We have prepared over 60 Interpretive Plans over the last 22 years and, in many situations, been asked to implement our proposals which we have project managed with interpretive designers, researchers and scriptwriters.  We provide a comprehensive service including obtaining planning permission and matching funding applications.

Arran’s Archaeological Heritage

Undertook a comprehensive review of Arran’s Archaeological Heritage and developed a strategy for maximising its cultural, recreational, economic, community and tourism potential. The work included extensive site appraisal, consultations  and desk research to prepare the strategy which was accepted by Historic Scotland, Cunningham District Council and Argyle and Islands Enterprise Company.
The strategy led on to three further assignments:
The design and erection of gates to restrict access into King’s Caves (a Scheduled Ancient Monument) which had been suffering vandalism (an inaccessible site on the west coast of Arran)
The design and construction of a new path system linking a new car park at Mackrie Moor to King’s Cave
The design and development of the key recommendations of the strategy – the Arran Discovery Centre located close to the standing stones at Mackrie Moor.  The scheme successfully secured funding but was aborted upon receipt of tenders following local government reorganisation.

Isle of Bute

With an emphasis on stimulating public access into rural Bute, but with sensitivity to the potential impact of visitor pressure on the daily lives of the community, the strategy was based on effectively structuring and managing the visitor experience, providing visitor orientation and interpretation when and where visitors need it and developing a network of themed trails for walking, cycling and riding.  A range of innovative interpretive techniques were proposed.

Linlithgow Palace

Historic Scotland sought technical advice as to the potential to roof the North Wing of Linlithgow Palace to create a major new exhibition telling the story of Mary Queen of Scots who was born in the Palace.
The study, which included technical engineering and architectural appraisal, storyline research, interpretive design and visitor management proposed a visitor route from a new car park located to the east of the town centre using the original eastern entrance into the Palace.  The return route proposed a visit to the church and an exit into the High Street thereby bringing economic benefit to the local community.
The study was approved by Historic Scotland and incorporated in their capital programme. 

Dunaskin Open Air Industrial Museum (Scheduled Ancient Monument)

A 200 acre Scheduled Ancient Monument in the heart of the Doon Valley (Ayrshire) for which we prepared a Visitor Management Plan and Interpretive Strategy and implemented over £200,000 of interpretation, signage and a new visitor centre in order to structure the visitor experience and help visitors get the most out of the site and the surrounding industrial landscape.

Stratford upon Avon

As an input to the overall Visitor Management Strategy we prepared an Interpretive Strategy using our themes : markets : resources model.  This included desk research to identify the core markets, visitor behaviour, interests and activities, storyline research, site appraisal and consultations.

Leicester

Preparation of Interpretive Strategy for the City of Leicester reviewing the themes and stories which encapsulate the City, identifying the key audiences and the resources that exist to communicate the stories.  The City has a remarkable history and cultural heritage including its Museums Service, which was integrated into an overall strategy for its presentation.

The study also included a signage strategy linking the key sites and facilities in the city centre together.

Old Town Leamington Spa

Managing the implementation of the recommendations of an Interpretive Strategy we previously prepared including orientation panels, interpretive panels, marker plaques and heritage trail leaflet.  Value £60,000.  Included research and scriptwriting, image research, obtaining all necessary approvals (planning permission, listed building consent and owner permission) and seeking sponsorship from a variety of sources.

Londonderry City Walls (NI Office) 

A comprehensive interpretive strategy to present the complex story of the city walls comprising interpretive panels, audio sound trail, visitor orientation, shelters, fingerpost signage, trail leaflets and the establishment of a co-ordinated management service.  Ian subsequently implemented a three-year capital programme comprising visitor orientation, interpretive panels and marker plaques.  It also led to a feasibility study into the enhanced presentation of St Columb’s Cathedral.

Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site

Preparation of an Access and Interpretive Strategy as an input to the World Heritage Site Management Plan.  The study involved extensive consultations, site appraisal of the monuments (and their wider landscape setting) and desk research to provide a practical range of proposals (with sketch design and costings) as to how to effectively present the stories of this unique area to visitors and local people in a way which is both appropriate and sustainable.

Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Preparation of an area wide strategy to provide a strategic framework and context for future interpretive provision across the AONB by a wide range of organisations who deliver interpretation.  The strategy involved extensive consultations and was launched at a seminar (February 2003). It sets out a wide range of recommendations for future action.

Gloucester and Sharpness Canal

We were asked by British Waterways to prepare an Interpretive Strategy for the 16 mile canal between Gloucester and Sharpness Docks.  This involved desk research, site appraisal and extensive consultations with the local communities along the canal.  The Strategy was approved and levered significant funding.  We were retained to manage the implementation of:

Anglesey (Mona Antiqua)

Preparation of a Regional Interpretation Strategy for Anglesey.  This has involved preparation of a database of scheduled heritage resources, analysis of the database coupled with site assessment and extensive consultations (including with local communities and Community Trusts) and the preparation of a Strategy and phased and costed Action Plan.  The strategy was approved and provided a strategic framework for future investment decisions in enhancing interpretation and tourism infrastructure at sites capable of accepting increased visitation.  The overall objective was to contribute to the economic regeneration of the island.

