A new visitor centre and other improvements are on the way for an iconic Somerset landmark as a major project at Somerset Council’s Ham Hill Country Park starts soon.
The ‘Uncovering Ham Hill’s past for its future’ project has been made possible thanks to a £2.153M grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and further financial support totalling £111,200 from the Wolfson Foundation, Leonardo, and with the support of the Friends of Ham Hill, Garfield Weston, Bernard Sunley Foundation and the Bannister Trust.
The first works on site are expected to start next month, connecting water and power to the site of a brand-new purpose-built visitor centre next to the Lime Kiln Car Park.
The aim is to start the visitor centre build itself at the end of March, with the goal to complete this autumn – though as with any construction project the schedule can be affected by unforeseen factors, such as the weather.
The new visitor centre will feature a café and changing places facilities and host permanent exhibitions and interactive displays, to make Ham Hill’s stories accessible to all. The project also aims to support local schools and community groups with educational resources.
Thanks to the generous Heritage Fund grant, Somerset Council has welcomed two new members to our team to help deliver the project: An Assistant Ranger and Engagement Ranger have joined the Council’s two permanent rangers Paul and James and our incredible group of volunteers. Together, their work will help conserve and celebrate the rich heritage and nature of Ham Hill including:
- Heritage Conservation: Protecting and showcasing the wealth of archaeology at Ham Hill, including its status as one of Europe’s largest Iron Age hillforts.
- Biodiversity Enhancement: Improving habitat management to support a diverse range of species and ecosystems.
- Community Engagement: Offering educational programmes and interactive exhibits to engage visitors with the history, geology, wildlife and natural beauty of Ham Hill.
- Visitor Experience: Developing new ways to help people explore Ham Hill with an accessible visitor centre, a café and permanent and temporary themed exhibitions.
Councillor Graham Oakes, Somerset Council’s Lead Member for Public Health, Environment and Climate Change said:
This is an exciting time for the Ham Hill community. We can’t wait for visitors to see and experience the positive impact of these efforts. We are committed to making Ham Hill an accessible place where people can connect with nature and history in meaningful ways, ensuring this much-loved historical beauty spot is preserved for future generations and continues to be a wildlife haven for nature to thrive.
This project will also serve as a model for heritage and conservation efforts across Somerset, inspiring similar initiatives throughout the county. As part of the council’s plan for a greener, more sustainable Somerset, we aim to promote environmental stewardship and sustainable tourism.
We are extremely grateful to the Heritage Fund and other generous benefactors for their amazing support—without them, this project would have just been a dream.
Get involved
If you would like to get involved at Ham Hill through volunteering or find out more about the activities on offer for your group or organisation, email countryside@somerset.gov.uk
To keep up to date with the project’s progress, follow Ham Hill Country Park’s Facebook page or go to visitsouthsomerset.com.
