AN education centre is exhibiting plans for a £5million revamp that will enhance its visitors' experience.

In a bid to preserve and improve the nature reserve, the Earth Trust in Little Wittenham will be displaying plans for a new learning building, cafe and car park.

Jayne Manley, chief executive of the trust, said: "Earth Trust is guardian of this special and unique place, unrivalled in Oxfordshire and the south east, and we welcome thousands of visitors every year.

"We’ve been listening to feedback over the last few years and we have some ideas for improving our facilities, such as better access and parking arrangements, a café that is open more regularly and purpose-built teaching space for our education programmes.

"We’ve spent some time consulting with local communities and now we’re opening up for visitors to have their input."

The nature reserve, which includes Wittenham Clumps, is the most popular free space in Oxfordshire with 150,000 visits each year.

It is hoping to fund the multi-million project through grants as well as by approaching trusts and organisations.

The proposals outline ideas for improving what is already available including a new skills building, new barns to make the farmyard safer, replica Iron Age roundhouses, a new cafe and a new car park with better access from the main road.

Ms Manley added: "If you’ve ever tried to drive up to the Wittenham Clumps car park on a sunny bank holiday weekend or had to park on a muddy field at one of our lambing weekends, you’ll understand why we’re looking to make improvements.

"Whether you walk your dog on the Clumps every day or drop in once a year to attend one of our festivals, we’d love to hear what you think.

"This is your opportunity to help shape the proposals before the planning application is submitted next month."

Ralph Baille visited the exhibition with his wife Kate Davies, who is a volunteer at the Trust.

The 58-year-old said the plans were a "no brainer" and hoped it would encourage more people to come to the centre.

He said: "It is very obvious. They do a lot of good work.

"I think previously they were quite understated.

"I do not think it is well enough sign posted on the main road.

"We go down to the Clumps several times a week and we think it is such a great place to be and hopefully it will mean more people will be able to enjoy it."

Due to the application procedure for grants, the revamp plan looks at splitting the work into three steps, which could take up to seven years to complete.

The trust will be submitting the project as one planning application to South Oxfordshire District Council this summer.

The exhibition is taking place in Fison Barn and ends on June 7, for more information visit: earthtrust.org.uk