Centre Of Excellence
Barnard Castle’s new visitor centre made a dramatic entrance today (Tuesday March 21) when it literally ‘walked’ through the Castle gates.
The ‘pod’ or main part of the new centre was lifted by an Australian Franna vehicle – one of only three in the country. The 17 tonne giant crane, which measures 8.2 metres in length and can lift up to 14 tonnes, raised the pod up and literally ‘walked’ it through the Castle gates. Once inside, the ‘pod’ will be clad in seasoned oak walls and the roof tiled so that the finished building will be an attractive but unobtrusive addition to the Castle grounds.
Alison Scurrah, English Heritage’s visitor operations manager for the North East and Yorkshire, said the new centre would make exploring the castle a much more comfortable and enjoyable experience. “There will be improved facilities, both for staff and visitors to the castle,” she said. “A shop area will sell English Heritage gifts and there will be toilet facilities – also suitable for people with disabilities – on site for the first time.”
The visitor centre is only the second in the country in a comprehensive programme of improved facilities being introduced at selected English Heritage properties. Another will be installed at Dunstanburgh Castle in Northumberland later in the year.
Alison said: “We want to ensure when visitors come to our properties that their experience is as memorable as possible, leaving them to enjoy and absorb their surroundings and learn about our properties and the special role they played in England’s history.”
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