Somerset Council has announced that the brand-new Visitor Centre at Ham Hill is now open and ready to welcome visitors.
Situated within the Lime Kiln Car Park, this development marks a major milestone in the Uncovering Ham Hill’s past for its Future project, made possible thanks to the support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Wolfson Foundation. Their funding has enabled the construction of the centre, preserving and celebrating Ham Hill’s rich heritage for generations to come.
Watch the following short video for a first look inside the new Ham Hill Visitor Centre:
The new Visitor Centre offers a range of facilities designed to enhance the visitor experience, including the new Limekiln Café – a welcoming haven offering refreshments and a dog-friendly atmosphere. In addition to the café, visitors can enjoy a variety of new amenities, including:
- A retail space featuring local products and gifts
- Engaging exhibition spaces showcasing Ham Hill’s fascinating past and its vision for the future
- A gallery to tell more of Ham Hill’s stories through changing exhibitions and local arts and crafts
- A fully accessible Changing Places facility and modern toilets
All income generated from the café supports Ham Hill and its future.
The holiday opening hours are as follows:
- Wednesday 17 to Monday 22 December: open 8am until 4pm
- Tuesday 23 to Thursday 25 December: closed
- Friday 26 December: open 10am until 2pm
- Saturday 27 to Wednesday 31 December: open 8am until 4pm
- Thursday 1 January: open 10am until 2pm
- From Friday 2 January onwards: open 8am until 4pm, 7 days a week
The Visitor Centre is more than just a building; it is a place for learning, discovery, and community. Whether visitors are there to explore the history, enjoy the landscape, or simply relax with friends and family, the Visitor Centre serves as the perfect starting point for a visit to Ham Hill.
Further enhancements are planned to complete the new Visitor Centre, including the addition of a natural play space called the Hillfort Hideout, a relaxing outdoor seating area, and wildflower planting.
The Heritage Fund journey is ongoing, with 2 more years of funding ahead to bring further improvements and experiences to life. The coming years will see:
- Fresh activities and events to inspire and involve our community
- New exhibitions inside the Visitor Centre
- Waymarked footpaths for easier exploration
- Interpretation panels sharing the stories and secrets of the site
- Upgraded footpaths in our busiest areas
- Enhanced biodiversity along field margins
- Additional tree planting to enrich the landscape
- Archaeological restoration on the historic ramparts
- Continued dry stone wall restoration preserving heritage craftsmanship
- Improvements to the Wildwood Play Zone
- New volunteer opportunities for those who want to get involved
The Visitor Centre is just the beginning, with much more to come.
Stuart McLeod, Director, England – London and South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said:
We are delighted to support the transformation taking place at Ham Hill. The new Visitor Centre is an inspiring gateway to one of the UK’s most significant historic landscapes, helping people connect with its incredible stories and improving access for everyone.
This project is a wonderful example of how heritage can bring communities together, boost local pride and create lasting benefits for people and nature.
We’re excited to see even more unfold as the wider programme continues to restore, celebrate and protect this remarkable place, thanks to National Lottery players.
Paul Ramsbottom, Chief Executive of the Wolfson Foundation, said:
We are delighted to have supported the creation of this new Visitor Centre. It will give visitors of all ages the opportunity to deepen their understanding and appreciation of the site’s heritage and cultural significance, while also enriching their experience of its surrounding landscape.
Councillor Graham Oakes, Lead Member for Public Health, Environment and Climate Change, said:
The new Ham Hill Visitor Centre is a fantastic example of how heritage, health, and sustainability can be connected. By creating a space that encourages people to explore the outdoors, learn about history, and enjoy nature, the centre promotes physical and mental wellbeing for all.
The centre’s modern facilities, including accessible amenities and exhibition spaces, make Ham Hill more inclusive than ever. For generations, local people have enjoyed coming to this special place, and this new centre further enhances those visits. This project also reflects a commitment to tackling climate change by supporting local engagement with the environment and inspiring future generations to protect these precious landscapes.
Visit today and be part of Ham Hill’s story.
