Country park market research

Who we are and what we do – much more than market research
Planning Solutions Consulting carries out market research across a range of country parks and other visitor sites. By carrying out a programme of market research we can help answer a range of questions to help you understand, for example:

-Who is visiting
-Why people are visiting
-Frequency of visits
-How long (dwelltime) are they spending onsite
-The age profile of visitors
-What elements of the visitor experience work well and perhaps not so well

This helps to build the evidence base and is often part of a wider masterplanning, options appraisal, feasibility or business planning projects.

As well as carrying out market research at country parks and other visitor sites we also carry out option appraisals and feasibility studies alongside preparing visitor experience masterplans, income generation strategies and business plans to secure funding.

Working as market research consultants we have carried out visitor research at country parks, nature reserves, forests and other visitor sites
-Queen Elizabeth, Royal Victoria, River Hamble, Staunton and Lepe Country Parks and Titchfield Haven National Nature Reserve: For Hampshire County Council we carried out programmes of visitor research across the five country parks and a National Nature Reserve. The findings from the research were used to inform the preparation of sustainable development plans for each site, which we are commissioned to develop. Our work helped to unlock £19m in funding.
-Gnoll Estate Country Park: Working with Neath Port County Borough Council we carried out a programme of visitor research as part of preparing a visitor experience masterplan for the country park. This is alongside carrying out a feasibility study to introduce visitor accommodation within the country park. Latterly, working in a multi-disciplinary team, we supported the Council on preparing an application to the Levelling Up Fund which helped to secure £17m in funding for the country park and another site.
-Langley Park, Denham Country Park and Black Park: For three parks managed by Buckinghamshire Council we prepared individual development masterplans. A core part of the project was focussed on carrying out a module of primary research to support the development of individual masterplans for each park.
-Rye Harbour Discovery Centre and Nature Reserve: Working with the Sussex Wildlife Trust we prepared the business plan for the Rye Harbour Discovery Centre. As part of preparing the business plan we carried out a module of primary visitor research.
-Dalby Forest: Working with Forestry England we carried out a feasibility study at Dalby Forest to identify opportunities to enhance the visitor experience. Our work included a module of primary research with visitors and engagement with stakeholders to inform the development of the feasibility study.
-Freshwater West: Located in Pembrokeshire, Freshwater West is a popular honeypot coastal site, which was facing pressure from increasing visitor numbers. For the National Trust we prepared a sustainable visitor management plan which included carrying two programmes of visitor research alongside an extensive programme of stakeholder engagement.
-Afan Forest Park: We were commissioned by Natural Resources Wales to prepare a visitor experience masterplan for Afan Forest Park. As part of the masterplanning process we carried out a module of primary research with visitors to Afan Forest Park.
-Countryside sites and Public Rights of Way: Working with Hampshire County Council’s Countryside Team we carried out a module of primary research to identify customer sentiment, attitudes and influences following the arrival of COVID-19
-Blarney Castle and Gardens: We were commissioned to carry out a programme of visitor research amongst local, domestic and overseas visitors and tour group operators.

Added value: Managing visitor sites
Through our sister company, Planning Solutions Limited we have 30 years of direct operational experience of managing and developing visitor sites, heritage experiences and tourism businesses across England. PSL has invested in and manages:

-CONKERS a 120 acre discovery park with two ‘visitor centres’.
-Kent Life Heritage Park an attraction focussed on rural life across Kent.
-Cotswold Country Park and Beach – a seasonal country park and watersports adventure destination
-National Brewery Centre – formerly the Bass Museum (PSL managed the museum between 2010 to 2022)
-Three high rope aerial experiences
-The Royal Esplanade, a 70-bed Grade II listed hotel
-The Heritage Brewing Company / Burton Bridge Brewery
-Adventureland family experience in a retail park

Contact
Please feel free to call or email Richard Linington on 07866 742628 or richard@pslplan.co.uk if you would like to talk about a visitor research project.