New centre for replica Iron Age attraction

[Beth M]

New centre for replica Iron Age attraction

Published Date: 10 March 2010

A new eco-friendly visitors centre is set to be built at a replica Iron Age farm.
Butser Ancient Farm, in Chalton Lane, Chalton, has seen its visitors soar by 10,000 to 20,000 over the last 10 years.

A bid had now been launched to build a £150,000 visitors centre at the site, which was founded in 1972 as an archaeological research site.

Reconstructed roundhouses and a villa at the farm give an insight into the life of Romans and Celts in ancient Britain.

The Doctor Who serial The Mysterious Planet was filmed at the farm.

The new building will include an education and exhibition area, new toilets, and green-friendly features such as rainwater storage and waterless urinals.

Staff at the site hope it will pull in more visitors to the farm and this could benefit the villages of Chalton and Clanfield. New jobs are also likely as visitors increase.

A planning application is currently being considered by East Hampshire District Council.

If approved, building work could start in May.

Source: Portsmouth Today