Parsley Hay Visitor Centre

Hartington

This competition-winning design for a new visitor and cycle hire centre was commissioned by the Peak District National Park Authority, to provide enhanced facilities serving the Tissington and High Peak trails running along the former trackbed of the Cromford and High Peak Railway. The new building is built on the site of the former railway station of the same name.

The visitor centre was constructed using durable, traditional and locally sourced materials including natural stone, slate and Western Red Cedar cladding, alongside carefully selected contemporary elements such as Cor-Ten steel, allowing the structure to blend into the surrounding landscape. A bespoke system of sliding timber-clad screens along the principal elevation features neatly integrated bench seating, providing security for the glazed entrance doors when the centre is closed.

The building has been designed with a strong sustainability agenda to maximise the benefits of internal daylight and solar gain. The design incorporates a rainwater harvesting system and ground source heat pumps for heating and hot water provision.