From wasteland to wonderland
Wyvernwood, Alresford Hall, Essex
Wyvernwood is a themed family visitor attraction which opened in summer 2022. This beautifully constructed adventure play park set against stunning natural woodland sees the vision of the owners of listed Alresford Hall brought to life. Working with the family since 2017, Rural Solutions helped to deliver this new attraction which has utilised land and the natural setting of the estate to create a magical adventure land.
Photography (c) Wyvernwood
To deliver a viable new estate-based enterprise to fund the maintenance and restoration of the estate and its Grade II Listed house and gardens.
Following the purchase of an adjacent dilapidated horticultural nursery site to extend their landholding, the owners of Alresford Hall asked Rural Solutions to help identify how they could utilise this site, along with their existing land to establish a new enterprise on the estate.
Starting with market research to understand the potential customer base, our analysis showed that this location was prime for a themed family attraction. From this, a concept was developed for an exciting new adventure play experience. This proposal captured the client’s imagination and a creative concept formed, which has become the Wyvernwood experience.
The planning and design process was complex with a series of challenges to overcome requiring sympathetic design to consider heritage, ecology, archaeology, neighbouring property and woodlands, traffic generation and noise. Rural Solutions led the development of a compelling application – including design and operational proposals - which delivered a successful planning outcome for this ambitious project at its first committee meeting.
Following the successful planning outcome we worked with the construction and operational teams to shape the delivery programme, value engineer the budget, discharge planning conditions, ensure Covid-compliant design and visitor operations and manage the procurement and delivery of the construction scheme. A member of our executive team become an ongoing advisor to the Wyvernwood board.
Outcome
Wyvernwood opened to the public in summer 2022.
Give us a call on 01756 797501 or email info@ruralsolutions.co.uk
We'd be delighted to have a chat.
Farm shop, café & play
Expansion of an established family farm shop and Pick-Your-Own business in the Green Belt.
