New outdoor activity space opens at Ham Hill

A new outdoor activity hub has been built at Ham Hill thanks to the generosity and support of the Friends of Ham Hill, who raised over £15,000 to fund it.

Still to be named, the new facility will be situated near the new visitor centre which is due to open later this year.

The activity hub will provide a sheltered space designed for outdoor creative and educational activities, offering an accessible location for schools, community groups, and visitors to explore Ham Hill’s heritage and wildlife, as well as for developing new skills.

Paul McNeil, Head Ranger at Ham Hill, said:

“In just 2 days and with the help of our supplier and team of brilliant volunteers, we dug 9 holes, mixed 2 tonnes of concrete, spread 3 tonnes of woodchip, and built a fantastic new outdoor learning space!

"This was a first-time build for both our rangers and volunteers, and everyone picked up new skills along the way. The result is this 8-metre canopy situated in a perfect spot for outdoor education and creativity, which will comfortably shelter a class of 30 children.”

Reflecting the site’s Iron Age history, the activity hub will eventually feature a wattle fence and ham stone walls using locally sourced sustainable materials.

While final touches are still underway, we’ve already hosted events and expect it to be fully operational early next year. Further improvements are planned, and ongoing generous support and donations from the Friends of Ham Hill will help bring them to life.