The new Bath World Heritage Centre is set to open to the public on Monday 9th May, giving visitors an insight into what makes the city so special.
Feeling the temperature of Bath’s naturally hot spa water | Photo courtesy of B&NES Council
As a World Heritage Site, Bath sits alongside places like the Taj Mahal and the Great Wall of China as one of the greatest cultural sites in the world.
The city recently gained a second listing as one of the ‘Great Spa Towns of Europe’ and is the only UK city to appear twice on the World Heritage List.
Supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the World Heritage Centre on York Street will provide an opportunity for visitors to Bath and local people to engage with the city’s culture, history and heritage and explore popular Bath landmarks as well as lesser-known places.
Once established, it’s expected the attraction will receive around 100,000 visitors per year.
Councillor Dine Romero, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Communities and Culture at Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: “The World Heritage Centre will provide something we’ve never had before in the city: a central place for visitors and residents to find out about Bath’s special status as a World Heritage Site.
“It will inspire people to go out and discover the city’s heritage, from spotting hidden details in the Circus and Royal Crescent, to learning about the extravagant funfairs that took place in Sydney Gardens, or finding out how Romans placed curses on their enemies. We can’t wait to open the doors to the public.”
The World Heritage Centre will feature interactive exhibits and displays designed to inspire, excite and inform.
Staff and volunteers will be on hand to answer questions and help people make the most of their visit.
There will also be free walking trails and guides to help visitors to the city explore all it has to offer.
A mobile app has been made available for download. Packed with features, trails, facts and a GPS map, the app allows people to build bespoke itineraries based on their preferences.
When people visit a destination, they can collect augmented reality characters and stickers.
Users can collect golden acorns that are located around the city and reveal hidden gems. A gallery view also lets them save pictures from their trip, providing a permanent collection of memories.
The World Heritage Centre is part of the Archway Project, supported by the Heritage Fund thanks to National Lottery players, which also includes a brand-new Roman Baths Clore Learning Centre for pre-booked school and community groups, and a new Roman Gym at the Roman Baths.
Stuart McLeod, Director, England – London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We’re thrilled to see the World Heritage Centre opening following £5 million funding thanks to money raised by National Lottery players.
“This state-of-the-art centre is part of the Archway Project and will offer a new learning experience for the local community and visitors to discover more about the fascinating history of this beloved World Heritage Site.”
Located in York Street, the World Heritage Centre will be open Monday to Sunday and will be free to enter.