Brecon Beacons National Park

We were asked to prepare a major policy document as three separate stand alone park-wide strategies for information, interpretation and education and then, within the context of the strategy, make specific recommendations as to the role the National Park Authority should play in delivering each strategy.  In addition, we reviewed and identified the most appropriate role and function of the Danywenallt Education Centre, Mountain Centre, Craig y Nos Country Park and three Tourist Information Centres.  This culminated in a ‘Promoting Awareness and Understanding’ Business Plan.

The strategy was the subject of a series of workshops with members.  It was approved and the specific recommendations are being implemented.

Bridgnorth

Following an earlier strategy (1990) making recommendations in relation to the presentation of the town to visitors and local people which included proposals for marketing, environmental improvement, visitor management and interpretation we subsequently produced a detailed Interpretive Strategy and implemented the first phase proposals during 1993/94 including orientation maps, interpretive panels and marker plaques.

Bedford Town Centre

We were commissioned to prepare an Interpretive Strategy for the Town Centre recommending a phased programme of implementation.  This was approved (March 2003) and we have subsequently been commissioned to:

Halkyn Mountain (Flintshire)

Commissioned to prepare an Interpretation Plan for one of the most important lead mining sites in North Wales.  The study included extensive consultations and a public meeting.  A second stage of community consultation led to establishing a programme of implementation including educational resources, interpretive map and sculptural features at local schools.

Black Country Canals

Commissioned to prepare two parallel strategies (an Interpretation Strategy and Tourism Strategy) to maximise the tourism potential of the 130 mile Black Country Canal network.  The strategies were prepared in the context of wider Black Country and West Midlands strategies and made a wide range of recommendations in the form of costed and phased Action Plans.

Subsequently commissioned to prepare Interpretive Plan for Todd’s End to assess how the site can be used to tell the story of the Black Country canal system.

Trevor Basin and Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

Commissioned to prepare an Interpretive Plan for Trevor Basin and the adjacent Pontcysyllte Aqueduct which celebrated its bicentennial in 2005.  The project included the management of a Community Artist, Anthony Lysycia, who prepared a series of sculptural reliefs working on site with a range of community groups and visitors illustrating the interpretive themes of the site.

We held two Reminiscence Days during the study and subsequently produced a bilingual Interpretive Map.  We subsequently designed and installed orientation panels and project managed the development of an information point following the restoration of a former canal workshop.

Tring Reservoirs

We have prepared an Interpretation Plan for this much visited site in the Chilterns providing a detailed costed and phased Action Plan to improve the visitor experience.  Our work included running a Reminiscence Day inviting local people to share their memories and what, in their opinion, makes the area so special.  We also prepared a Signage Strategy aimed at rationalising the on-site instructional signage.

Hanwell Locks

We were commissioned to prepare an Interpretive Plan for a section of the Grand Union Canal between Bull’s Bridge and Brentford.  Our proposals had to take cognisance of the high level of vandalism in the area which led us to recommend interpretive exhibitions in community buildings, publications and people-focused interpretation using volunteers.

Coed y Brenin

We were asked to prepare an Interpretive Strategy for Coed y Brenin Forest Park to support an Objective 1 bid for a new visitor and education centre.  We reviewed the existing interpretation and considered the potential to develop interpretive and educational facilities at Tyn y groes.  A new centre has been built.

Battle of Sedgemoor (1685)

Prepared an Interpretive Plan to provide the context for proposals to interpret the Battle of Sedgemoor (1685) and make it more accessible for visitors and local people.  Recommended, and subsequently prepared, a ‘Your Heritage’ bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund securing a maximum £50,000 grant.  Was commissioned to implement a package of interpretive proposals involving 5 villages and 4 churches as well as the battlefield site itself

Greenham Common

The preparation of an Interpretive Plan and overall strategy for the former Airbase once it had been restored as a common (1997).  This included considering visitor access, parking, visitor orientation, the role of a visitor centre, on site interpretation, trails, cycleways, bridleways etc and how the stories of the site including its historical and ecological importance as a lowland acid heathland common, the story of the airbase, the nuclear dimension and the women’s peace movement should be told to visitors and local people.  The proposals needed to be sensitive to local feelings, practical, acceptable and achievable. They were approved.  Subsequently involved in the design development of the visitor centre and the introduction of artists to the project.

Moira Furnace

An interpretive and visitor management strategy for a Scheduled Ancient Monument in the heart of the National Forest together with a successful Heritage Lottery bid and RECHAR grant with particular emphasis on access, parking, role and function of a visitor centre, the interpretation of the furnace and its role in telling the story of the surrounding industrial heritage landscape.  This has been implemented and opened.

Other Interpretive Plans have been prepared for:

Saddell Abbey (Kintyre)

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard (Scheduled Ancient Monument) (ü)

Chiswick House (English Heritage)

Calderdale (published by Civic Trust 1987)

Cumbria

Roman Silchester (Scheduled Ancient Monument)

Woodlands of Ironbridge Gorge (World Heritage Site)

Ludlow Castle 

Moel Famau (Denbighshire)

Newborough Forest and Warren

Cwmcarn Forest

Lower Wye Valley

Gwydyr Forest

Brechfa Forest

Dee Valley (Denbighshire)

Around the Solent

Priory House Dunstable (ü)

Hubbards Hills (Louth)

North Devon AONB

Arnos Vale Cemetery

Shire Hall Monmouth

Sherborne House (Dorset)

Sheffield Manor Lodge

Monmouthshire Woodlands

Bestwood Engine Winding House

Tudor House Museum (Southampton)

Strawberry Line (North Somerset)

Midland Road Bedford