Client:          English Heritage
Location:     Bedfordshire, United Kingdom
Timescale:   2009 - 2011

Wrest Park is an English Heritage owned, Grade 1 listed property, set in extensive pleasure grounds on the site of historic parkland. Wrest is the seat of the de Grey family who owned land here from the 1260s and lived here from the early 14th century when John de Grey, 2nd Lord Grey of Wilton, built a chantry chapel at nearby Silsoe. Despite fluctuating fortunes the family remained at Wrest until the early 20th century, establishing a substantial estate that extends across five adjacent parishes today.

Cultural Innovations was commissioned by English Heritage to design a suite of exhibitions and displays across the property that brings to life Wrest Park’s historical and social scenes for the public. Historical vignettes filled with props and artefacts allow visitors a glimpse into the lives of the characters who lived there, how they influenced the estate’s evolution and an insight into what life at Wrest used to be like.

Wrest Park opened again to the public in August 2011 and quickly became one of English Heritage’s top ten visitor attractions.