OUR LATEST INNOVATION

FOLLOWING THE New Visitor Information ROOM IN 2007 WE NOW PRESENT

A VIRTUAL TOUR OF THE CASTLE IN THE 14TH CENTURY
created by Tom Gibson, a graduate of Hertfordshire University, from an idea by Geoffrey Barnes

For those with older pc facilities a lower-grade version is available at the bottom of the page.

Our thanks to Jan Messent of English Heritage, Jenny Sherwood  (see  below), Ken Wallis and Darrenlloyd Gent.
Simulated presentation of the Bayeux tapestry with kind permission of Jan Messant.
Modern day aerial view of Berkhamsted castle by kind permission of English Heritage.
Commentary by Ron Cowie.

Contacts:
Berkhamsted Castle Liaison Group Chairman:
Cllr Phil Gibbs:  07900 822568       phil.gibbs3@spcorp.com

Berkhamsted Local History and Museum Society Chairman:
Mrs Jenny Sherwood  01442 865158       Ksherw9100@aol.com

On Friday, August 24^th 2007 the mayor of the day (Councillor Carol Green) with the then chairman of Berkhamsted History and Museum Society (Mrs Jenny Sherwood) opened the Castle Information Room.

Left to Right, Berkhamsted Town Mayor, Councillor Carol Green and
Berkhamsted Local History and Museum Society Chairman Mrs Jenny Sherwood
Photograph reproduced by kind permission of The Berkhamsted Gazette

This is the culmination of negotiations with English Heritage over a number of years, to find ways of enhancing visitor experience. English Heritage has allowed part of the former Ticket Office next to the Castle cottage to be used to display interpretation panels, explaining the history of the Castle and some key personalities associated with it. The room was refurbished by Berkhamsted Town Council; the panels were produced, with Lottery funding, by Berkhamsted Local History and Museum Society [BLHMS], who have also produced a Castle booklet available on site, together with a website: www.berkhamsted-castle.org.uk.

 The Mayor of Berkhamsted, Cllr Mrs Carol Green and the Chairman of Berkhamsted Local History and Museum Society, Mrs Jenny Sherwood jointly performed the opening ceremony before invited guests; English Heritage was represented by Neil Cole, Head of Visitor Operations, East of England Region.

Neil Cole commented that “English Heritage is delighted to have assisted Berkhamsted Town Council in the creation of the Information Room at Berkhamsted Castle.  This exciting new attraction will not only improve the interpretation of the castle’s history and provide a valuable education resource it will also enhance the overall visitor experience.”

Berkhamsted Castle Liaison Group Chairman, Cllr Phil Gibbs said, “This is a good example of a local council working with a national organisation and a local voluntary body to enhance our local heritage site.”

Mrs Jenny Sherwood added, “We are happy at the outcome of a successful community project which the Berkhamsted Local History and Museum Society  initiated in 2002, and was then taken forward by the Castle Liaison Group set up by the Town Council.”

The Information Room will be manned by BLHMS volunteers, open from 1000–600h most days until the end of September; will reopen next Spring

ENDS