Britain’s oldest scientific attraction will shut for 2 YEARS in £77million upgrade
THE OLDEST scientific attraction in Britain is set to close for more than two years – as it undergoes a multi-million pound renovation.
Visitors have just over two months to make the most of the site before it temporarily shuts.
The Royal Observatory Greenwich has confirmed it will close all buildings from November 2, as part of its “First Light” renovation project.
Following the closures, the 351 year-old site will begin its £77million renovation to transform the area with new galleries, displays and conserving the observatory‘s most historic sections.
Changes set to come include an upgraded visitor entrance, a new lift tower to the Great Equatorial Telescope, and a “revitalised” landscape.
A spokesperson for Royal Observatory Greenwich told News Shopper: “The First Light project represents the most significant transformation of the Royal Observatory in recent years and will secure the future of this internationally important site.
“Although visitors will not be able to access the observatory buildings during the redevelopment, we are committed to ensuring people can continue to engage with astronomy through a wide range of activities and events taking place.”
In place of the main observatory, a temporary planetarium and the Astronomers Take Over gallery will open at the National Maritime Museum.
The attraction is expected to remain closed until 2028 while works are being carried out.
The project, known as First Light, claims it will bring the story of the “historic site to life” and “make science and astronomy accessible to everyone”.
The landmark project was funded with the help of The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The Peter Harrison Planetarium at the site is currently already closed, having shut on September 5 last year.