Lake District Visitor Centre's future

Last updated: 26 June 2009

We are planning to develop the Lake District Visitor Centre at Brockhole into a world-class visitor attraction. Here is a summary of the latest update: Lake Visitor Centre passes initial test

What will the new Lake District Visitor Centre contain?

An immersive cinema with physical effects. This will inspire visitors about the special qualities of the national park whilst entertaining and surprising them.
A large triple-storey flexible exhibition and event space - to promote what the Lake District National Park has to offer.
A large new cafe facility
Cumbrian retail facility including farm shop
21st century interpretive areas telling the World Heritage Story of the importance and special qualities of the Lake District, its geology, culture and the interaction between man and the environment. This will make the link between the Lake District, the writers, poets and artists it inspired and the modern conservation and sustainability movements that grew from their influence.
A “taster” indoor climbing wall and indoor and outdoor adventure play

Improved transport and access

We want to improve the transport and access by:

Building a new lakeside ferry hub to allow the large ferries to dock and allow for a local waterbus stop
Build a new off-set roundabout on the A591
Increase car-parking with park and ride provision and provide coach and scheduled bus provision on site
Improve foot and cycle paths connections into the site

New watersports centre

We will build a watersports centre targeted at the taster market – focusing on canoeing, kayaking, sailing and windsurfing.

Restored gardens and grounds

We will restore the Grade II listed Thomas Mawson designed gardens including:

Interpretation
New arrival facilities at the jetty
Use of the meadow as a large outdoor event spaces capable of taking crowds of 3,000-5,000

New woodland-based activities

We will build a treeline walkway and high ropes taster facility

Brockhole House

We will restore the exterior of Brockhole House and commercially let the building using the annual income to assist with the ongoing maintenance and adaption of the garden.

What's happened so far?

So far we have held three public consultation events at the Lake District Visitor Centre at Brockhole, met with Windermere Town Council and South Lakes Parish Council, spoken with business leaders in the area and are arranging to speak to the Lakes High School Council.

Changes already happening

New entrance signs were put up for Easter weekend
Windermere Lake Cruisers have introduced Brockhole as a request stop from Bowness, in addition to the regular service from Waterhead
The café has a new cook to order menu with local and homemade produce which is already proving a success
Saturday 20 June 2009 there will be a free canoe and kayaking event at the centre in association with Windermere Canoe and Kayak, where families and beginners can have a go and experienced paddlers can try out the latest crafts.
Saturday 20 June 2009: In the evening the premiere and judging of the Rainchasers community film festival will take place in the Centre
During the holidays, including this half term, alongside the whole series of events, there is a giant zip wire and mobile climbing wall in the grounds
In August there will be a farmers market and a Lakes Alive event in the grounds

What's next?

Over the coming 3 months consultation will continue through our website, on displays in the centre where visitors will have the chance to make their comments and recommendations, through the local press including parish magazines and the continuing series of focus group meetings will take place to tackle each of the important areas of the scheme.