One of 2023's most hotly anticipated museum openings in the UK has announced the date it will throw open its doors to the public.
Ad Gefrin, in Wooler, consists of a museum and visitor centre celebrating the Anglo-Saxon Golden Age, and Northumberland's first ever whisky distillery. It is one of the biggest-ever investments in tourism in the north of the county and has been named as both one of the world's most anticipated museum openings by the Smithsonian Magazine, and one of four Northumberland entries on TimeOut's list of 23 things to do in 2023.
The journey began on co-founders Alan and Eileen Ferguson's kitchen table in 2018, and it's a true family affair with their son Chris taking the role of visitor experience director. The doors will open for the first time on Saturday March 25 2023.
Read more: First look at Northumberland's first whisky distillery due to open in spring 2023
Eileen Ferguson, co-founder with her husband Alan, said: "We set out to create a celebration of the Anglo Saxon Golden Age in Northumbria, with at its heart the Royal Palace at Yeavering, just outside Wooler, uniquely combined with a whisky distillery – home to Northumberland’s first English Single Malt. Our ambition is to make Ad Gefrin a landmark destination that would appeal to the widest audience and to all ages.
"Now we’re all incredibly excited to be on the brink of bringing the vision to life, and I am so proud of what has been achieved here with the input of so many. Huge credit goes to every single person who has played a part, however small, in delivering Ad Gefrin, from the planners and local authorities, the architect, construction teams, sub-contractors and trades, the museum designers, and the staff who are predominantly from Northumberland.
"We are immensely grateful to everybody who has helped to make this dream such a wonderful reality."
The Ad Gefrin Museum aims to bring to life the largely untold story of the 7th Century Anglo-Saxon Royal court of Northumbria through an immersive visitor experience and object displays including rare and never before seen Angelo-Saxon treasures from the British Museum and Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, many of which are returning home to the North East for the first time in more than 30 years. In the distillery, visitors will be able to watch the production of the first ever Northumrian single malt whisky, created from local barley in a 21st century process based on a centuries-old tradition, while the Ad Gefrin bistro will serve up a contemporary menu of Northumbrian produce.
The opening has created more than 50 new job opportunities, many of whom live in Wooler and north Northumberland. And for Eileen, their involvement is one of the most rewarding aspects of the project's completion.
She finished: "From the outset the people of Wooler could not have supported the project more. Their wholehearted support and enthusiasm have carried us through all the challenges and the milestones, and we are delighted that so many local people have joined the team to help make Ad Gefrin the success we know it will be.
"In fact, we want the very first visitors to be from the town, so we’ll be offering a special preview opening for residents before our doors open to the public."
Read next
Northumberland distillery releases first whisky blend ahead of opening next year
Northumberland museum to bring home rare Anglo-Saxon objects ahead of 2023 opening
History made in Wooler as first ever whisky stills arrive in Northumberland
Northumberland whisky distillery to source all ingredients within 20-mile radius
Northumberland film festival to fully return for first time in three years
