Norfolk tourist attraction's expansion plans
Victoria LeggettDetails of a major revamp of a top Norfolk tourist attraction have been revealed by the military enthusiast determined to bring his historical collection into the 21st century.Victoria Leggett
Details of a major revamp of a top Norfolk tourist attraction have been revealed by the military enthusiast determined to bring his historical collection into the 21st century.
Sir Michael Savory, owner and co-founder of the Muckleburgh Collection at Weybourne, near Holt, wants the new and improved museum to have a stronger focus on restoration, preservation and education.
Key to the changes will be a new two-storey building at the centre of the site which will house a large restaurant on the ground floor with a lecture room above.
Sir Michael said: 'We don't have a lecture area at the moment for school children and we need somewhere for them when they visit.
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'We are also developing a tank demonstration area which will be in view of the restaurant.'
The work has recently been given planning permission along with proposals to create a new shop, reception and toilets. The existing shop will be used as an extra display hall.
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Construction should begin in the next couple of months and it is hoped it will be completed by the start of next year's tourist season.
Sir Michael said the new buildings would give visitors modern facilities without losing the site's sense of history.
He said: 'The key thing is, these buildings are all 1940s vintage - which means the toilets inside them are 1940s vintage.
'But, having said that, I don't want to change the character. When you look out here, you are genuinely looking at buildings that represent the 1940s. I want to keep that.'
Sir Michael also plans to improve displays and restore more of the former military camp's original features.
The collector said: 'A really prestigious event will be the reinstatement of the gun emplacements. We will do it as it was in 1943, with the barbed wire entanglements. It will be very impressive and a potential set for filming.'
The Muckleburgh Collection was opened in 1988 by Sir Michael and his father Berry Savory.
