Gedling Country Park Visitors Centre

Visitor Centre, Café and Community Facilities

AJA was appointed to design a new visitor centre for Gedling Country Park, creating a contemporary café and public facilities to support the growing number of visitors to one of Nottinghamshire's most popular green spaces.

Our Role

Working with Gedling Borough Council, AJA designed a modern, accessible visitor centre that enhances the park experience while responding to the site's industrial heritage. The project was delivered within a challenging programme and budget, transforming a former colliery site into a welcoming destination for the local community.

The Brief

Following the successful opening of Gedling Country Park in 2015, visitor numbers quickly exceeded expectations, creating demand for improved facilities.

The brief was to provide a high-quality café, public toilets and flexible visitor facilities that would complement the landscape, improve accessibility and encourage people to spend more time enjoying the park.

The Design

Positioned at the highest point of the park, the building takes advantage of panoramic views across the surrounding countryside through large picture windows and generous glazing. Two outdoor seating areas and a dedicated serving hatch improve visitor flow during busy periods, while a glazed link provides convenient access to public toilets from both the café and the park.

The contemporary black, angular form references the site's coal mining heritage, creating a distinctive landmark that sits confidently within the landscape while remaining visible from across the park.

Despite the challenges of constructing on a former colliery spoil heap, the project was successfully delivered to a demanding programme and within budget.

The Result

The completed visitor centre has become a popular destination within Gedling Country Park, supporting increased visitor numbers and providing high-quality facilities for the local community. Its success has helped strengthen the park's role as a valued recreational asset and has supported further investment in the surrounding area.