Castle opens £900,000 visitor facility (From Gazette & Herald)

Castle opens £900,000 visitor facility

'STATE-of-the-art' visitor facilities costing more than £900,000 were officially opened yesterday at Helmsley Castle.

The new, contemporary visitor centre is combined with exhibitions, greatly improved disabled access, new audio tours and interactive displays. The scheme has been undertaken by English Heritage in partnership with Yorkshire Forward and with support of more than £211,000 from the European Union's Objective 2 programme.

Best-selling writer Bill Bryson opened the new facilities by saying they were probably the best he'd ever seen.

"I think it's fabulous. The information is very good and very accessible. I've been to a lot of places all over the world and they don't always get it right. I think they've succeeded wonderfully here.

"English Heritage have brought it to life and I think they've doubled, tripled or quadrupled the amount of pleasure a visitor would enjoy. It's one of the best I've seen.

"Helmsley is obviously a lovely spot. I've been to Helmsley before when I lived up here. What I didn't realise until yesterday when we drove up here is how many wonderful little villages there are around. There are some really good-looking pubs and I'm sure there are some fantastic walks, too."

Mr Bryson, who used to live in Kirby Malham, between Settle and Skipton, said he would be returning to Helmsley Castle to bring the younger two of his four children.

"The fortress has a compelling story which will now be told with the top-class visitor facilities that Helmsley deserves," said David Fraser, English Heritage regional director for Yorkshire. But more than that, the project represents a significant investment in the heart of the North York Moors. It will encourage tourists to spend more time in the area and produce a welcome boost for businesses."

The castle currently attracts 25,000 visitors a year and it is anticipated that this will increase to 45,000, providing an additional £2m boost to the economy. English Heritage is also staging a series of special events at the castle this summer to provide memorable family days out. They get underway over the Easter weekend with Elizabethan music and dance and take a noisier turn when the castle is put under siege once again with an "Attack and Defend" re-enactment spectacular (April 17-18).

Andrew Leeming, from Ryedale District Council, said: "The opening of this centre provides a crucial step in the revitalisation of Ryedale's rural economic base, maximising the special heritage assets of Ryedale for the good of the community and economy of the area."

A new bridge has been built over the castle moat, footpaths resurfaced and a new viewing platform created. Lightning and security systems have also been installed in the Tudor Manor House, which is now home to fascinating relics recovered from the site.

Interpretation and educational facilities were designed by PLB, based in Malton.

Helmsley Castle is open daily until September 30, 10am-6pm.

Updated: 11:09 Wednesday, April 07, 2004