away. The bad guys find the Golden Book hidden in the lid of the empty chest. The Friendly Ghost tries to summon the Tall Knight.

The Last Laugh

Tracey returns to Dark Towers as night falls, meaning the Tall Knight will soon appear. She convinces Lord Dark she is innocent, and he calls the police. Miss Hawk grabs the Golden Book and tries to escape as the house goes dark. Benger and Bunce follow her.

As Tracey, Towser, Edward, and Lord Dark come out of the house, the Tall Knight arrives! He frightens the bad guys, who are then arrested. As the darkness lifts, Tracey gives Lord Dark the Golden Book. The Tall Knight vanishes, but strange sounds like laughter fill the house. The ghosts of Dark Towers are having the last laugh!