Autumn/Winter 2016 Attractions

ATTR ACTIONS In touch with our customers

AUTUMN/WINTER 2016

CELEBR ATING 30 YEARS OF GLOBAL RECOGNITION

INSPIRING DAYS OUT FOR GROUPS

Stay up to date with our most popular properties.

IN THIS ISSUE:

PAGE 3 Darwin’s Bedroom Opens More of Darwin’s personal life revealed at Down House

PAGE 4 Planning Ahead A round up of site improvements to come and their impact on group visits Corbridge Roman Town

Both Hadrian’s Wall and Stonehenge were among the country’s first natural and man-made wonders to be given UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

Today there are 30 World Heritage Sites in the UK and 1,052 worldwide. They have all been awarded this status by UNESCO on account of their outstanding international importance.

Stonehenge marked its 30th anniversary as a World Heritage Site this autumn, but Hadrian’s Wall joined this elite band of special places in

1987. So in 2017, our sites will join other attractions along the Wall in an exciting wall-wide exhibition called ‘Hadrian’s Cavalry’.

The anniversary year will also see the start of major improvement projects at two of our most significant Roman sites – Birdoswald Roman Fort and Corbridge Roman Town.

PAGE 6 Improvements at Stonehenge Big benefits in store for groups

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A TRIBUTE TO ROMAN HORSEMEN Rome’s legendary cavalry regiments played a crucial role in protecting its imperial power 2,000 years ago and guarding Hadrian’s Wall, its most northern frontier, from invasion.

A six-month exhibition running from 8 April to 10 September 2017, marks the status of Hadrian’s Wall as a World Heritage Site and pays tribute to the skill of the cavalry during the Roman occupation. It takes place across ten Hadrian’s Wall attractions, including three at English Heritage sites – Corbridge Roman Town; Chesters Roman Fort and Museum; and Housesteads Roman Fort.

Making it a perfect time for your group to visit Hadrian’s Wall, the ‘Hadrian’s Cavalry’ exhibition features a range of remarkable and finely decorated Roman cavalry objects including helmets and ornate armour. Alongside objects from Hadrian’s Wall, there will be many on loan from major international museums - including the British Museum - and from private collections, all on display together for visitors to see for the first time.

There are also plans for a series of Roman-themed re-enactments and events at attractions across the whole 150-mile length of the World Heritage Site. The highlight event will take place in Carlisle, Cumbria on 1 and 2 July. The Turma, or Troop, will see 30 Roman cavalrymen come together to perform training exercises described by Hadrian himself in one of the largest Roman cavalry re-enactments ever seen.

All details about ‘Hadrian’s Cavalry’, including tickets for The Turma, will be on www.hadrianscavalry.co.uk from early 2017.

IMPROVEMENTS AHEAD AT HADRIAN’S WALL During 2017 and early 2018, we will be carrying out major improvement work at both Birdoswald Roman Fort and Corbridge Roman Town.

At Corbridge, the museum will be closed from September 2017 but groups can continue to enjoy the rest of the site, including the Roman town remains, while the work takes place.

The whole site will close in November and December 2017.

From May 2017, the admissions point, shop and tearoom at Birdoswald will be moving in order for us to improve the visitor facilities. Groups will still be able to explore the fort and ruins.

Work at both sites is expected to be completed in March 2018.

Birdoswald Roman Fort, Gilsland, Brampton, Cumbria CA8 7DD Tel: + 44 (0)1697 747602 Email: birdoswald.romanfort@ english-heritage.org.uk www.english-heritage.org.uk/ birdoswald

Chesters Roman Fort

Chesters Roman Fort, Chollerford, Humshaugh, Hexham, Northumberland NE46 4EU Tel: + 44 (0)1434 681379 Email: chester.romanfort@ english-heritage.org.uk www.english-heritage.org.uk/ chestersromanfort Corbridge Roman Town, Corbridge, Northumberland NE45 5NT Tel: + 44 (0)1434 632349 Email: corbridge.romantown@ english-heritage.org.uk www.english-heritage.org.uk/ corbridgeromantown Housesteads Roman Fort, Haydon Bridge, Northumberland NE47 6NN Tel: + 44 (0)1434 344363 Email: housesteads.fort@ english-heritage.org.uk www.english-heritage.org.uk/ housesteadsromanfort

Cavalry action will be a highlight event

(See pages 80-85 of the Groups Visits Guide 2017/18)

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MORE OF CHARLES DARWIN’S PERSONAL LIFE REVEALED Down House in Kent was Charles Darwin’s beloved family home for 40 years.

