Visitor facility improvements continue at Attingham Park
Attingham Park, the popular National Trust property on the outskirts of Shrewsbury is about to begin a new stage in its long term project to improve visitor facilities on site.
Over the past ten years Attingham Park has seen annual visitor numbers increase substantially, with figures reaching over 390,000 last year and the site becoming the fifth most visited National Trust property in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The Stables Courtyard at Attingham is the welcoming gateway to the Park and Mansion with Visitor Reception, the Stables Shop and Second-hand Bookshop, Carriage House Café and Dog Walkers Rest and visitor toilets located in and around the building. However, as visitor numbers have increased, these facilities have begun to reach capacity.
Subject to planning permission being granted, work will begin this autumn on new toilet facilities on the north side of the Courtyard.
The Stables Courtyard is a Grade II* listed building and was designed by George Steuart, for the 1st Lord Berwick in the 1780s, and as such the National Trust has carefully balanced the improvement of visitor facilities with the conservation needs of what have been described as ‘one of the finest stable blocks belonging to the National Trust and, indeed, one of the finest of its kind’.
Mark Agnew, General Manager said, "We are constantly looking at ways of improving and developing facilities for our visitors at Attingham. Careful consideration to the location and design of the proposed new toilets will increase the facilities available and includes a family room. The interior decoration will reflect the historic use of the stables, enhancing the atmosphere of the whole space.
"We also balance our visitors’ needs with the sensitives of introducing modern facilities into a historic building. After consultation with Historic England, local Conservation Officers and the National Trust’s own architectural specialists we’re ready to start this next phase of improvements.
"The National Trust is a charity and the support and visits from our regular local visitors is vital in helping us keep Attingham special forever, for everyone. It means we’re able to carry out conservation projects inside the Mansion, and outside in the Park and wider estate as well as develop areas such as the Stables Courtyard, Walled Garden and Play Area for our visitors to enjoy."
