Due to tragic events at the Southern 100 Races in Castletown, today’s public engagement event at Castletown Civic Centre has been cancelled. We will announce further details at an appropriate time. Thank you for your understanding.
Discover more at open days showcasing proposed all-weather heritage visitor attraction
Learn more about a vibrant new visitor experience in the south of the Island next week when Manx National Heritage hosts open days to showcase proposals for the transformational redevelopment of the Nautical Museum in Castletown.
On display will be concept designs for the development of the existing site to create an accessible, all-weather heritage visitor attraction. There will also be a digital 3D model walk-thru of the Nautical Museum buildings, allowing you to experience a virtual tour of the design which incorporates extensive conservation works to bring the historic buildings back into a state of good repair, as well as re-purposing currently unused outbuildings.
Castletown Civic Centre is the venue for the open days on Tuesday, 11 July from 10am – 7pm and Wednesday, 12 July from 10am-5pm, where images of the proposed designs will be on display and representatives of Manx National Heritage and the Design team will be on hand to discuss the regeneration project.
Connie Lovel, Executive Director Manx National Heritage, explained:
‘The regeneration of the Nautical Museum into an all-weather family friendly and accessible heritage visitor attraction is a transformative project which we believe will create an engaging and truly memorable experience for all visitors, from near and far.
‘Both the stories told at the Nautical Museum and surrounding the Peggy are of great international significance and this exciting development will further contribute to the already rich cultural life of Castletown and the Isle of Man. It will also create a landmark venue to be proud of, housing a world-class visitor attraction with a broad appeal.
‘We look forward to welcoming as many people as possible to the Civic Centre next week to view the proposed designs and to discuss the potential positive impact of this project.’
Ranald Caldwell, Chairman of Visit Isle of Man, added:
‘The Island needs new developments of this nature to enable us to compete on an international level, to attract new audiences and encourage repeat visits. Other nations are investing in their visitor attractions and heritage in particular, which is a vital part of our visitor experience here on the Isle of Man.’
— ENDS —
Editors notes:
Updated: 12 July 2023
In 2022 Manx National Heritage published a Q&A document which outlines the project’s progress. This can be accessed here: https://manxnationalheritage.im/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Nautical-Museum-QAs-Jan-2022.pdf
Internationally, Peggy is one of the world’s oldest surviving boats and the only surviving example of a small wooden yacht once found in their thousands around the western British Isles. The preservation of the Peggy began in 2015 when she was carefully removed from the boat cellar of the Nautical Museum in Castletown to be stabilised, studied and conserved.
The full George Quayle Legacy Report to Tynwald and Statement of Significance is available on the Tynwald website here:
https://www.tynwald.org.im/business/opqp/sittings/20212026/2021-GD-0086.pdf
For further information, please contact:
James Davis Isle of Man Advertising & PR – 01624 620400