An external elevated viewing platform and staircase allowing public access to the town battery section of the curtain wall where spectacular 360 degree views enable an appreciation of the defensive strengths of the site and a sense of how the castle dominated the town and harbour below it.
The structure is designed to compliment an earlier platform installed within the ruined castle keep, being freestanding imparting no loads on to the adjacent historic masonry other than the lateral restraint fixings.
The design mixes traditional and modern materials and techniques together with timber beams and columns sized to reflect the massive masonry walls but of laminated construction using stainless steel bolts.
The timber is all English oak (Quercus Robur) air-dried seasoned for the staircase components, handrails and boarding.
The project was completed in 2000
Client: English Heritage
Contractor: Wm Birch
Joinery Contractor: Hare & Ransome
Structural Engineer: DAC Wood
