Visitors will find the doors to two important Suffolk heritage centres open for a year of return visits, with the introduction of a new heritage ticket this spring.
From Monday 26 April, tickets bought at either West Stow Anglo Saxon Village or Moyse's Hall Museum in Bury St Edmunds will entitle the ticket holder to free return visit both sites for the rest of the year.
St Edmundsbury Borough Council, which manages both museums, has made the move so that more people can explore the uniquely preserved 1500 year history of the area and take part in the many events organised to bring history to life.
Neil Anthony, Head of Leisure said,
"The borough cares for collections of national importance and we want to make them available to as many people as possible. Interest in history is running high at the moment and feedback from our visitors tells us that they would like to come back again, which will be possible with this ticket. It will also attract new visitors, because it is such great value."
The heritage ticket will cost £6 for an adult when bought at West Stow and £4 at Moyses Hall. The ticket must be produced at every visit, so it can be date stamped. Neil Anthony adds,
"The ticket price is very competitive compared with similar regional attractions and can be used for all the popular costumed and themed events during the year, which cost extra elsewhere. We will continue to have free days at both sites."
The new ticket replaces the current ticketing policy, which gives free entry to Moyse's Hall Museum to borough residents.
Neil Anthony explains,
"About half the visitors to Moyses say they live in the borough, which suggests that the museum is greatly valued. Residents have also told us that they think that that Heritage Services should be paid for by the people who use it and not be free. As Heritage is not a statutory service, it has to pay its way but we believe that the majority of Moyse's supporters will be happy to pay £4 a year to visit and that such great value will also attract extra visitors. The free days during the year mean that anyone unwilling or unable to pay will still be able to see the collections."
Ends
Notes
|
Location
|
Residents of the borough
|
Adult
|
Child/ concession
|
Family
|
| Current prices |
| Moyse's Hall |
Free |
£2.60 |
£2.10 |
£8.20 |
| West Stow |
Pay |
£5.00 |
£4.00 |
£15.00 |
| Heritage Ticket prices |
| Moyse's Hall ticket |
Pay |
£4.00 |
£2.00 |
£9.00 |
| West Stow ticket |
Pay |
£6.00 |
£4.00 |
£18.00 |
Issued by Sally Easton Communications Unit, St Edmundsbury Borough Council. Phone: 01284 757033. Email: sally.easton@stedsbc.gov.uk
