Improving the Visitor Experience at Poole's Cavern Visitor Centre

This project is to transform the entrance areas of the free admission spaces at Poole's Cavern Visitor Centre, focusing visitors minds on the amazing natural wonders that the charity protects and maintains. These includes some of the worlds fastest growing stalactites and stalagmites within the two-million year old showcave, and one of the most ecologically diverse amenity woodlands in the High Peak. By better presenting information, the project intends to instil greater pride in visitors from the local community, encouraging them to get involved as volunteers, whilst provoking thought and debate with visitors from further afield. The caves currently attract over 50,000 visitors, whilst Buxton Country Park attracts many more, acting as a ‘green lung’ for the residents of Buxton – a place that supports wellbeing, used by many for leisure, education, exercise and relaxation.

Visitor and staff feedback suggests that the entrance areas are in desperate need of modernisation, with many people wanting to know more about the rare species that the sites support and the positive impact upon the environment the charity is having. The project will work with expert designers to better position the charitable objectives of environmental protection – updating interpretation via engaging and colourful vinyl graphics and 4 display screens that will facilitate rotating messages which can be updated with latest news and scientific findings, as well as visitor offers and opportunities for the community to get involved.