We were delighted to be invited to visit The Story of Emily, a newly opened immersive historical experience in Liskeard, Cornwall. Years in the making, The Story of Emily blends history with cutting-edge technology to deliver a captivating experience like no other. Shining a light on the inspirational, yet largely forgotten woman from Cornwall, Emily Hobhouse, this interactive attraction brings to life her amazing story in a uniquely imaginative way.

Arrival 

On arrival at The Story of Emily, we didn’t know what to expect as we made our way down the well-maintained pathway leading to the reception area, the distinctive wattle of turkeys sounding from the other side of the wall. We were greeted by an impeccably dressed, friendly and attentive member of staff (the first of many), who welcomed us, signposting where we needed to go.

To begin, an introductory video was displayed in a state-of-the-art room, outlining some of what to expect during the visit. It gave a glimpse into the high-quality visuals and technology that form a large part of the whole experience. 
 
Our first look at the estate revealed a combination of modern design and architecture, sympathetically and creatively combined with historical features. The renovation has been completed conscientiously, with a meticulous level of attention to detail both inside and outside. Here, history is reimagined in a fresh way to prompt contemplation and conversation.

The Rectory

 
After a short stroll through the grounds, where ponies and turkeys roam free and colourful blooms line the way, the journey begins at Emily’s childhood home, The Victorian Rectory. Painstakingly restored by experts, The Rectory has been finished to replicate the year 1875, when Emily would have been 15 years old. 

Welcomed by another member of staff and invited to ring the bell upon entering, we were immediately drawn into the excitement and felt like we were stepping back in time. To further enhance the experience, all guests are asked to wear leather slippers, typical of the Victorian era. And in striking attention to detail, which we were coming to realise must be of the utmost importance to the creators of The Story of Emily, the tiles underfoot are heated, allowing for a seamless transition from shoe to slipper! 
 
Donned with headsets and our dashing new slippers, off we headed for a self-guided audio tour of The Rectory. As if by magic, upon entering each new room, the headset delivered information appropriate to that area, guiding us through key points. Thanks to this amazing technology, the audio guide wouldn’t begin a new section until entering the next area, meaning we could take our time exploring the Victorian decor and historical artefacts. There was so much to look at in each room; every element of the restoration had been meticulously thought about. We loved the wallpaper, which was a specially printed replica of the original, a part of which was discovered during the refurbishment, and can be seen on display.

The final part of the tour took us to the attic, housing the servants' quarters and a dedicated area for trying on Victorian-style clothes. We had so much fun dressing up, and were delighted to discover backdrops and lighting in the next room to create our own memorable pictures. This interactive activity encouraged us to immerse ourselves further into the life that Emily led.  

The Restaurant

 
After seeing where Emily spent her younger years, and learning more about her family and the history of the estate, we’d built up quite an appetite, which wasn’t surprising as the tantalising scents of the South African-inspired food drifted through the air. 

The restaurant at The Story of Emily is a place of modern architectural beauty. One colossal piece of glass lines the entire width of the restaurant, while large panes create an entire glass ceiling. This spectacular yet calming space is filled with natural light and offers a tranquil vista across the Victorian-inspired kitchen garden (complete with the free-roaming turkeys). 

We were waited upon by incredibly helpful and attentive staff, who guided us through the South-African menu, while the open kitchen tempted us with desirable dishes and tempting scents. It’s fair to say that we were very full by the time we’d devoured a delicious full heritage lunch, complete with traditional cakes and sweets. 

The War Rooms

Re-energised, we headed for our next destination: the much-anticipated War Rooms. We’d read about The Story of Emily before visiting, and noted the limited information available online. Therefore, we weren’t quite sure what to expect at this immersive historical experience. 

Upon entering the imposing building, it became clear why information provided regarding the experience is sparse... This is one of the few places where knowledge of what to expect would detract from the experience. And for this reason, we’ll try not to give too much away. 

As soon as we set foot inside, we were blown away! Mesmerised by what was around us, we struggled to focus on the lovely member of staff who greeted us. Once again, we were asked to change our shoes, this time into farming shoes typical of the time in South Africa. We found them to be comfortable and rather stylish! We were given high-tech headphones and directed to the start of our self-guided tour. With little idea of what to expect, we listened to the audio guide, which was prompted as we moved through each constructed room. 

The 1 hour and 45 minute journey took us back in time through reconstructed rooms and landscapes, battlefields and villages, significant places of interest, and even a full 3d virtual reality experience. As we journeyed through the labyrinth of rooms and darkened corridors, we were surprised by the extraordinary technological elements, astounding visuals, and the immersive aspects that awakened all of our senses! 

Absorbed in the life that Emily experienced, we learned how this incredible woman challenged the social norms of her time and shaped events a world away. Undeterred by the expectations of Victorian society, she fought to have her voice heard and bravely committed to improving the lives of women and children in British concentration camps during the Anglo-Boer War. 

Each room that we travelled through brought new surprises, new emotions, and further admiration for Emily and all that she achieved. 

Departure

Leaving the War Rooms, we felt overwhelmed and lost for words, having never experienced anything quite like this. With so much to take in, we knew we’d still be talking and thinking about everything we’d learned over the coming days. Whilst it was difficult to summarise our experience, we loved ending the day typing our feedback on typewriters! 

Be sure to look around the shop before you leave; there’s a wide selection of luxury items to purchase, from stationery and mugs to wine and jam. If you’re interested in finding out more about Emily, why not purchase one of the books about her life and continue the journey through time at home? 

The Story of Emily is one of the few places that you really must visit to understand and gain the full sense of what it really is, and we cannot recommend it highly enough! 

Good to know

Ahead of visiting, there are a few things we think are worth being aware of beforehand, so that you get the most out of your visit. 

- Self-guided audio tours of the Rectory and War Rooms must be booked in advance at: www.thestoryofemily.com
- Bags are not allowed inside the War Rooms or the Rectory, so you’ll be asked to leave them at the staffed waiting area, though you may take your phone and any valuables with you in a cute little bag if you wish.
- You’ll be asked to change your shoes into shoes reminiscent of the times in both The Rectory and the War Rooms.
- Photos and videos are prohibited in both the War Rooms and The Rectory, other than in the dressing-up rooms, where you’re encouraged to take pictures.
- The restaurant does not take reservations; simply pop in at a time that suits you. You must be attending the experience to visit the restaurant, or pass holders can visit the restaurant at any time and may bring up to four guests with them.
- There’s a children’s trail in The Rectory, however, the War Rooms are not suitable for under-fives, and parental consent is advised for children over the age of five, due to the content involved.
- There’s lots of standing/walking throughout the day, although each of the rooms in the War Rooms has 1-2 chairs so you can rest if needed.
- The War Rooms contain flashing lights and some distressing content, which some visitors may struggle with.
- The whole site is cashless.
- A selection of resident animals roam freely on the grounds. 

Book your tickets at: www.thestoryofemily.com

Tags: History