Biffa Award Welcome Building

Moving the carpark away from the downs gave us the opportunity to provide a bigger and better welcome for all visitors.

When the charity began in 1985, membership signups were organised from a small car park portacabin. Previously the only contact we had with our visitors was through their car window as they bought a ticket. So we were thrilled when the Welcome Building opened in June 2014.

Here visitors can be properly welcomed, find out more information about their visit, signup for membership and pick up a mobility scooter.

On a bright sunny day in June 2014 we celebrated the opening of the Welcome Building, by our Patron the Duchess of Cornwall and a number of project donors and supporters.

The Welcome Building is continually evolving. The beautiful curved timber-framed building has been a hugely positive addition, providing a hub for information, membership signups, and additional interactive interpretation for all who visit.

This building heralded the transformation of the downs restoration and our chief ambition, to restore the arboretum to its former glory.