Old hall to be lit as part of history celebration

2 hours ago

Federica BedendoNorth East and Cumbria

News image — Workington Hall is Grade I-listed and was built around a pele tower dating back to the 14th Century

BBC A general view of Workington Hall, a sandstone castle ruin with no roof and with bars where the window opening are. It is set in a public park and a tarmac path leads to it. There is grass covered in fallen leaves at either side of the path. There are trees in the distance. The building has an arched doorway in the central block, with two small arched window openings above it. On the two blocks on either side there is a large arched window opening and smaller square window openings elsewhere on the building. — Workington Hall is Grade I-listed and was built around a pele tower dating back to the 14th Century

A town's historic landmark is set to be illuminated as part of a plan to celebrate the area's local heritage.

Cumberland Council said it would install ground-mounted lights around the Grade I-listed Workington Hall.

The building is the former home of the Curwens, Lords of the Manor of Workington, who sheltered Mary Queen of Scots at the hall in 1568 before her capture and execution.

The council said the ruin would be illuminated until 22:30 in the colder months only, with lighting focused on the hall to minimise impact on bats and other wildlife.

The building, which was built around a pele tower dating back to the 14th Century, sits in the Grade II-listed Hall Park.

The leader of the Labour-led authority Mark Fryer said it was one of Workington's most significant landmarks and the council was seeking to "celebrate our local heritage".

The project is part of the £33m Workington Gateway programme funded by the government, which saw the widening of the road surrounding the park between the A66 and the A596, the main entry into the town.

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