Plantation Gates and Lodges at Haigh Woodland Park to open after major restoration

The historic Plantation Gates and Lodges in Wigan are due to open to the public next week after extensive renovation, turning them into an art installation and visitors’ centre.

The buildings will open on Saturday 4th July, with an opportunity to view the immersive visual experience in the North Lodge, developed by regional artists Leo Mercer and James Hooton.

The bespoke artwork, What the Walls Remember, has been designed and produced by the artists and a team of illustrators and is brought to life through music, light and storytelling, which looks at the lodges and Haigh’s history and landscape.

It was shaped through workshops involving former lodge residents, visitors, staff and volunteers at Haigh Woodland Park, Royal Albert Edward Infirmary and young people from Wigan Youth Zone. They  were asked to draw their favourite areas of Haigh, with these incorporated into the eight-minute installation.

Since work began on the Grade II* listed lodges last year, the roofs have been fully restored using Burlington Blue slates, the same used on the Hall and Bothy Cottages. The original chimneys have been reinstated, with a roof light added to the North Lodge to allow natural light into the building. Stone repairs have been completed along with mortar raking out and repointing.

Bespoke window frames have been installed, including traditional sash windows in keeping with the original style, with colours matching the windows on the Hall. A gentle stone clean has also been carried out on the exteriors of the lodges and archway, and the gates and railings have been shot blasted, repaired and redecorated.