Candie busy as main museum opens doors after lockdown
GUERNSEY MUSEUM has been busy since reopening this week and Castle Cornet will soon follow.
The castle and its museums reopen on Saturday 18 July, but its cafe will remain closed.
But this summer the noonday cannon will not be heard until at least September.
Candie Museum and Art Gallery reopened, alongside Cafe Victoria, on Thursday.
‘It was really busy on our first day of reopening. We really loved to see lots of visitors again,’ said acting head of heritage services Helen Glencross.
‘We’re running loads of family-friendly activities. If museums and heritage aren’t your thing, you can always enjoy the views, food and things to do.’
However, not all museum services are being offered this summer.
The maritime museum at Fort Grey and the German Naval Signals HQ are to remain closed to mitigate expected losses.
‘We have had to adapt some of our usual operations, so we acknowledge that we have reduced offerings this year and want to encourage as many repeated visits as we can,’ Mrs Glencross said.
Part of the reduced offerings includes the suspension of the noonday gun.
Normal admissions prices to the castle will apply, and there is also the Discovery Pass, which allows unlimited access to museum sites.
Mrs Glencross said they were taking into account that people had not been able to use the annual pass earlier this year.
‘Discovery Passes bought since October are now valid all the way through to December 2021,’ she said. ‘If anyone buys one this year, that will also be extended, and we fully endorse the staycation message.’
Cafe Victoria at Candie is open daily.
‘Castle Cornet’s cafe is closed partly due to building work which was delayed during lockdown, and also because of predicted losses, but there are loads of great spots for a picnic,’ said Mrs Glencross.
Free music event Castle Nights starts on 17 July for four weeks on Fridays, with free entry in the evenings.
This weekend is also expected to be busy at Candie.
‘Our new exhibition – A Journey into the Hidden Natural World – is on now until 27 September, a lovely, bright and colourful exhibition,’ Mrs Glencross said.
‘Photographer Michael Crutchley uses microscopes to present things in a way never seen before. Our technicians have been busy and the lighting is stunning, it really makes the images pop.’
n Visit museums.gov.gg for further details.