It was close to London, yet far enough away to provide a retreat where he could find inspiration to develop his ideas and scientific research.

The Victorian home offers your group a flavour of both Darwin’s daily work as well as his family life. His object-packed study, where he wrote his revolutionary book On the Origin of Species, and other family rooms look much as they did when he lived here. And now groups can also enter into his most intimate room - the bedroom he shared with his wife Emma for 20 years until he died there in 1882.

More than a century since it was dismantled and dispersed, the room has been brought back to life by our curators, who have carefully researched and recreated his bedroom to closely match its late 1850s appearance. Thanks to their attention to detail, it is easy to imagine the presence of his imposing

figure relaxing in the room which became his refuge when suffering from poor health or when the house was full of guests.

The room was originally only used by Emma as she weaned and looked after seven of their ten infant children. Darwin eventually joined her in around 1858, following the death of their last child at just two years old. Now visitors can imagine the couple in private as a soundscape recreates Emma reading to her husband as she did most afternoons, often indulging his fondness for light romantic fiction.

English Heritage Curator, Sarah Moulden, said: “Darwin may have travelled the world but Down House is where he did

his thinking and writing. On the Origin of Species would not have existed were it not for the rooms, the landscape and the gardens at Down. But Darwin’s bedroom and its recreation reveal a more personal side to the great scientist.”

This added new dimension to both the visitor’s experience of the site and understanding of the scientist make it well worth booking a group visit.

The Home of Charles Darwin Down House, Luxted Road, Downe, Kent BR6 7JT Tel: + 44 (0)1689 859119 www.english-heritage.org.uk/downhouse (See pages 24-25 of the Groups Visits Guide 2017/18)

NEW TOURS EXCLUSIVELY FOR GROUPS AT THE ‘GEM OF THE NORTH’

Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens in Northumberland boasts a stunning and unusual 20-acre heritage garden. With some intriguing features, it’s one of England’s greatest garden treasures.

Its rare and exotic plants, famous quarry garden and unique mix of historic buildings spanning four centuries, have always been a big draw for group days out. And now your group can also enjoy an exclusive guided tour with Head Gardener Sarah-Jo Harrigan, who knows every inch of the gardens. Her dad was head gardener before her and together

they lovingly restored the gardens before he retired. Adapted to match the seasons, garden tours with Sarah-Jo cost £5 per person or just £11 with a delicious afternoon tea in the Victorian Kitchen Tearoom included (prices in addition to normal discounted group admission). You can also book your group onto a free tour of the Greek Revival Hall.

Pre-book both tours by contacting the site.

Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens, Belsay, Nr. Ponteland, Northumberland NE20 0DX Tel: + 44 [0]1661 881636 Email: belsay.hall@english-heritage.org.uk www.english-heritage.org.uk/belsay (See page 88 of the Groups Visits Guide 2017/18)

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PLANNING AHEAD

We know how important it is for you to have the most up-to-date information about improvements at our historic attractions. Not only so that you can take account of scheduled work while planning your visit, but also to make sure your groups don’t miss out on enjoying the new improvements. So here’s a round-up of the exciting transformations taking place at some of our sites - offering better group access and enhanced experiences.

FR AMLINGHAM CASTLE GETS MORE FOR GROUPS Topping the list is work we are doing this winter at Framlingham Castle, close to the well-known towns of Aldeburgh and Southwold on the Suffolk coast.

Up until now we’ve only been able to offer a limited welcome to groups at the castle.

This will change from early summer 2017, when we open a new 40-seater café to add much-needed refreshment facilities to tempt groups. A new shopping area and exhibition will also ensure that Framlingham Castle is a versatile all-weather destination.

