In the atmosphere of cut-backs we find ourselves in, it is indeed refreshing to hear about the success of the Lake District Visitor Centre at Windermere - Brockhole.
The next monthly meeting of the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) members will be told the strategic masterplan redevelopment programme for Brockhole is well on the way to turning around the fortunes and future of the centre.The man in charge, Programme Director Adam Thomas (right), will explain how the number of people visiting the popular lakeside attraction is increasing and at the same time the centre is dramatically reducing the financial impacts it has on the LDNPA’s overall budget.
His interim report detailed how, in July 2007, the authority set out its intention to turn Brockhole into “a world class visitor attraction”. Already the centre has been transformed by:
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| The new jetty at Brockhole - photo courtesy of LDNPA |
- building a new jetty to accommodate all Windermere Lake Cruises’ ships;
- creating a Tree TopTrek woodland adventure course;
- increasing watersports availability;
- improving catering facilities; and
- developing greater retail opportunities.
Visitor numbers to the centre have increased from under 100,000 to 230,000 and the amount of subsidy required has fallen from £315,000 to £187,000 in the current financial year.
In November, members will receive an updated report detailing in full future plans for areas such as: building a new visitor centre; garden restoration; improving viewing areas; staging large-scale events; car parking; and access changes to the main entrance.
With the news of so many visitor facilities facing reduced opening hours or indeed closure, it is fantastic news to hear about the success of Brockhole.
Please let us know what you think about this news by leaving comments below.
This sounds good and I have brought 2 groups to Brockhole this summer and it is much improved. However, I have been told that a Monkey Puzzle tree is to be cut down as it is not part of the original Mawson garden. There are plenty of things in the garden now that have nothing to do with Mawson - a Tree Top trail over head for a start! Why ruin a perfectly good tree which has interest to people and would surely have been planted by a Victorian traveller? This information might not be correct, but I am just commenting to find out more please! Melanie Carter
ReplyDeleteYes - a heck of a shame about that now iconic tree - what were they thinking of?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/news/10009608._Chain_gang__in_protest_against_plan_to_fell_Brockhole_monkey_puzzle_tree/
The redevelopment programme for Brockhole is interesting and sounds great.If it is for the best of everyone then you have my support guys.Thanks for sharing an informative post.
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