A Northumberland stately home is sporting a rather unusual addition in the shape of a 6.6 metre slide.
The temporary slide, which descends off the side of Belsay Hall into the gardens, opens on April 30 and is part of a project giving visitors behind-the-scenes access to major conservation works taking place at the hall over the next 12 months. A specially built platform has been installed at roof level, enabling visitors to see the conservation in action and enjoy views of the Northumberland countryside.
In addition to the conservation programme, English Heritage, which manages the Hall, is restoring the gardens and creating a new family-friendly café and woodland play area. The project represents a total investment of £8.24m and is supported by donations from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Garfield Weston Foundation, the Foyle Foundation and other donors.
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Samantha Shotton, Property Manager at English Heritage's Belsay Hall, said: "We’re delighted to have opened the slide here at Belsay Hall just in time for the bank holiday weekend. It will no doubt prove to be very popular with our visitors, both young and old!
"As well as the chance to have a go on it and slide down through history, we will also be running Bands at Belsay – an opportunity to hear the finest swing bands in the North East performing with the hall as a backdrop. Meanwhile the conservation project is now well underway and we are looking forward to it being completed next year.
"It’s a very exciting time for Belsay Hall and we hope the addition of the slide will encourage people to visit us to find out more about the work that we’re doing here."
Would you have a go on the slide at Belsay Hall? Let us know in the comments below!
David Renwick, Director, England, North at the National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: "It’s fantastic to see the fun and exciting ways that the Belsay Awakes project is putting in place to give visitors to the Hall and Gardens a unique view of the conservation work taking place.
"Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, we're delighted to be able to support the innovative activities being put on that will allow visitors to explore and celebrate the heritage of Belsay, while also creating stories for the future. We’re sure that the slide will be a must-do for visitors, but the rest of the Hall and Gardens will make for a fantastic day out too."
