New attraction gives York Minster a bank holiday boost

The new Revealing York Minster attraction has proved a resounding success for York Minster, with an 8% increase in visitors over the bank holiday weekend, the first three days of the attraction’s opening.

“This time last year, the country was enjoying the Jubilee celebrations, so our figures for the Spring Bank Holiday in 2012 were very strong.  However, this year’s figures are sensational – a full 8% increase on last year,” comments Nicola Bexon, Market Director.  “Unusually for a bank holiday weekend, we were even facing competition from the stunning weather and the ever-popular York Races, – so to have such a significant increase is a real testament to the widespread appeal of York’s newest attraction.”

The opening of the new attraction will be marked by a visit by York’s new Civic Party and key business leaders tomorrow morning (Thursday 30 May 2013), when the Dean of York, the Very Reverend Vivienne Faull, hosts a celebratory breakfast incorporating a visit to the Undercroft.

The 2000 year story brought to life in Revealing York Minster will be celebrated throughout the year with a series of events taking place at York Minster, including a concert ‘Rome in York Minster’ on 13 July 2013 as part of the York Early Music Festival.  The Undercroft itself will host a talk by Ian Milsted of York Archaeological Trust on 25 June as part of the York Festival of Ideas, when attendees will learn of the detective process that goes into interpreting a diverse range of finds, including those discovered by Ian’s team during archaeological excavations beneath the Undercroft’s floor.

Admission to Revealing York Minster is included in the York Minster admission price, and sits alongside The Orb, a contemporary gallery of medieval masterpieces in stained glass taken from the Great East Window, East End exhibitions on the work of the glaziers and stonemasons and, of course, the wider visit to the Minster, including free tours with superbly knowledgeable guides, and the Chapter House.  The new attraction adds a further hour to a visit.

Valid for a full 12 months, admission prices for York Minster are £10.00 for adults and £9.00 for concessions and children get in free with a paying adult. 

Revealing York Minster is the latest part to be completed of the £20 million York Minster Revealed project, a five-year project generously supported by a £10.5 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, which incorporates the largest restoration and conservation project of its kind in the UK. 

For more information, please visit www.yorkminster.org or call 0844 939 0011.

ENDS

About York Minster Revealed

The York Minster Revealed project is a five-year project scheduled for completion in early summer 2016. It is the largest restoration and conservation project of its kind in the UK. The cost of the whole York Minster Revealed Project is £20 million, of which £10.5m has been generously supported with a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). The remainder of the fund has been raised by York Minster.

State-of-the-art multi-media galleries, new displays of historic collections and interactive interpretations will create new learning opportunities for all ages. Also improved access to the South Transept, Undercroft, Treasury and Crypt will totally transform the experience of visiting York Minster.

About the Heritage Lottery Fund

Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) aims to make a lasting difference for heritage, people and communities across the UKand help build a resilient heritage economy. 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 almost 35,000 projects with more than £5.3bn across the UK.  www.hlf.org.uk.  For more information, please contact Katie Owen, HLF press office, on tel: 020 7591 6036/07973 613820.

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