Queen Elizabeth Country Park celebrates 50th anniversary

Queen Elizabeth Country Park in East Hampshire is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a series of commemorative events. The park, which spans over 1,400 acres and receives approximately 900,000 visitors each year, was established when Butser Hill and Queen Elizabeth Forest were merged.

To mark the milestone, a new children’s play area has been opened and a ceremonial Copper Beech tree was planted. The park’s visitor centre was originally opened by the late Queen Elizabeth II on August 2, 1976.

The site is managed by Hampshire County Council in partnership with Forestry England, the South Downs National Park Authority, and other stakeholders. Officials noted that decades of investment and volunteer support have helped maintain the landscape and wildlife for future generations.