New visitor experiences planned for York's Monk Bar and Micklegate Bar
The JORVIK Group of Attractions has today (Monday 24 February) revealed exciting plans for two of the city’s Bars, with brand new museums launching at Easter at Monk Bar and Micklegate Bar.
The JORVIK Group, which includes the JORVIK Viking Centre and DIG, has taken over the space within Monk Bar that housed the Richard III Museum, and work starts today on creating a new museum, The Richard III Experience at Monk Bar. The contents of the Micklegate Bar Museum will also be replaced and updated to create The Henry VII Experience at Micklegate Bar.
“When Michael Bennett, founder of the Richard III Museum announced his impending retirement and approached us about taking over the reins of the museum, we were very excited. Richard III has been very much in the news in recent years, and there’s a great opportunity to tell the story of Richard and his connections with the city of York, from his ascension to the bloody battles of Towton and then Bosworth,” comments Sarah Maltby, Director of Attractions for the JORVIK Group, part of the York Archaeological Trust. “It then seemed logical to link Monk Bar with Micklegate Bar, so that with a short walk along the city walls, visitors can continue the story, looking at the subsequent reign of Henry VII, to create a visitor experience that really cements York’s role in the time of the Plantagenets and Tudors.”
The Richard III Museum welcomed its final visitors in its existing format yesterday (Sunday 23 February 2014) and will re-open as part of the JORVIK Group at the start of the Easter school holidays. Micklegate Bar Museum will close briefly at the end of March whilst new exhibitions are installed, similarly re-opening in time for Easter.
“These two new attractions, combined with Barley Hall, will illustrate the story of medieval York fantastically well, giving visitors an idea of what it would have been like to live in the city through the War of the Roses, living first under the white rose of Richard, then the red rose of Henry Tudor,” adds Sarah. “With the popularity of the BBC series The White Queen last summer, and the on-going interest in Richard III, we’re looking forward to welcoming our first visitors to step inside this fascinating period in history.”
“I have always tried to present the case for and against the King in an accessible and entertaining way and have enjoyed meeting and welcoming visitors over the last 20 years,” says Mike Bennett. “I am delighted that the JORVIK Group of Attractions will be taking over the museum and that it will continue to inform and entertain residents and tourists about the Richard III story.”
Admission to the new attractions will be £3.50 each, with a joint ticket covering Monk Bar and Micklegate Bar priced at just £5.00. A ‘Medieval Pass’ ticket also incorporating Barley Hall will be available for £8.00.
For further details, please visit www.richardiiiexperience.com or www.henryviiexperience.com
ENDS
Notes to editors: All of the Richard III Museum’s employees have been employed by the JORVIK Group of Attractions, with no job losses.
Prices for the Medieval Experiences
Monkbar or Micklegate Bar: Adult £3.50, Child £2.50, Conc 2.50, Fam 4 £9.00 Fam 5 £10
Joint Ticket for both walls attractions: Adult £5, Child £3, Conc £3.50, Fam 4, £14 Fam 5 £14.50
Medieval Pass (Joint Ticket + Barley Hall): Adult £8, Child £4.50 Conc £6 Fam 4 £22.75 Fam 5 £23.75
The JORVIK Group of attractions comprises:
JORVIK Viking Centre, which celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2014
DIG
Barley Hall
Micklegate Bar Museum
The JORVIK Group also organises York’s annual JORVIK Viking Festival in February and the Medieval Festival in August.
For further media information, please contact:
Jay Commins or Samantha Orange
Pyper York Limited
Tel: 01904 500698
Email: jay@pyperyork.co.uk or sam@pyperyork.co.uk
