Tourists welcome new visitor hub at landmark

Visitors to one of the Isle of Man's best-known attractions have welcomed a new visitor centre.

The new welcome hub at the Great Laxey Wheel opened its doors on Friday, replacing the former 1980s kiosk and entrance area.

People arriving at the attraction welcomed the changes, praising the design of the building and the continued investment in preserving the historic site. "It's great to keep investment into these historical sites, the turf roof is lovely, and it blends in really well," said Beverly, who was visiting from Cheshire.

Known as Lady Isabella, the Great Laxey Wheel was designed by Victorian engineer Robert Casement and completed in 1854 to pump water from the Laxey mines.

The 22.1 metre (72.6 feet) structure remains the world's largest working waterwheel and one of the Isle of Man's most recognisable landmarks.

The new visitor hub features a sedum roof, a type of living green roof, which Manx National Heritage says reflected its commitment to sustainability, while helping the building sit within the surrounding landscape.

For Mike Reynolds, who has worked at the site for nearly two decades, the difference is already clear.

"The old kiosk was so small, the two people working in there had to be good friends to share the space.

"It's so much more open now, we've had much more investment into keeping the Laxey Wheel spinning, and this beautiful kiosk is so much more welcoming to visitors."

Brian Connell, who has been visiting the Isle of Man since the early 1960s, said the attraction was a staple for the island's heritage.

"The work that has been put into preserving the place has been fantastic," he said.

He added he had seen the island's relationship with tourism change over the decades.

"I've seen the island go from the ethos of tourism in the 50s and 60s, to more of a financial hub, and now it is reinvesting in attracting visitors."

The Visitor Welcome Hub includes a new retail area and gift shop, an audio-visual display showing conservation work carried out on the wheel over the past three years, and facilities where visitors can purchase tickets for other Manx National Heritage sites.

The new Visitor Welcome Hub is now open daily during normal site opening hours.

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