The Creative Core, a leading interpretation design company for museums, heritage and culture, has been selected to deliver the design and build of Stori Brymbo, a new visitor attraction in North East Wales.
This ambitious, community-led project is set to develop a world-class visitor attraction at the former Brymbo iron and steel works site. Its centrepiece is an internationally significant fossilised forest, dating from the pre-dinosaur, Carboniferous Period.
The experience will begin at the purpose-built Fossil Forest centre, where visitors can watch the meticulous live excavation of ancient trees. From here, they will embark on a visitor journey spanning over 300 million years, from the prehistoric environment to the trailblazing industry of the Brymbo Ironworks, a Scheduled Monument with a 200-year history.
Natural, industrial and social history
The Creative Core will work with Brymbo Heritage Trust and the local community to create an engaging visitor experience. New interpretation will explore nature, industry and people in the landscape, revealing surprising connections and echoes through time.
Nicola Eaton-Sawford, chief executive of Brymbo Heritage Trust, says: “The Creative Core were awarded this contract because we loved their energy, their innovative approach and their pragmatism. They will not only design the spaces with us but will build them too. We’re incredibly excited to work with them and benefit from their wealth of experience.”
“We are excited to be joining the Stori Brymbo project at this critical point on its journey to becoming a world-class visitor attraction,” says Nichola Ward, creative director at the Creative Core.
“Our design will support the project’s mission to save, celebrate and harness the amazing natural, industrial and social heritage of Brymbo, creating a visitor experience that connects prehistory to our world today. We look forward to working with the project team and local people to bring these stories to life.”
See also: The Creative Core designs Museum of the Year finalist Museum of Making
Stori Brymbo is expected to open in Spring 2026 and will include interactive and immersive exhibitions, a café, a learning centre, maker workshops, parkland, and a community space for cultural activities and events. In the custom-designed excavation centre, visitors will get a close-up view of the Fossil Forest and watch expert palaeobiologists and community volunteers at work.
The project is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the National Lottery Community Fund, Cadw and Natural Resources Wales, WCBC, and Brymbo Developments Limited.
The Creative Core recently designed and built a visitor experience at the Peace Museum in West Yorkshire, UK. The design employs a Think Feel Do approach, which uses storytelling and artefacts to engage visitors and inspire action, and flexible displays that can accommodate growth in both the venue’s visitor numbers and collections.
