His Royal Highness The Earl of Wessex will officially open the National Civil War Centre on Friday 25 September.

The colourful royal event will set the seal on the £5.4m project by Newark and Sherwood District Council, backed by £3.5m from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), to create the UK’s first attraction dedicated to telling the epic story of the British Civil Wars.

The Earl of Wessex will unveil a plaque and tour the exhibitions featuring previously unseen relics from the period and cutting edge interactive displays.

The centre is housed in the restored Old Magnus Building on Appletongate which dates back to 1529 when it was used as a Tudor grammar school for boys.

His Royal Highness will also be invited to handle Nottinghamshire's very own crown jewel – a 2,000 year old golden torc (or necklace) found by a local metal detectorist in 2005.

Michael Constantine, Manager of the National Civil War Centre, said: 

“We are thrilled that HRH The Earl of Wessex will formally open the centre.  This project has taken many years of planning and hard work to realise so it will be a landmark day for everyone involved. It also gives us chance to salute the many partners who have made it possible including our volunteers and national lottery players.”