Upton Country Park in Poole has a new Welcome Centre complete with a bio-diverse living meadow roof now open. It will serve as a front door to the park and provide improved facilities for visitors, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery Community Fund.
The Mayor of Poole, Councillor Tony Trent, will help open the new building.
It will boast interactive and immersive displays which will bring the park’s history to life, provide a glimpse inside the Grade II* listed Upton House, and will explore the importance of the varied landscapes within the park.
Three bug hotels have been created and framed in the building’s walls alongside swallow nest cups and bat boxes to encourage even more nature into the park and around the centre.
New unisex toilet facilities, accessible toilets and baby changing facilities will also be available at the centre, which will officially open its doors to the public from 10am on Saturday 17 December.
The centre was delivered as part of Upton Country House’s Discovery Project and has been supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery Community Fund, as part of its Parks for People programme.
Councillor Mark Anderson, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Place at BCP Council, said: “The Discovery Project continues to deliver significant improvements across the Park, benefiting our visitors, volunteers, and local schools.
“The opening of the Upton Country Park Welcome Centre is a significant milestone for the Project that has been made possible by funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and The National Lottery Community Fund, BCP Council and the Friends of Upton Country Park.
“Construction of the centre was delivered by Greendale Construction Ltd, and contents overseen by Imagemakers. Visitors will now be able to learn more about the history of the estate, alongside the wonderful range of events, activities and wildlife that the park continues to support today.”
Stuart McLeod, National Lottery Heritage Fund Director for London and South said: “We are thrilled to celebrate the opening of the new Welcome Centre as part of the larger Discovery Project.
“This has been supported thanks to money raised by National Lottery players as part of the Parks for People programme. The £1.5million grant has helped to improve the visitor facilities, restore the historical features and reinstate lost landscapes at Upton Country Park. With community at the heart of the restoration, this ambitious makeover ensures this Grade II* listed building, and its surrounds will be enjoyed by visitors and the local community for many years to come.”
The Welcome Centre will play host to the start of the Christmas Woodland Adventure trail, running from 17 December 22 until 01 January 2023. Visitors will also be able to shop from the new retail offer, perfect for last minute Christmas shopping. With a range of products, there is a treat to be had on any budget.