THE visitor centre at Stonehenge is celebrating its first birthday today after a “spectacular” year that included visits from royalty, world leaders and Paddington Bear.
Since opening one year ago the centre has welcomed 1.3 million people, which is a record for the monument, and a nine per cent increase on the previous year.
The new attraction for visitors has exhibition space, Neolithic houses, cafe and a shop, something that general manager Kate Davies believes adds real value to the Stonehenge experience.
She said: “We have had so many people coming and staying all day, making the most of seeing the whole site.
“Often people forget that there is a whole World Heritage Site to explore and now visitors can park their cars here for the day.”
In addition the site also houses an educational centre which nearly 4,000 schools have used over the last year.
“We have had so much more interest from local people who are coming here as a place to bring their families.
“There has been a bigger take up of the residents’ pass and many are also volunteering either as guides or in the Neolithic houses.”
The project is just phase one of the operation and when the new A303 tunnel is built the other two thirds of the site will be open to the public.
Kate says that apart from the celebrity visits one of the highlights for her was the relocation of Airman’s Cross to outside the visitor centre.
“That was really nice,” she said.
“Before it was just located on the side of the road so it was really great to be able to have the Shrewton Royal British Legion come here and have a proper service.”
Service of Remembrance at Airmans Cross
STONEHENGE Visitor Centre’s first year in numbers:
1.3 million visitors: A nine per cent increase on the previous year.
1 million: First World War Soldiers commemorated in a special memorial event at the Stones.
47,053: The number of English language guide books sold.
10,000 hours of labour by 65 volunteers to create five Neolithic houses.
5,500-year-old Neolithic man’s face reconstructed.
3,810 pupils from across Britain learning about the Stonehenge’s 5,000 year history.
Thousands of poppies and wildflowers growing around the new Visitor Centre.
250kg of grass seed planted on the former A344.
165 volunteers working in the galleries.
Nine parachutists jumped from a plane and landed in front of the Stone Circle to launch the Wiltshire Poppy Appeal.
Four babies born to members of the Stonehenge team.
Two architecture awards including RIBA South West and the prestigious Jørn Utzon Award.
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