Sherwood Observatory awarded grant following surging visitor demand
Sherwood Observatory has been awarded a UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) grant after experiencing an extraordinary surge in visitor numbers, welcoming over 25,000 guests in just 8 months, far exceeding its initial target of 20,000 for the first year.
Since opening its doors in November 2024, the Observatory has seen unprecedented interest from the public, prompting the need for additional resources to maintain high quality visitor experiences and manage growing demand. The grant is a direct response to this success and aims to ensure the Observatory can continue to thrive while keeping ticket prices affordable.
The funding is supporting the employment of two new staff members, who will support volunteering opportunities, events and activities and marketing activity.
Cllr Matthew Relf, Executive Lead Member for Growth, Regeneration and Local Planning at Ashfield District Council said:
“The response from the public has been phenomenal. It’s fantastic that residents and visitors to Ashfield are making the most of the Observatory and it is helping to inspire interest in STEM subjects.
It’s a real positive that the Observatory has proved to be so popular and with the funding from this grant it will continue to flourish and remain a beacon of learning and discovery for years to come.”
Dr Steve Wallace MBE, Chair of the Observatory said:
"We have been blown away with the level of interest from people of all ages in what we are delivering. During the school holidays we welcomed over 1000 visitors, giving us the opportunity to inspire children of all ages.
The extra staff will allow us to maintain our footfall without compromising the quality of experiences that our visitors have come to expect. We are extremely grateful to Ashfield District Council for their support."
Sherwood Observatory’s rapid rise in popularity highlights its importance as a regional attraction and its potential to contribute even more to local tourism and engagement in Ashfield.
