Visitor figures soar to half a million
A National Trust property near Shrewsbury has passed a major visitor milestone.
Annual visitor numbers for Attingham Park, Atcham soared over 500,00 for the first time.
Despite a year that saw unpredictable weather – snow last March, showery downpours last April, and an exceptionally hot summer, visitor numbers rose, and the year ended with a mild and sunny February half term that saw over 29,000 people visiting the estate.
Now for the first time visitor numbers have grown to over half a million reaching over 514,000.
Visitor numbers have climbed over the past 13 years, from 2006 when Attingham was welcoming just over 150,000 visitors per year to its mansion and parkland. In 2007 year round opening of the park commenced and over subsequent years Attingham’s popularity has grown as more areas were opened up with walks developed across the park, a large playfield created, the Walled Garden restored, the Re-discovered project brought the mansion to life and extended opening alongside major investment in visitor facilities.
Mark Agnew, general manager said: “At the heart of everything we do is our conservation work, a dedicated team of staff and volunteers care for Attingham so that current and future generations are able to enjoy the best of what Attingham has to offer. This well established Shropshire estate, is a special place for many within Shropshire, and loved by the people who visit, volunteer and work here. Whether it’s a visit to the Mansion, a walk through the estate, or running off steam in the Field of Play - we’d like to say a huge thank you to all of our visitors for their support.
“The consistent support of our loyal local audience means that we are able to invest in the conservation and care of this vital green space to ensure we fulfil our core charitable purpose of being for ever for everyone.”
In 2019, the team at Attingham will be sharing more about the work that takes place across the estate to protect nature and care for wildlife as part of the year long programme ‘Grow Your Green Roots’. Attingham is a haven for nature, from the tiny saproxylic insects that have found the ideal habitat on a part of the estate designated as a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest), to the herd of fallow deer that are resident in the Deer Park.
Throughout the year visitors will be able to find out more about the work that takes place, how they can get involved, and to take away ideas for how to help care for nature in their own home, garden or other green places.
