Timewalk

The Timewalk was an exhibition and visitor attraction located in Brewers Quay, Weymouth, Dorset. It opened in 1990 and closed in 2010. One of Weymouth's most popular attractions, Timewalk took visitors on a journey covering the town's history and maritime connections from the 14th century onwards. It was told by the brewery cat, Miss Paws, and her eight feline ancestors. The attraction aimed to "recreate the sights, sounds and smells, of six hundred years of maritime history".[1]

Timewalk was housed in Brewers Quay.

After being introduced to Miss Paws, visitors were taken around a series of nineteen dioramas depicting various historic scenes, including the Black Death pandemic, the Spanish Armada's attempted invasion, the English Civil War, the use of Portland stone by Sir Christopher Wren for the rebuilding of London after the Great Fire of 1666, Weymouth's Royal Patronage by King George III, local smuggling and Weymouth's important tourism trade following its railway link opened in 1857. The final part of the attraction was Brewery Days, which covered the history of brewing in Hope Square from 1821. It featured the characters Mr Malt, Mr Hops and Mr Yeast which were known as the Brewery Bunch. Adults were able to taste some real ale in the Drum and Dancer Tasting Bar.[1][2][3][4]

History

Following the closure of Devenish Brewery, Devenish and Weymouth & Portland Borough Council launched a major plan to transform the building into Brewers Quay, a shopping complex with a pub, restaurant and indoor visitor attractions.[5] Opened in June 1990, the new £4.5 million complex included Timewalk and Weymouth Museum, both of which covered the history of Weymouth.[6] The project designer was John Sunderland,[7] and that year, Timewalk won the British Tourist Authority's "Come to Britain Trophy".[1]

Timewalk was one of the area's most popular attractions. In 2004, it was praised as part of the Rough Guide to Britain's entry for Weymouth.[8] In a borough report by the council, Timewalk's annual visitor numbers for 2004 was 41,000.[9] In the summer of 2007, VisitBritain announced that Weymouth was the most searched location on their websites, which was said to have been boosted by both Timewalk and the Sea Life Park.[10]

In 2010, Timewalk closed when Brewers Quay shut for redevelopment by Brewers Quay Investment LLP. As part of their plans, it was announced that Timewalk would not be included in the redevelopment, with the attraction being described as "no longer justifiable" due to dwindling visitor numbers.[11] Instead, a new wet weather attraction was announced as its replacement.[12] However, the plans stalled and in 2013, Brewers Quay re-opened as an antiques emporium. Following its closure, the Timewalk figures were placed in storage within the building. In 2016, Weymouth Museum gave 18 figures to the emporium, who retained some while others were sold.[13]

References
  1. "Wayback Machine". Web.archive.org. Archived from the original on 22 August 2007. Retrieved 6 March 2018. Cite uses generic title (help)
  2. "The Museums of Dorset, England". Thedorsetpage.com. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  3. "Stepping back in time with Weymouth's Timewalk". Dorset Echo. 16 July 2010. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  4. "Wayback Machine". Web.archive.org. Archived from the original on 8 February 2001. Retrieved 6 March 2018. Cite uses generic title (help)CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  5. "Brewers Quay". Visit Weymouth. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  6. "History of the Friends". Friendsofweymouthmuseum.org.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  7. "John Sunderland | CULTURAL HERITAGE & MUSEUM DESIGN & BUILD PROJECTS 1981 TO 2008". Johnsunderlanddesign.com. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  8. "The best of British". Dorset Echo. 15 March 2004. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  9. "dd 02555 Wey & Port in profile" (PDF). Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  10. Sarah Goldthorpe (21 November 2007). "Resort is top destination". Dorset Echo. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  11. http://wam.westdorset-dc.gov.uk/WAM/doc/DESIGN%20AND%20ACCESS%20STATEMENT.pdf?extension=.pdf&contentType=application/pdf&id=1016031
  12. Lucy Pearce. "Timewalk axed in Brewers Quay plans". Dorset Echo. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  13. Rachel Stretton Assistant head of content. "Mike Ellery of the Brewers Quay Emporium has bought the Timewalk models after they had to be moved to make space for new museum". Dorset Echo. Retrieved 6 March 2018.

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