The prior’s lodgings are at the east end of the complex.
A chapel was placed on the south side of the rooms, and a study to the north.
Finchale Priory: Prior’s lodgings
Stonehenge: source of the sarsens
Research into the origins of the sarsen stones at Stonehenge have shown that they come from near Marlborough (“Stonehenge: Sarsen stones origin mystery solved”, BBC News 29 July 2020). A core taken in 1958 from one of the sarsens at Stonehenge has been analysed and shown to match the chemical profile of the sarsens located at West Woods, to the south of Marlborough. [Note this is different to the sarsens on Fyfield Down.]
Advice for reopening heritage sites
© David Gill
As heritage sites and locations start to reopen after the lockdown there are various factors to consider. Here is a select list of helpful websites:
- Gov.uk | Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19): Heritage Locations [England]
- Coronavirus: guidance for tourism and hospitality businesses for a phased and safe re-opening [Wales]
- Coronavirus (COVID-19): tourism and hospitality sector guidance [Scotland]
- Coronavirus: Working safely in tourism and hospitality [Northern Ireland]
- Heritage Alliance: COVID-19 Advice for the Sector
- Historic England: Supporting the Heritage Sector to Manage the Impact of Coronavirus
- Historic England: Heritage Online Debate
- Heritage Fund: Responding to coronavirus (COVID-19)
Leading Visitor Attractions 2019: Historic Environment Scotland
The visitor numbers for Leading Visitor Attractions in 2019 are now available. Properties managed by Historic Environment Scotland attracted over 5 million visitors in 2019. Top of the list is Edinburgh Castle with 2.2 million visitors, followed by Stirling Castle (609,000), Urquhart Castle (547,000) and Glasgow Cathedral (537,000). Skara Brae on Orkney received over 115,000 visitors, no doubt reflecting the presence of cruise ships.
The top six sites attract over 4 million visitors in 2019.
Historic Royal Palaces: pandemic impact
The Tower of London is one of the Top Visitor Attractions in the UK with 2.9 million visitors in 2019. With Hampton Court Palace and Kensington Palace these three properties attracted 4.5 million visitors in 2019. However, due to the pandemic closure, there is a major impact on income for the properties (“Coronavirus: Tower of London Beefeaters face job cuts due to pandemic“, BBC News 20 July 2020).
Heritage tourism: Cambridge University Museums
Cambridge University Museums play an important part in the visitor economy for Cambridge (1.3 million visitors in 2019). The Fitzwilliam Museum is the most visited, though there has been a steady decrease in recent years from 441,000 in 2016 to 349,000 in 2019. The Cambridge University Botanic Gardens have seen a steady increase to 334,000 in 2019.
The refurbished Kettle’s Yard and the University Museum of Zoology have seen a substantial increase in numbers, 231,000 and 134,000 respectively in 2019.
Heritage sites in England reopening
English Heritage has started to reopen a number of its key sites. Further locations are due to reopen in August.
Details are available here.
Heritage sites in Scotland reopening
Historic Environment Scotland has released details of its plans to re-open the heritage sites in its care during August and September. From 15 July this includes the grounds of Caerlaverock, Doune and Dundonald Castles.
Heritage site in Wales to reopen
Properties in the care of Cadw will be re-opening from August following the COVID-19 lockdown (“Wales’ ancient monuments set to reopen in August“, BBC News 18 July 2020). The first to re-open will be the castle at Laugharne on 4 August 2020.
The properties will include UNESCO World Heritage sites such as the castles and town walls of King Edward in Gwynedd (Beaumaris, Caernarfon, Conwy, and Harlech) and Blaenavon Industrial Landscape.
Heritage tourism: East Anglia
The top seven paid heritage visitor attractions in East Anglia (Norfolk and Suffolk) account for 1.1 million visitors a year (2018). Four are properties managed by the National Trust: Ickworth, Blickling Hall, Felbrigg Hall, and Oxburgh Hall. Framlingham Castle is managed by English Heritage.
There is a single museum, the Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery.
The Poppy Line (North Norfolk Railway) is also in the top seven.
