National Trust set up shop at Queenswood Country Park

Herefordshire Council and the National Trust have entered into a partnership to help continue an important service at Queenswood Country Park.

The National Trust is to take over the Countryside Visitor Centre in early July on an initial three-year lease, and will assist the Council's Parks, Countryside & Leisure Development Service with the provision of important visitor support services.

This includes providing visitors with information about the site, along with the provision of leaflets and trail guides and the Electric Mobility Vehicle hire service, as well as a small Tourist Information Point.

The Trust will also use the centre as a gateway to National Trust properties in the county, to highlight the charity's important work, recruit new members, and sell a range of quality goods through the retail outlet, including local produce.

Rob Hemblade, Parks, Countryside & Leisure Development Manager for Herefordshire Council, said "We're very excited to be entering into this new partnership with the National Trust and we believe that it will be very beneficial to the Country Park and Arboretum and its 500,000 visitors per year."

The National Trust looks after a range of special places in Herefordshire, including three historic properties - Berrington Hall, Brockhampton Estate and Croft Castle; a riverside garden at The Weir; and over 3,000 hectares of countryside. 

David Bailey, National Trust General Manager for Herefordshire, said: "We're delighted to be working with Herefordshire Council to provide these important services for visitors to Queenswood, and to have the opportunity to raise the profile of our work and encourage visitors to explore their local National Trust properties.

"We know that many people from Herefordshire enjoy visiting the special places that we care for across the County, but we want to reach out to even more local residents."

Queenswood is Herefordshire's only country park and has free car parking, toilets and the Queenswood Café.

There are three way-marked trails and easy access paths so that everyone can enjoy the park as well as a picnic and barbecue area, a popular adventure play area and a free 'seaside style' telescope at the view-point. 

Queenswood Country Park is on the A49 between Hereford and Leominster - follow the brown signs at the top of Dinmore Hill. Alternatively the 492 bus service departs Hereford and Leominster at regular intervals throughout the day.