Built in the late 1100s, the castle was at the centre of a vast network of power and influence and home for over 400 years to the earls and dukes of Norfolk. Mary Tudor was proclaimed queen of England at the castle and from 1483, it was home to

the ambitious and powerful Howard family, who gave Henry VIII two wives – both beheaded. More recently, its multi-towered walls sheltered the Poorhouse which will house the new café, retail space and exhibition on a newly created mezzanine level.

There is also a wall walk for adventurous group members to enjoy with wonderful views across Framlingham Mere and the surrounding countryside.

The works will be completed for summer 2017.

Contact the site to pre-book.

Framlingham Castle, Framlingham, Suffolk IP13 9BP Tel: + 44 [0]1728 724922 Email: framlingham.castle@english-heritage.org.uk www.english-heritage.org.uk/framlingham (See page 50 of the Groups Visits Guide 2017/18)

MAKEOVER MAKES MORE OF HAILES ABBEY Once one of the most famous pilgrimage sites in the land, Hailes Abbey is getting a makeover.

We’re going to be making enhancements befitting this one time wealthy and powerful monastery – and place it on the map for group excursions in the Cotswolds.

There will be a new lease of life for the ruins of this Cistercian abbey as we update the museum, re-presenting the artefacts it contains and putting some new objects on display for the first time. The cloister with its display of abbey artefacts is also being re-presented.

Properly showcasing and explaining its exquisite stonework and other ancient artefacts will allow your groups to fully appreciate the significance of the abbey, founded in 1246 by Richard of Cornwall, second son of King John. After Richard’s son Edmund

Hailes Abbey and seal

brought a phial of ‘Holy Blood’ to the site, pilgrims flocked there until well into the 16th century.

Groups visiting before next summer should expect to have restricted access while the work is carried out.

Hailes Abbey, Nr Winchcombe, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL54 5PB Tel: + 44 (0)1242 602398 www.english-heritage.org.uk/hailes (See page 42 of the Groups Visits Guide 2017/18)

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NEW EXHIBITION AT 1066 BATTLE OF HASTINGS, ABBEY AND BATTLEFIELD We opened a rooftop viewing area and temporary exhibition earlier in 2016 at this must-see site in East Sussex, to mark the 950th anniversary of England’s most famous battle.

From spring next year, a permanent exhibition will take its place, occupying three rooms of the abbey gatehouse, one open to the public for the first time. It delves into the consequences of the Battle of Hastings and its key role in the rapidly changing landscape of England’s rule.

The temporary exhibition closes on 17 February, but groups visiting before the new one opens on 1 April 2017, can still climb to the viewing area on the gatehouse roof to imagine the extent of the battlefield all-around. Back at ground level, the landscape now also features chainsaw-carved sculptures which help to capture the mood of battle and life after 1066.

1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield, Battle, East Sussex TN33 0AE Tel: + 44 (0)1424 775705 Email: battle.abbey@english-heritage.org.uk www.english-heritage.org.uk/battleabbey (See pages 18-19 of the Groups Visits Guide 2017/18)

FOUNTAIN FIRING PAUSES AT WITLEY COURT AND GARDENS We’ve got major refurbishment work underway on the Perseus and Andromeda fountain at Worcestershire’s Grade I listed Witley Court and Gardens.

This has temporarily halted the spectacle of 120 jets firing water high into the air, but it’ll be back in action when repairs are completed from April 2017.

One of the grandest fountains in Europe, it is the garden’s centrepiece and the jets hidden among sculptures of shells, sea nymphs, dolphins and a huge serpent are said to make the sound of a steam engine. They are normally fired on the hour to the delight of visitors to the gardens and ruined mansion, which once hosted royalty at extravagant house parties and was destroyed by fire in the 1930s.

Witley Court and Gardens, Great Witley, Worcestershire WR6 6JT Tel: + 44 (0)1299 896636 Email: witley.court@english-heritage.org.uk www.english-heritage.org.uk/witley (See page 63 of the Groups Visits Guide 2017/18)

Battle Abbey Gatehouse

OTHER IMPROVEMENTS Pretty Stokesay Castle in Shropshire will have a new 40-cover tearoom in the old potter’s cottage from summer 2017, serving local and regional dishes as well as old favourites like cream teas.

