A pair of Chester’s most historic buildings are being turned into a stunning new family attraction designed to transport visitors back through the gory history of medicine.
The ‘Sick to Death’ attraction will feature never-before-seen archaeological discoveries and let visitors re-live the plague-ridden, disease infected eras of days gone by.
It will also feature Chester’s now famous Plague Doctor along with a series of interactive exhibits that are set to shock, thrill and educate visitors of all ages.
And visitors will have the chance to explore the science behind some of the most gruesome diseases that ravaged Chester throughout the centuries.
Housed in two 14th century towers – the Water Tower and Bonewaldesthorne’s Tower on Chester’s world famous Roman Walls – the ambitious project will open to the public in late July.
The Horrible Histories-inspired ‘Sick to Death’ attraction is the creation of Chester-based award winning social enterprise Big Heritage, which signed a lease for the towers with Cheshire West and Chester Council earlier this year.
The attraction has been made possible thanks to funding from global charitable foundation, Wellcome.
If it proves a success in 2016, it could be made into a permanent attraction for the city – and breathe life into more historic landmarks that have laid empty and unused for decades.
It will also become the first new attraction in Chester city centre for many years.
Archaeologist Dean Paton, who is the managing director of Big Heritage, said: “We can’t wait to let the public into these two incredible 14th century towers with our amazing new family attraction, Sick to Death. The doors haven’t been opened for decades so to bring them to life in this way is so exciting.
“Chester has such an incredible story when it comes to the history of medicine and Sick to Death brings that alive in so many ways. It’s going to be gruesome, gory and, most of all, great fun for families living in and visiting the city this summer. And you might even get the chance to meet the Plague Doctor.”
Greer Roberts, Sustaining Excellence Manager at Wellcome, added: “When Dean came to us with his proposal, we felt it was a very exciting proposition to establish a new attraction in Chester and bring the history of medicine to a whole new audience.
“We are very pleased to be involved in this important project and we are sure the attraction will be a big hit with families and kids of all ages.”
