Amazing views of the city from the top of Canterbury’s historic Westgate Towers Museum will once again be on offer when it reopens to the public for the summer on Friday 4 May. The city council has been very keen to reopen the attraction to continue the work of local businessman and entrepreneur Charles Lambie following his death in January. Discussions have taken place with the executors of his estate to allow it to happen.
The museum will be open every day between 10am and 5pm until September. Entry prices will be in line with those at the council’s other museums in the city, with children and Residents Card holders going free. Any existing tickets with a six month expiry bought under Mr Lambie’s guardianship will be honoured.
The City Gaol Café, which Mr Lambie created as part of his redevelopment of the building, is not included in the reopening. Executive member for culture, Cllr Ann Taylor, said:
“There was a collective shock in the city when the news came of Charles Lambie’s death, but we hoped it would be possible to carry on his wonderful work with the Westgate Towers Museum, because it is one of our most historic buildings. I’d like to thank the executors of Charles’ estate for their help with getting the museum open. It means our residents and visitors have another great attraction available to them again.”
A decision on what might happen in the long term will be taken in the autumn, once the council has assessed how successful the summer opening has been.
For more information on the Westgate Towers Museum and other museums in the district, go to the dedicated museums website . The council has also created a special joint ticket offering entry to the Westgate Towers Museum, Canterbury Heritage Museum and Canterbury Roman Museum for £12.