Mather & Co’s latest project has come to fruition with a new tourist experience at Dover Castle.
For the first time, the story of the siege has been brought to life at English Heritage’s Dover Castle, enriching visitors’ enjoyment and understanding of the castle.
This new experience at Dover Castle brings a unique blend of interpretation and play through immersive interactive displays, reopened medieval tunnels, and an imaginative new play area.
A new viewing area offers panoramic castle views from the northern Spur, and visitors can also discover the stories of the men and women who lived, worked, visited or fought for the castle.
The experience is centred on the siege of 1216 and events in the 18th and 19th centuries when the threat of war overseas led to a heavy investment in the castle. The project is a blend of interpretation and play which will increase access and opportunities across underutilised parts of the site, creating a visitor experience that is engaging, surprising, interactive, and that compliments the interpretation offered in other areas of the castle.
Visitor experience designers, Mather & Co, are responsible for the interpretive design, play/interpretive approach, content development, graphic design, artwork, technical detailing, on-site delivery and quality management. The project will see the realisation of much hard work for Mather & Co, bringing together a collaborative partnership with English Heritage, Studio Hardie, Avanti Architects, and the skills of a talented team of contractors and specialists.
Paul Lee, Design Director at Mather & Co said: “Mather & Co are proud to have been part of this project, bringing to life these stories in new and collaborative ways, working with English Heritage to evolve an interpretive approach that places discovery and play at the heart of its offer.
“The design team at Mather & Co have worked tirelessly, responding to the unique environments of the castle in dynamic and exciting ways. We are immensely proud of our time at Dover Castle, with hard work and commitment, the results are spaces that bring to life history and storytelling in contrasting and challenging environments, delivering new experiences for visitors to this magnificent castle.”
Visitors have a series of offers and spaces, each with a very different experience and level of engagement based on physical location.
Images: Mathers & Co.
