New Visitor Facilities at Pendennis Castle
Now there are even more reasons to visit Pendennis Castle, near Falmouth, following the extensive refurbishment of the Royal Artillery Barracks by English Heritage. New attractions include an interactive exhibition that brings the castle to life, educational facilities for schools and a new hospitality wing.
Built in 1901, the Barracks housed the Royal Artillery at the castle and in recent years was used as a youth hostel. It is now the venue for an exciting exhibition called ‘The Key to Cornwall’. This traces the history of the castle, the people who worked within its walls and its connections with the commercial port of Falmouth, the county of Cornwall and the trade routes of the British Empire.
A key feature of the exhibition is a large hands-on scale model of the castle, built by Henry VIII to defend Falmouth and its outlying defences, with an interactive lighting system designed to highlight the features of the site.
Children will be able to step into the shoes of a soldier on kit parade in his barrack room with the help of a special effects sound and mirror booth.
Speaking on behalf of English Heritage, Chairman Sir Neil Cossons, said:
“There is even more for visitors to enjoy at Pendennis Castle. The refurbishment of the Royal Artillery Barracks has been a huge success and should benefit the whole community. The exhibition provides a fascinating insight into both the history of the castle and the port of Falmouth. The superb educational suite will be a great asset to teachers and should enthral school children."
The new education suite comprises two large education rooms furnished to reflect an original army barrack room – one with scaled-down tables and chairs suitable for primary school children – and a wet room for creative workshops. Up to 120 children can be accommodated at one time, allowing schools to bring an entire year group to the castle. Children can enjoy trying on period costumes and taking a virtual tour of the ‘Keep’. Fully accessible, the education suite can be reached by lift and is fitted with induction loops.
The new hospitality area is not only a fully-equipped conference centre but also an exceptional wedding venue - with the surrounding sea providing a stunning backdrop for that special occasion. Some 20 weddings have already been booked! Facilities include a room with a capacity of 100, syndicate rooms and a new commercial kitchen. A list of accredited caterers is available on request. The space is available for corporate hospitality and daytime meetings.
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