MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO VISIT LONGTHORPE TOWER IN 2012
English Heritage and Vivacity Sign New Management Agreement
There’s good news for visitors to historic Longthorpe Tower in Cambridgeshire as from 1 April 2012 it will be open every weekend until 31 October. English Heritage is handing over the day-to-day running of this 14th century property to us at Vivacity, we plan to increase the current opening hours and offer guided tours on the first Saturday of every month.
Longthorpe Tower contains extremely rare wall paintings which give a unique insight into the forms of decoration which adorned the houses of prestigious individuals in the 14th century. They contain a wealth of references to the illuminated manuscripts of the period.
At present the three storey tower only opens on the first Sunday of every month for pre-booked tours during the summer season. The new opening hours will now mean the tower be open every weekend in the summer, but will also open at other times to pre-booked groups or schools.
Longthorpe Tower becomes part of an exceptionally rich heritage portfolio we have, joining the city centre Museum (which reopens in Spring 2012 following a £3.2M makeover) and the bronze-age archaeological park, Flag Fen, which became part of Vivacity earlier this year, as well as the annual Heritage Festival.
Steven Bax, English Heritage Historic Properties Director for London and the East said: “Longthorpe Tower is increasingly popular with visitors as it contains one of the most complete and finest surviving displays of Medieval domestic wall paintings in northern Europe.
“It has been in our guardianship since 1984 and we are delighted to entrust the day-to-day management to a local trust who will be able to open it more often than we have previously been able. This new management agreement will give the people of Peterborough and visitors from around the country more opportunities to enjoy these amazing wall paintings in the Great Chamber.”
Sarah Stannage, Heritage Services Manager for Vivacity said: “We recognize that this is a fantastic opportunity to work with English Heritage and local people to provide greater access to Longthorpe Tower. We plan to create a really special place for visitors to discover, learn and deepen their appreciation of the rich history of the site and its incredible medieval wall paintings. With three heritage sites now sitting within Vivacity, we are very well placed to really push Peterborough’s heritage and to give this historic site the profile it deserves.
“Over the coming months we will provide lots of opportunities for volunteers of all ages and backgrounds to get involved in the creation of new displays, guided tours and events at the Tower. If you would like to become a volunteer please call 01733 864775 or email volunteering@vivacity-peterborough.com.”
English Heritage will still be responsible for maintaining the property and it will remain under its guardianship, however Vivacity will be in charge of opening and managing the site.
Longthorpe Tower was built around AD 1300. It is a very well preserved example of a solar tower, containing the private apartments of the owner of the fortified house. The rare medieval wall paintings were revealed during World War II when the local Home Guard were stationed in the tower and larger sections of the paintings were discovered by the tenant after the war. Their significance was quickly realised and a programme of cleaning and preservation by E Clive Rouse took place between 1946 and 1948. Such was the importance of the discovery that in 1947 the owner, Earl Fitzwilliam, presented the tower to the nation, and it was taken into the guardianship of the Secretary of State.
Further information from: Emma Evans, Sales, Marketing & Communications Manaager, Vivacity, Tel: 01733 864273 or email emma.evans@vivacity-peterborough.com, or
Debbie Holden, Communications, English Heritage Tel: 020 7973 3855 or email Debbie.holden@english-heritage.org.uk
Prices:
Admission: Adult £3.50, Concession £2.50, Children £2.00 and English Heritage Members: Free