HRH Earl of Wessex opens National Civil War Centre

On Friday 25 September, HRH Prince Edward, The Earl of Wessex officially opened the UK's first visitor attraction dedicated to telling the story of the 17th century British Civil Wars.

The £5.4m project, which secured a £3.5m Heritage Lottery Fund grant, now houses the National Civil War Centre and the Newark Museum and provides exhibition spaces, offices, an education suite, community rooms and visitor facilities.

Purcell oversaw the works, which involved the sensitive repair and re-servicing of five buildings with a Grade II* listed, 16th century school at its heart. Modern internal additions were removed and the original finishes repaired to reveal the original form of the spaces.