Visitors to the Heights of Abraham this spring are invited to hold a conversation with the past, as live actors, depicting characters from the estate’s 233-year history have been added to the summit team until Jubilee weekend (4 June).
Former Victorian owner of the Heights Benjamin Bryan explains: “In my day, visitors had to climb up to the summit or travel by donkey, but these flying gondolas are amazing. A hundred and eighty years ago we would light fires on top of the tower to attract cavern tour customers, and it’s stupendous to see the tours are still as popular as ever.”
Five specially commissioned willow sculpture pieces, created by Caroline Gregson, and the living history actors are part of the Heights’ celebration of visitors from the past, which culminates with the opening of a brand new exhibition in the refurbished Masson Pavilion in mid-May.
Mid 19th century visitor Abigail Brassington chose a tartan outfit for her day out. “It’s all the fashion in Derby,” she explained, “After Queen Victoria’s purchase of Balmoral, everyone’s besotted with anything Scottish!” She went on to confess she was a bit baffled by modern-day visitors, who kept pointing “little boxes” at her and asking about selfies.
The live actors will be at the Heights Monday to Fridays until 4 June.
