Timewalk
Prepare to be taken aback as you embark on the Timewalk journey - winner of the coveted BTA "Come to Britain Trophy" in 1990 (known as the “Tourism Oscars”). An extraordinary journey tells the story of Weymouth's turbulent past and strong maritime connections as seen through the eyes of Miss Paws, the brewery cat, and her 8 feline ancestors. The journey takes you back in time to the 14th century and recreates the sights, sounds and smells, of 6 hundred years of maritime history.
You begin in the office of Mr Cross, the brewery archivist, who has been sorting through the brewery records since it closed in 1985. Here you meet Miss Paws and enter through the magic door to embark on your fascinating journey.
Although Weymouth's known history begins in Roman times, it was the sea that had the most influence on the town. Your journey relates the tales of the "Black Death" that was brought to England via the port of Weymouth and Melcombe aboard ships from Europe. As you move on through time, you meet Shifty the cat that saw the Spanish Armada approaching, and the looting of the Galleon the San Salvadore before she exploded in Weymouth Bay.
As you step off the deck of the San Salvadore you find yourself in a pitched battle of the Civil War between Royalists and Roundheads as one side of the harbour fought the other. But it doesn't last for long before you meet Periwinkle Lint, Sir Christopher Wren's cat, and hear about the famous London buildings constructed from Portland Stone.
This leads to the golden age when Weymouth was famous as a Royal Spa hosting frequent visits by King George III who had been advised by eminent physicians to take the sea air, try sea bathing and even drink the sea water, as a cure for all manner of ailments. You can peep into the original bath used by the King and see his bathing machine.
Despite the royal patronage, his reign also marked the golden age of smuggling as over 1,300 items were added to the statute book to be taxed to help pay for Britain's foreign adventures. In a tiny cave you meet Dartington O'Keefe, the smugglers cat, who talks about the "owlers" hooting down the shore, the famous Portland Lerret boat and the villages where the trade in contraband lace, silk, tea, tobacco, wine and rum was common place.
After all that, you find yourself sitting on a sand castle listening to Lucky Chance your seaside guide, telling you about the booming tourist trade following the coming of the Railways in 1857.
Brewery Days
Your journey has now transported you to the upper vat room with its well-trodden floorboards and copper-lined timber fermenters. As well as having fun with 'Mr Malt' and 'Mr Hops' you learn about the rich history of brewing in Hope Square, before being served a well-earned real ale taster (only if you are over 18) in the Drum and Dancer Tasting Bar.
To get back to real time, your tour takes you past the giant coppers, brewery memorabilia and a gallery of items from the museum, before you magically emerge back on the ground floor and into Ship to Shore.
Enjoy Reduced Admission to The Timewalk
Fill in this voucher, then print it out and bring it with you when you visit for a great family discount. |
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