Britain’s Ice Age ‘home’ Unveils Stunning New Visitor Centre

June 6, 2010 - PRLog -- Legendary TV presenter David Attenborough officially opened the striking new Creswell Crags complex on the 27th June 2009. The new centre overlooks the stunning limestone gorge and was the world’s most northerly outpost of Ice Age tribes.
Honeycombed with a network of caves, Creswell Crags is internationally recognised as home to Britain’s only known cave art and will become the UK’s first national focus for the Ice Age when the new museum hosting permanent and travelling exhibitions opened its doors on 27th June.
Featuring some of the most remarkable Ice Age artefacts ever found, the new visitor attraction will provide a fascinating glimpse of life during the last Ice Age, between 50,000 and 10,000 years ago.
Already a world-renowned archaeological gem, the new complex will help Creswell Crags put itself on the tourism map as a unique visitor attraction where the human story of Ice Age Britain is brought to life.
Rich in discoveries, including ones from around 55,000 years ago when humans first visited the area, Creswell Crags ‘star’ attractions include unique cave art and an animal rib engraved with a horse’s head - the first examples of Ice Age art ever found in Britain.
“Britain has long lacked a place which could function as a focus – a focal place - where both national and international audiences can learn about the Ice Age; Creswell Crags now has the potential to be that centre and inspire visitors about the lifestyles of our early ancestors at a place that held special significance for them,” said Rebecca Clay of the Creswell Heritage Trust.
The free to enter visitor centre boasts a café with floor to ceiling glass walls, offering panoramic views over the limestone gorge below, while the exhibition spaces will house state of the art displays, including temporary exhibits from the British Museum and the Natural History Museum.
“Our new centre will celebrate the ‘spirit of the place’ by aiming in to provide a range of activities and something for everyone of all ages, as well as the exceptional cave tours for which Creswell is renowned,” added Rebecca.
The dramatic landscape of the limestone gorge offers peaceful surroundings for a picnic; a host of paths for walking as well as a lakeside trail and is open every day throughout the year for free.
The new visitor centre and museum at Creswell Crags, which is working towards achieving World Heritage Status, will also house an education suite to boost its work with schools and groups from across the country as well as the permanent and touring exhibition spaces.

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Creswell Crags is a world famous archaeological site with caves and lake. It is home to Britain’s only known Ice Age Cave Art. Cave tours run on weekends and school holidays. Touring exhibitions and fun family events and run throughout the year.