|
Press Preview
With Dan Cruickshank 22 March 2010
New £6m Portal Opens To Unlock Maritime
Greenwich To One Million Visitors A Year
- Historic artefacts, Tudor and modern
beer combine for a new cultural destination
for Maritime Greenwich -
22 February 2010: Discover
Greenwich at the Old Royal Naval College,
is the new £6 million contemporary
cultural venue in the heart of Maritime
Greenwich. Discover Greenwich will
unlock the history of Maritime Greenwich
for over a million visitors a year and becomes
the starting point for understanding
and appreciating this World Heritage site
and international tourist destination.
This approach, to provide a one-stop
portal for understanding and appreciating
a world heritage site including its
complexities and intricacies, is a first
in the UK. The new venue includes
The Old Brewery, run by the award winning
Meantime Brewing Company: A new restaurant,
bar and café containing a micro-brewery
- bringing brewing back to the site after
140 years to create historical and
modern beers. Discover Greenwich
opens on 23 March and is largely supported
by a grant of £1.8 million from the
Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).
Discover Greenwich opens to the public
on 23 March 2010
Press Preview
Dan Cruickshank has been involved in producing the content for Discover Greenwich’s architecture section in the permanent exhibition. The list of those who shaped the world famous buildings and landscape of the Old Royal Naval College and Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site reads like a roll call of the greatest architects of their time: Inigo Jones, André Le Nôtre,Sir Christopher Wren, Nicholas Hawksmoor, Sir John Vanbrugh and James ‘Athenian’ Stuart. Using original plans, drawings and models, the Architecture and Design section of Discover Greenwich will chart the development of the site’s design and highlight the different architectural influences and styles adopted by these grand designers. Dan will be exploring the work of these architects and the impact they have had on the area and London through three short films.
END
Further information:
Discover Greenwich
The destination uses state of the art interpretation techniques to tell the story of Maritime Greenwich and the Old Royal Naval College. Over 500 years of history from Henry VIII's Tudor Palace to Wren’s Royal Hospital for Seamen and the Royal Naval College will be explored through displays of never been seen before historic objects, film footage and models in permanent and temporary exhibitions. Key figures from Anne Boleyn to Nelson are the highlights in a narrative telling the story not just of Greenwich but of Britain. A new Greenwich Tourist Information Centre, run by The London Borough of Greenwich, and the new Clore Learning Centre are also important features of the project.
The Old Brewery
Next to Discover Greenwich, the Royal Hospital’s Old Brewhouse has been brought back into use after 140 years by Meantime Brewing Company. The site that once brewed and piped beer direct to the Royal Hospital for Seamen as a 'restorative drink’ (each man had a ration of three pints a day) is now a restaurant, bar and café containing a micro-brewery creating historical and modern beers. The spirit of the brewhouse is kept alive in a wholly contemporary way, reviving ancient recipes that used ingredients such as ‘bog myrtle’ or ‘wormwood’ while also brewing avant garde beers such as Mojito Pilsners and Juniper Pale Ales specifically crafted to match the flavours and aromas of modern contemporary cuisine that will be served in The Old Brewery.
Directions:
Maritime Greenwich is easily reached via the following stops:
- DLR - alighting at Cutty Sark. (15 mins from Canary Wharf DLR).
- Rail from London Bridge, Charing Cross, Waterloo East and Cannon Street.
- River boat to Greenwich Pier. (10 mins from Canary Warf Pier to Greenwich Pier). Pick up the Thames Clipper from Milbank, Embankment, London Eye, Tower, Canary Wharf, Greenland, Masthouse, Piers.
- Check www.tfl.gov.uk for detailed timings.
Discover Greenwich at the Old Royal Naval College, is next to the Cutty Sark. Use the gates into the Old Royal Naval College to access:
- King William and Cutty Sark Gate, opposite the Cutty Sark
- Lewin Gate, off Greenwich Pier
Heritage Lottery Fund:
Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported 33,900 projects, allocating £4.4billion across the UK. Website: www.hlf.org.uk
END TO ALL |
