Studio Hardie were commissioned to carry out the feasibility, audience engagement strategy, design, build and were main contractor in the creation of this new offer at Dover Castle. 

This project represents a radical new approach by integrating play with interpretation in actual historic locations. So often play is marginalised to the corner at heritage sites. Every intervention provides the opportunity to learn through play, blending historical content and interactive STEM.

The designs were evolved in collaboration with Mather & Co and in consultation with Historic England and English Heritage experts, including historians, curators, interpretation and operations, as well as fire safety and accessibility consultants and the conservation architects Avanti. We collaborated with Aivaf on the mechanical interactive design and build and worked closely with Paye and The Hub on the delivery of the whole project.

The project seeks to tell the complex layered history of Dover Castle’s northern defences and the great siege, through interactive and accessible play. Given the importance of the site and its historic fabric, all the playful interventions have direct historical references and convey important narratives and learning about the castle and its history.  The designs were developed to sit sensitively in the castle grounds, to avoid obscuring or negatively impacting on key views, are non-gratuitous in form and content and are located to offer maximum accessibility.

The interventions are largely interactive, offering learning through play, and are complemented by traditional graphic panels in each area. The equipment includes a series of interactive ‘table-top’ activities, STEM installations, siege engines, and structures to encourage physical play. The interventions were designed to specifically engage younger and family visitors but have interpretative value for all.

From the outset of the project ‘access for all’ has been a key aspiration. As the historic arrangement of the castle excludes some users from accessing all areas, the outside playful interpretations have been designed and positioned to ensure a significant accessible experience.

The resulting offer brings the northern defences to life with a cohesive and interrelated set of interpretational interventions.  Much of the bespoke equipment was pioneering as it brought museum type interactive equipment outside and was built of timber.  A life-sized siege engine strength challenge, fireable catapults, repelling encroaching ladders of the castle walls, a trapdoor maze, concentric castle pinball, climbing and tunnelling, all with experiential learning outcomes for all ages.