Poole Museum will reopen parts of its site tomorrow after three years of redevelopment.
Visitors will be able to access the newly restored Scaplen’s Court and Garden for the first time all year round, along with a brand-new café and outdoor seating.
A new lift makes the historic building fully accessible, and indoor capacity has increased to over 250 people.
The redevelopment has been funded by over £10 million from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, BCP Council, Arts Council England, Historic England and other partners. It more than doubles the public space without the need for new construction.
This first phase offers a preview of what’s to come later this year, when the full museum reopens with six new galleries across five floors.
Features will include three maritime galleries, the UK’s largest public collection of Poole Pottery, and new spaces for temporary exhibitions.
A new museum shop opens Saturday 26 July, and event bookings are available online. Admission to the museum remains free.
The museum’s refreshed identity and facilities aim to attract a wider audience and reinforce its place as a cultural hub for Poole and the surrounding area.