Whitby Abbey Headland Project
TGP was commissioned in 1998 to provide Specialist Landscape Architectural Services for English Heritage’s Whitby Abbey Headland Project, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Awards:
2002 - RIBA White Rose Award | 2003 - Europa Nostra Award | 2003 - Civic Trust Special Award for Access | 2003 - RIBA Award
This involved a partnership of all principal landowners of the Abbey Ruins, open headland and Abbey House complex, as well as a funding package from public and private resources, including English Heritage, Scarborough Council, the Strickland Constable Estate and Countrywide Holidays.
Project approach and deliverables:
- Archaeological investigation.
- New Museum and interpretation.
- Restoration of the 17th Century North Entrance Courts.
- New car park.
- New southern entrance building to the Abbey Grounds.
- New visitor circulation.
- Removal of the original car park and restoration of the Headland.
TGP created landscape proposals to meet the following objectives:
- To maintain the broad, open landscape character of the Headland and the Abbey Grounds.
- To ensure that a robust circulation system enables the visitor to experience the Headland, the spirit of place and the complex historical layering.
- Provide access for all to experience the Headland.
- Integration of interpretation.
- Avoid conflict with/prejudicing the archaeology.
The landscape proposals included the following aspects:
- Historical research in connection with the 17th-century gardens and the Cholmley family.
- Entrances and the design of the visitor circulation system.
- Pond restoration.
- Restoration of the formal entrance courts as a fitting context for the museum, which is housed within the shell of the hall which formed the Cholmley family home.
- Provision of a landscape management plan.
