A new visitor centre is open and ready for business at Crickley Hill Nature Reserve.

‘The Visitor Hub’ can be found adjacent to the Crickley Hill Café, and is free to enter.

The hub provides a space for visitors to discover Crickley Hill’s wildlife and trace the local landmark’s history, which stretches back to Neolithic times.

The building was constructed from recycled shipping containers and wooden clad to blend into the landscape, thanks to a grant from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) with additional funding from Grundon Waste Management through the Landfill Communities Fund.

Inside the new Visitor Hub, colourful panels uncover the archaeology of the Hill and illustrate the massive variety of wildlife found in all seasons.

There are also 3D models depicting reconstructions of iron age life at Crickley Hill, where between 1969 and 1993 a team of archaeologists carried out excavations and discovered nearly one million artifacts.

“Many people visit Crickley Hill for its incredible views or a bracing walk, but it is also a site rich in wildlife with a fascinating history,” said Roger Mortlock, CEO of Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, who co-own Crickley Hill alongside the National Trust.

“The new Visitor Hub gives a brief introduction to the history of people and wildlife at Crickley, and is a great starting point for a visit to the Hill.”

The Visitor Hub was officially opened by representatives from Grundon Waste Management, alongside Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, National Trust and the Crickley Hill Archaeological Trust.

The Hub is open daily to coincide with Crickley Hill Café opening times, which can be found at www.gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk