New visitor centre coming to Ham Hill country park

South Somerset District Council manages Ham Hill Country Park in Stoke-sub-Hamdon, near Yeovil, which forms part of the largest Iron Age hillfort in the UK.

The council unveiled plans in September to build a new visitor centre at the Lime Kiln car park within the site, as part of a £2m improvement programme supported by the National Lottery.

The council’s area north committee has now given the plans the thumbs up, meaning construction work could begin early in the new year.

The new visitor centre will include a café, permanent and temporary exhibition spaces, education facilities and space for informal play.

The existing car park will also be improved, with electric vehicle charging points being installed.

Martin Cook, who suffers from muscular dystrophy, told the area north committee when it met in Yeovil on Tuesday afternoon (November 22) that the visitors’ centre would enable more disabled people like himself to access and enjoy the full benefits of the countryside.

He said: “Despite my physical challenges, it is still possible for me to access the countryside with the right equipment and support.

“Tramper off-road mobility scooters can travel over stone, mud and grass. Through Countryside Mobility, a Devon charity, there’s the opportunity to actually have a tramper at Ham Hill available for people with disabilities to use.

“With the visitors’ centre, we’d then be able to have the volunteer and staff support to enable the training and support for visitors like myself to turn up and explore the countryside.

“A quarter of a million people in the UK need a changing place toilet to enable them to get out and enjoy the day-to-day activities which to most people are second nature.”

Artist's impression of new visitors' centre at Ham Hill Country Park in Stoke-sub-Hamdon. (Image: PAD Studio)

Steve Pullman, who lives in Stoke-sub-Hamdon and regularly volunteers within the country park, added: “The hill is what attracted me to move here in the first place. It’s always been surprising to me that such a gem, with such history and heritage, is rather low-key and not well-promoted.

“There’s quite a lack of knowledge in the area regarding the background to the park and the history. It’s going to be much better for all concerned if we can produce a centre that will enhance that.”

Councillor Mike Hewitson, whose Hamdon ward includes the site, said the centre would both aid with conservation efforts and make it easier for residents and visitors to understand the history surrounding it.

He said: “From my point of view, I think the opportunity here is enormous and I fully support what we’re trying to deliver. The opportunities in conservation and heritage, in terms of helping people to interpret the site, are enormous.

“If you go to The Newt and their brand new Roman villa, many of the archaeological exhibits which they display there actually came from Ham Hill – and it would be lovely to put some of those things back in the place where they were found.

“This could become a major stop-off point on the journey from London to the south west. I fully commend this – this is about securing the future of the site.”

Artist's impression of new visitors' centre at Ham Hill Country Park in Stoke-sub-Hamdon (Image: PAD Studio)

Councillor Crispin Raikes, who represents the neighbouring South Petherton ward, added: “I’ve been an occasional user of Ham Hill for about 40 years now, and we are so lucky to have an asset in our area which is so diverse in what it offers to different people.

“Just on a recreational level, it is amazing. Then you look at the history, and you’ve got little unique things like Tinker’s Bubble up there, which half the population don’t even know about.

“I think anything that can educate those people who do use it – and I’m sure more people will use it – has got to be a total asset.”

The committee voted unanimously to approve the plans after just over half an hour’s debate.