COUNTRYFILE presenter Ellie Harrison was one of the first people to try out the attractions at Greystones, a new wildlife visitor centre at Bourton-on-the-Water.

At the official opening, Ellie led a hands-on nature workshop for local children, visited the site’s replica Iron Age roundhouse, tested her wildlife knowledge on a digital quiz in the Discovery Barn and explored the site’s signposted trails.

Greystones is run by Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, a charity which manages 60 nature reserves around the county and inspires people to engage with the county’s outdoor places. Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust has been renovating Greystones – a former derelict farm – into a pioneering attraction, thanks to more than £750,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Grundon Waste Management, other supporters and dozens of volunteers.

“The next chapter of the Greystones story has now begun. In it, everybody has the opportunity to immerse in nature and walk in the footsteps of our ancestors on this incredible ancient site,” said Ellie, who is also the president of Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust.

Greystones is located within the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and has been officially recognised as a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its wildflower hay meadows. The nature reserve is open to the public seven days a week throughout the year, with trails taking visitors through meadows, woodland, a river and wild play features.

Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust specialists and volunteers work year-round to improve the site for the many species found here, which include barn owls, otters and water voles.