A new car park for visitors to Cirencester Park will open tomorrow.

A 46-space car park at The Old Kennels, located off the Old Tetbury Road on the western edge of Cirencester, will be operational from Saturday.

It is the Bathurst Estate’s first car park dedicated to visitors of Cirencester Park and comes as they prepare to change the way people can access the site.

While Cirencester Park is currently free to all, earlier this year it was revealed there are plans to charge tourists for entry.

The Bathurst Estate has been granted permission to fit automatic gate closers, electric keeps and keypads to the existing pedestrian gates at Cecily Hill, The Old Kennels - Windsor Walk, and Barton Lane.

Residents will eventually need an entry pass to unlock the gates, whereas tourists will be directed through the main gates at Cecily Hill and through a new visitor centre being built at The Old Kennels.

Peter Clegg, CEO of The Bathurst Estate, said: “The car park is an important step in the Estate’s ongoing, investment into Cirencester Park’s infrastructure that aims to significantly enhance the overall visitor experience.

"Future plans include the creation of The Old Kennels Visitor Centre which will be linked by path to our new car park.

"With a café, a children’s play area and ancillary units for artisan crafts all interconnected by picturesque courtyards, the Visitor Centre will be a much needed and exciting addition.”

The new car park includes disabled spaces and an area designed for bicycles and motorcycles. It also comes with six electic vehicle charging points are available.

If demand requires, there is the possibility to provide an additional 200 spaces at the weekend in an adjoining car park.

The car park is being operated and managed by Bransby Wilson Parking Solutions Ltd, with an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system in place.

It is a cashless site with payments having to be made be either card or the PaybyPhone app.

Parking charges are as follows:

• up to 1hr £1.20;

• up to 2hrs £2.40;

• up to 4hrs £3;

• up to 6hrs £9.

Tristan Chippendale, head of property at The Bathurst Estate, said: “We are proud to deliver the Estate’s first car park dedicated to visitors of Cirencester Park; it offers a new ease of access and convenience to those wishing to enjoy the Park.

"Visitors and members of the public are all very welcome. We hope you notice the improvement.”