The historical site with “10,000 years of Northamptonshire’s heritage brought to life” has started to welcome visitors to explore the grounds.
17 years after being purchased by the now redundant council and £14.5 million later, Kerry Purnell from North Northamptonshire Council’s said that it is “so exciting” to finally see visitors discover and enjoy the site.
Ms Purnell explained: “It’s been a very bumpy and challenging journey.”
The council were met with financial problems in 2017 yet continued to back the project, which was continuously growing in expenses, to avoid paying back the Heritage Lottery Fund which provided funding. The contractor, the Shaylor Group, entered administration in 2019, and the new contractors faced delays in 2020 due to the pandemic.
Labelled as a post covid hub, the estate is set to lead economic recovery for the area by promoting small businesses, regional food and drink, and local farming. The historical site also offers nine full-time jobs, 50 part-time jobs, seasonal jobs, and apprentices for students attending college and university.
The space will boost tourism and leisure with its archaeological archive, shops, restaurant, accommodation, conference spaces and a wedding venue.
Ms Purnell explained that the estate “can fund the really important education, and community outreach programme.”
Cllr Helen Howe, North Northamptonshire Council Executive Member for Sport, Leisure, Culture and Tourism, added: “We’re all very eager to see the positive impact this momentous development will have in the local area.”
You can currently visit Father Christmas at Chester House, with his last day at the estate being Christmas Eve.
The site is open seven days a week:
- 10am – 4pm every Sunday
- 9am – 5pm Monday to Saturday between February Half Term and October Half Term
- 10am – 4pm Monday to Saturday between November and Mid-February