Malahide Castle and Gardens is a fascinating site just north of Dublin.  In 2009 I worked with Bright 3D to establish an interpretation plan for the estate, developing the current castle experience, creating a vision for increasing access to the formal gardens and planning a brand new garden exhibition.

 

We are now implementing the proposals in preparation for the 2012 season. Highlights of the interpretive experience will be engaging new audio guides for the historic castle and lovely walled garden, a series of interactive displays in the family-friendly garden exhibition and sensitive interpretive installations and sculptural highlights across the gardens and estate.  The aim is to personalise the experience for visitors by introducing them to key members of the Talbot family, who owned Malahide for over 800 years.  In particular, visitors will be ‘led’ around the castle and gardens by Lady Isabel Talbot and her nephew Lord Milo, two of the last members of the family to live here.

 

Last spring I visited Howick Hall in north Northumberland for the first time, and enjoyed a glorious walk through the bulb-filled gardens. Over the summer I worked with designer Colin Williams to establish an interpretive concept for a new Gardens Visitor Centre for Lord Howick.

We developed a sensitive scheme that focuses on the world of plants and trees that grow in the gardens here, taking visitors on a journey of discovery of both the gardens and the Grey family that created them.  Earl Grey is perhaps best known for the tea named after him, but we hope to raise awareness of his exceptional political career as well.  Site visits to Howick have been a great excuse to drink regular vivifying cuppas in the delightfully traditional tea room!