KINGSTON Lacy is seeking planning permission to create a three-mile trail to encourage the “significant numbers” of people who do not venture out into its parkland.

The National Trust, which owns the country house and estate near Wimborne, wants to improve access into the parkland and woodland for existing visitors, and to attract new visitors who would like to explore the wider historic landscape.

The parkland at Kingston Lacy already provides access to varied countryside, which is visited by thousands of people.

The proposed pathway improvements at Kingston Lacy will consist of a multi-use loop of approximately 3.6 miles (5.9km). New signage would be introduced to provide directions and information along the route, which would start in the main car park next to the ticket office.

Tim Turner, general manager at Kingston Lacy, said "We're excited to open up more of our green space so visitors can enjoy the outdoors with ease and access to facilities. With conservation at our core, the multi-use path at Kingston Lacy will largely use existing tracks and the historic carriageway that runs around the wider estate.

"We already have an established outdoor offer and the new multi-use path will benefit visitors who use the park for exercise and wellbeing - be it cyclists, walkers, those in adapted wheelchairs, families with pushchairs and those needing a little more reassurance underfoot."

Portus and Whitton, who were appointed by the National Trust to help develop proposals for the multi-use trail, said: “The house is set within formal gardens and extensive parkland but significant numbers of visitors do not venture out into the parkland."

They added the scheme did not require the removal of any significant trees along the route, "although some minor clearance of understorey, poor quality trees and self-seeded saplings will be required where the trail runs alongside the main drive at the main entrance."

Along most of its length the multi-use trail would have a compacted gravel surface to give it a traditional appearance in keeping with historic tracks and woodland rides within the estate.

It would also include a short length of timber boardwalk in an area prone to flooding in the winter months.

Kingston Lacy are keen to hear the public's views. There will be two drop-in sessions at Pamphill Village Hall on Wednesday, April 5, 5pm-6pm, and Thursday, April 6, 10am-11am.