Stokesay Castle, Craven Arms, Shropshire SY9 9AH Tel: + 44 (0)1588 672544 Email: stokesay.castle@ english-heritage.org.uk www.english-heritage.org.uk/ stokesaycastle

The popular tearoom at Pendennis Castle, which is known for its delicious Cornish fare is moving to a new location in the castle’s barrack block. It is due to open – with space to seat 54 people – for the start of season in spring 2017.

Pendennis Castle, Castle Close, Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 4LP Tel: + 44 (0)1326 316594 Email: pendennis.castle@ english-heritage.org.uk www.english-heritage.org.uk/ pendennis

Clifford’s Tower in York will be subject to closures until autumn 2017, while works are carried out to improve the visitor experience.

Please call the site to find out more.

Clifford’s Tower, Tower Street, York, North Yorkshire Y01 9SA Tel: + 44 (0)1904 646940 Email: cliffords.tower@ english-heritage.org.uk www.english-heritage.org.uk/ cliffordstower

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MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS UNDERWAY AT STONEHENGE We’ve already begun work to improve the group visitor experience at Stonehenge.

We’re providing a longer term solution to better accommodate the 1.3m people from across the globe who visit each year – 60% of whom arrive by coach.

The developments will bring massive benefits for GTOs and tour operators and for your groups arriving by coach. The changes ahead will help us ensure all visitors enjoy a seamless experience and the highest standards of customer service.

Improvements centre on a newly designed permanent coach park which will provide a more efficient welcome for groups, ease parking congestion and minimise queues. Dedicated ticketing, toilet and shuttle facilities will all be conveniently located where your groups disembark from their coach.

Key benefits for you and your groups will be: ■■ A newly designed coach park with a safer, more streamlined layout and permanent spaces for up to 53 60-seater coaches. It will simplify traffic management and group arrival and departure procedures, ease congestion, meet projected demand for coach parking in the longer term and provide safer pedestrian access.

■■ A new Group Reception Building sited in a more convenient location, with WC facilities for group visitors almost doubling the number currently on site.

This building will also include group ticketing and audio collection for leaders.

■■ A new Visitor Transit Shuttle pick up point exclusively for groups, located next to the Group Reception Building, will allow groups to go directly from their coach to the Stone Circle.

Coupled with a larger turning area and simpler loading/unloading system at the Stones, it will be a more flexible and fluid service than the current system.

Shuttle services can step up if required, to provide substantially more visitor journeys at times of peak pressure to reduce queues.

Kate Davies, Stonehenge’s General Manager says: “Our priority is to deliver a seamless world class experience for those arriving at Stonehenge. We want

to meet existing demand in a more efficient and safe way, ease pressure points on site and give a better service to GTOs, operators, tour guides, group members – and all our visitors.”

Work will be phased to minimise the impact on visitors and we expect that some of the improvements should already be in place ahead of summer 2017.

Stonehenge, Nr Amesbury, Wiltshire, SP4 7DE Tel: + 44 (0) 370 333 0604 Email: bookstonehenge@english-heritage.org.uk www.english-heritage.org.uk/stonehenge (See pages 37-39 of the Group Visits Guide 2017/18)

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New coach park layout with spaces for 53 60-seater coaches

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Layby. Coaches will stop here before parking up so that tour leaders/guides/ drivers can collect tickets/audio guides

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New Group Reception Building with indoor ticket/audio guide collection area and WC facilities for group members to use

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Existing Groups Reception Point will close

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New visitor transit shuttle embarkation point, exclusively for groups

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Shuttle loop – a generous loop will allow shuttle vehicles to pass easily

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New general visitor transit shuttle embarkation/disembarkation point

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Visitor Centre

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3 4 5 6 7 Plan of Stonehenge coach park improvements

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Areas in yellow = Motorhome parking areas Areas in white = Pedestrian walkways

CONTACT US English Heritage Travel Trade Department, 29 Queen Square, Bristol BS1 4ND +44 (0)117 975 1349

traveltrade@english-heritage.org.uk

The English Heritage Trust is a charity, no. 1140351, and a company, no. 07447221, registered in England.

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