Star comment: Thousands enjoying transformed Shugborough
It is great to see so many people flocking to see how the National Trust has transformed the Shugborough Estate.
In the first week since the 900-acre estate, the ancestral home of the Earls of Lichfield, re-opened on March 21, and helped by some splendid spring weather and Mother's Day, 5,647 visitors have passed through the gates at Milford Common, near Stafford,
The trust is determined to reverse the decline in annual visitors to the beautiful estate experienced in recent years under management by Staffordshire County Council.
It took back responsibility for running Shugborough last year and during the almost six months of autumn and winter closure, which began at the end of September, it has ploughed £1 million into revamping the estate, which includes the Mansion House and Grade I listed parkland.
Parts of the estate which were not previously accessible by visitors have been opened up, the car parking improved, new walks introduced, fencing reduced and a new reception and cafe at the estate farm created.
The trust, which hopes to stem losses in operating Shugborough, hopes to see visitor numbers reach 250,000 from last year's 84,000 and the first week has seen a good start to that.
Hopefully continuing good weather through the spring and summer will see the number of people making a visit to the estate and joining the National Trust continuing to grow – 51 signed up for membership in the first week.
Already the trust has had plenty of positive feedback from people who have appreciated what has already been done to conserve and develop Shugborough including allowing people to walk up to the magnificent Triumphal Arch. Also the new flat £12 admission charge, which includes parking, does not seem to have deterred visitors.
There have been some teething problems but the work to transform the estate is still in progress with a new woodland play area not opening until May and the Mansion House Tea Room to re-launch at Easter.
