Five of the UK's historical attractions have received an £11 million fund from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HFL). A bridge, seaside pier, A World War II submarine, a cathedral and a castle conservatory will be restored and repaired, allowing campers and motorhome users with a passion for history to explore them.
The Transporter Bridge
Located in Middlesborough, the transporter bridge is a popular attraction which is set to receive £2.6million. The bridge is only one of three transporter bridges left in the UK. First opened in 1911, Middleborough's transporter bridge is a grade II listed building and at 851 feet, is the longest bridge in the world. The bridge offers a unique appearance and consists of two independent structures at the centre of the River Tees. Each half of the bridge is 140 feet and then cantilevers around 285 feet from the lower leg to meet the other structure on the opposite bank.
The bridge is still used and operates every fifteen minutes between Middleborough and Port Clarence 18 hours a day. It provides a two-minute crossing of the River. The £2.6 million grant will help to fund new lifts and a gondola, which will enable members of the public to see views from the top of the bridge. Educational visits and tours will also be held on the bridge.
HMS Alliance
HMS Alliance is a 66-year old vessel that is located in the Royal Navy Submarine Museum in Gosport. The vessel was one of 14 Amphian Class submarines built for service in the Far East in World War II. These submarines were built to provide high surface speed, long range and comfort for the crew to enable larger patrol areas and longer periods at sea.
The Alliance was commissioned with a submarine snorkel and had anti aircraft guns, a low conning tower with 4" gun mounted at the front. After the war, changes were made to the Alliance to prepare it for a role in the Cold War.
The HMS Alliance became a memorial ship and a visitor attraction in 1981. The ship was dedicated to those British who died during service. The attraction will receive £3.4 million, which will help to restore the ship and will go towards repairs of the bow and stern. New facilities for visitors will also be added to the museum.
Wakefield Cathedral
Wakefield Cathedral will receive £1.58 million. The grade I listed building dates back to Saxon times, with one part, the north aisle, dating back to 1150. Most of the cathedral was rebuilt in the 15th century and adopted a Perpendicular Gothic style. The building was then restored back to its late medieval appearance between 1858-74 by Sir George Gilbert Scott, a cathedral architect.
The cathedral is home to the tallest spire in Yorkshire and will receive better heating, flooring, lighting and better access with the lottery grant.
Penarth Pier Pavilion, Vale of Glamorgan
One of the last remaining piers in Wales, Penarth will receive 1.65 million of the heritage fund. The pier was built in 1895, when Penarth was a top UK holiday destination. The original structure consisted of cast iron with a timber deck and was used as a promenade and landing jetty for the steam ship trade. In 1926, the pier was sold to the Vale of Glamorgan Council and was given a concrete landing stage and an art deco pavilion, which helped it to become a popular attraction for tea dances and events.
In 1931, most of the pier was destroyed in a fire, with only the pavilion remaining. It was rebuilt but damaged again in 1947, when a ship, the Port Royal Park, was forced into it by a storm. The pier took two years and £28,000 to rebuild, but further disaster struck when a similar incident occurred nineteen years later, this time with the paddle streamer Bristol Queen destroying it.
Restoration of the pier began in 1994 and it reopened in 1998. However, work on the pavilion was still needed and the £1.65 million grant will help to restore and redevelop it to make it suitable for use as a cafe, cinema, observatory and multi-purpose community complex.
Wentworth Castle Conservatory, Barnsley
One of the last surviving Victorian winter gardens in Britain, the conservatory at Wentworth Castle in Barnsley is due to be restored using the £2.4 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The iron glasshouse was built in 1877 for Frederick Vernon-Wentworth. It was featured in the first series of the BBC's "Restoration" in 2002.
The conservatory shows early use of electricity by a family and is loved by locals and visitors, who have sponsored 200 panes of new glass. The estate is a popular attraction and is known for being home to the UK's finest collection of rhododendrons.
The grade II listed building, which is currently only being held up by scaffolding, will be fully restored using the lottery grant.
The Transporter Bridge
Located in Middlesborough, the transporter bridge is a popular attraction which is set to receive £2.6million. The bridge is only one of three transporter bridges left in the UK. First opened in 1911, Middleborough's transporter bridge is a grade II listed building and at 851 feet, is the longest bridge in the world. The bridge offers a unique appearance and consists of two independent structures at the centre of the River Tees. Each half of the bridge is 140 feet and then cantilevers around 285 feet from the lower leg to meet the other structure on the opposite bank.
The bridge is still used and operates every fifteen minutes between Middleborough and Port Clarence 18 hours a day. It provides a two-minute crossing of the River. The £2.6 million grant will help to fund new lifts and a gondola, which will enable members of the public to see views from the top of the bridge. Educational visits and tours will also be held on the bridge.
HMS Alliance
HMS Alliance is a 66-year old vessel that is located in the Royal Navy Submarine Museum in Gosport. The vessel was one of 14 Amphian Class submarines built for service in the Far East in World War II. These submarines were built to provide high surface speed, long range and comfort for the crew to enable larger patrol areas and longer periods at sea.
The Alliance was commissioned with a submarine snorkel and had anti aircraft guns, a low conning tower with 4" gun mounted at the front. After the war, changes were made to the Alliance to prepare it for a role in the Cold War.
The HMS Alliance became a memorial ship and a visitor attraction in 1981. The ship was dedicated to those British who died during service. The attraction will receive £3.4 million, which will help to restore the ship and will go towards repairs of the bow and stern. New facilities for visitors will also be added to the museum.
Wakefield Cathedral
Wakefield Cathedral will receive £1.58 million. The grade I listed building dates back to Saxon times, with one part, the north aisle, dating back to 1150. Most of the cathedral was rebuilt in the 15th century and adopted a Perpendicular Gothic style. The building was then restored back to its late medieval appearance between 1858-74 by Sir George Gilbert Scott, a cathedral architect.
The cathedral is home to the tallest spire in Yorkshire and will receive better heating, flooring, lighting and better access with the lottery grant.
Penarth Pier Pavilion, Vale of Glamorgan
One of the last remaining piers in Wales, Penarth will receive 1.65 million of the heritage fund. The pier was built in 1895, when Penarth was a top UK holiday destination. The original structure consisted of cast iron with a timber deck and was used as a promenade and landing jetty for the steam ship trade. In 1926, the pier was sold to the Vale of Glamorgan Council and was given a concrete landing stage and an art deco pavilion, which helped it to become a popular attraction for tea dances and events.
In 1931, most of the pier was destroyed in a fire, with only the pavilion remaining. It was rebuilt but damaged again in 1947, when a ship, the Port Royal Park, was forced into it by a storm. The pier took two years and £28,000 to rebuild, but further disaster struck when a similar incident occurred nineteen years later, this time with the paddle streamer Bristol Queen destroying it.
Restoration of the pier began in 1994 and it reopened in 1998. However, work on the pavilion was still needed and the £1.65 million grant will help to restore and redevelop it to make it suitable for use as a cafe, cinema, observatory and multi-purpose community complex.
Wentworth Castle Conservatory, Barnsley
One of the last surviving Victorian winter gardens in Britain, the conservatory at Wentworth Castle in Barnsley is due to be restored using the £2.4 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The iron glasshouse was built in 1877 for Frederick Vernon-Wentworth. It was featured in the first series of the BBC's "Restoration" in 2002.
The conservatory shows early use of electricity by a family and is loved by locals and visitors, who have sponsored 200 panes of new glass. The estate is a popular attraction and is known for being home to the UK's finest collection of rhododendrons.
The grade II listed building, which is currently only being held up by scaffolding, will be fully restored using the lottery grant.
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