Whether you call it the old explosives factory, the quartermaster store, Fleet gallery or the agricultural building, work is well underway to turn this iconic structure at the heart of the park into the new Wat Tyler Centre, and the contractors report that completion is still on course for May 2009. The work will transform the building into a state of the art visitor centre with an 80 seat cafe/restaurant, conference, entertainment and education facilities.

The structure and design includes features that will minimise the building’s environmental impact. A large capacity water recycling tank has been installed and will capture the run-off from the huge roof, use some to flush toilets and transfer the rest to a series of ponds and a wetland that will provide new habitat for the wealth of wildlife already to be found at Wat Tyler.

Another great feature is the passive ventilation system.  No need for expensive pumps that use electricity. The air will be drawn in through four large ‘chimneys’ that will eventually be located on each apex of the roof.

A feature that nobody will see but all visitors will benefit from is the heating system – a wood-burning boiler. The wood – fast growing willow - will be grown and harvested at the adjacent landfill site, on a large, restored section of the lower slope. Once chipped and dried, the fuel will be transported the 400 metres to the new centre and fed into the boiler.

It’s a carbon neutral cycle – in simple terms, the willow grows and locks up the atmospheric carbon dioxide in its tissues. Then we dry and burn it, releasing the CO2 back into the atmosphere to be locked up again by the continuously growing crop.

Look out for the site boards that will be erected around the building, giving visitors an idea of what the finished centre will look like. The images on this site will soon include glimpses of the inside space as it develops.

Find out more about the Wat Tyler Project

Join us for a day in the woods. Make your own mud portrait, and try your hand at some traditional woodland crafts.

10am – 2.30pm.

Booking essential
8-12 years old.

£7.50 per child. Accompanied children only
No wheelchair access. No dogs.

Find out what lurks in The Wicks ponds, or come fang-to-face with some of its bugs and beasties. Why not try one of our pond dipping or minibeast sessions?

Pond dipping: 10.30am – 12pm
Minibeasting 1pm – 2.30pm

Booking essential
6-12 years old

£2.10 per child. Accompanied children only.
Wheelchair access. No dogs.

Wednesday 30th July
Thursday 7th August
Thursday 28th August

Find out what lurks in Wat Tylers ponds, or come fang-to-face with some of its bugs and beasties. Why not try one of our pond dipping or minibeast sessions?

Pond dipping: 10.30am – 12pm
Minibeasting 1pm – 2.30pm

Booking essential
6-12 years old

£2.10 per child. Accompanied children only.

Wheelchair access. No dogs.

Here are all the birds listed on our sightings board for February and March 2008: