Attingham Park struggled with huge boost in visitors

National Trust bosses admitted they were 'struggling to cope' with the significant rise in visitors at the 18th century Attingham Park, near Shrewsbury.

The figures show visitor numbers stood at 218,000 in 2008/09 but have now risen to almost 350,000 this year – a 60 per cent rise. And in 1999/2000 just 64,000 people flocked to the county beauty spot.

They put the increase down to extended opening times, more catering choices, the restoration of the Walled Garden, the growing popularity of the park and the rediscovered conservation project in the mansion.

But now the National Trust, which maintains the park, say huge quantities of rubbish and waste from its offices and catering outlets are often left overflowing and in full view of visitors and that long queues regularly form in the visitor reception area.

To combat pressure on services the National Trust has submitted a planning application to Shropshire Council for a single storey visitor reception building and a new waste compound.

National Trust says the improved customer experience is vital to the future viability and conservation of the property.

The temporary ticket office and waste compound are part of a large phased project called 'Transforming the Visitor Experience' which focuses on the stable block as Attingham's visitor hub.

A statement on the plans said: "Such dramatic growth in visitor numbers has been placing tremendous pressure on visitor facilities which are now struggling to cope.

"This in turn is leading to a low average visitor spend and represents a serious threat to a continued improvement in the visitor experience.

"Attracting and retaining visitors, encouraging greater expenditure in retail and catering outlets and ensuring the highest levels of visitor satisfaction are essential to the property's continued success."