Timewalk facts for kids
The Timewalk was a special exhibition and visitor attraction in Brewers Quay, Weymouth, Dorset. It opened its doors in 1990 and welcomed visitors for twenty years, closing in 2010. Timewalk was one of Weymouth's most popular places to visit. It took people on an exciting journey through the town's history, focusing on its connections to the sea from the 1300s onwards. The story was told by a friendly brewery cat named Miss Paws and her eight ancestors. The goal of the attraction was to "recreate the sights, sounds and smells, of six hundred years of maritime history."
Discovering Timewalk: A Journey Through History
After meeting Miss Paws, visitors explored nineteen different scenes called dioramas. These scenes showed important moments from history.
What Was the Timewalk Exhibition?
Timewalk was like a time machine that let you step into Weymouth's past. It used detailed models and sound effects to bring history to life. You could see how people lived and what big events happened in the town.
Exploring Weymouth's Past: Key Scenes
The exhibition covered many exciting parts of Weymouth's history. Each diorama was a snapshot of a different time.
From Black Death to Royal Visits
Some of the scenes included the terrible Black Death pandemic and the time the Spanish Armada tried to invade England. You could also see events from the English Civil War. Another scene showed how Portland stone was used by Sir Christopher Wren to rebuild London after the Great Fire of 1666. There was also a display about King George III visiting Weymouth, which made the town very popular. Other scenes showed local smuggling and how Weymouth became an important tourist spot after the railway opened in 1857.
Brewing History: The Brewery Days
The last part of the Timewalk attraction was called Brewery Days. This section taught visitors about the history of brewing beer in Hope Square, starting in 1821. It featured fun characters named Mr Malt, Mr Hops, and Mr Yeast, who were known as the Brewery Bunch.
The Story of Brewers Quay and Timewalk
Timewalk was part of a bigger project to bring new life to an old building.
Building a New Attraction: 1990
After the Devenish Brewery closed, the building was transformed into Brewers Quay. This new complex opened in June 1990. It cost about £4.5 million to build. Brewers Quay included shops, a pub, a restaurant, and indoor attractions like Timewalk and Weymouth Museum. The project was designed by John Sunderland. That same year, Timewalk won a special award called the "Come to Britain Trophy" from the British Tourist Authority.
A Popular Place to Visit
Timewalk quickly became one of the most popular attractions in the area. In 2004, a travel guide called the Rough Guide to Britain praised it. A report from the local council showed that about 41,000 people visited Timewalk in 2004. In the summer of 2007, Weymouth was the most searched location on VisitBritain's websites. This popularity was partly due to Timewalk and the Sea Life Park.
Why Timewalk Closed Its Doors
In 2010, Timewalk closed when Brewers Quay shut down for new development plans. The developers decided that Timewalk would not be part of the new project. They felt it was "no longer justifiable" because fewer people were visiting. A new indoor attraction was planned to replace it, but these plans did not go ahead. In 2013, Brewers Quay reopened as a place to buy antiques. The figures from the Timewalk exhibition were stored inside the building. In 2016, Weymouth Museum gave 18 of these figures to the antiques emporium. Some figures were kept there, while others were sold.
