A POPULAR country park is set for a huge facelift as it undergoes a series of renovations as part of a £250,000 investment.

A new 9,000 sq m maze, which would dwarf the one at Hampton Court Palace, will be built at Old Down Estate as part of the scheme.

Work on the maze will get underway within the next few days and it is expected that it will take around five years for it to mature and fully complete.

A number of projects have been completed in the investment programme including three purpose-built aviaries to house native game birds and walk-in petting areas for rabbits and guinea pigs in the Pet’s Corner area.

New play equipment for the park will include spring ride-ons for the toddler area and a giant ‘birds-nest swing’ for the adventure park.

All animal enclosures at the estate have been upgraded and new walk-in chicken and miniature goat enclosures will be open before Easter.

The shop has also had a facelift and now sells deli-style food, produce grown at the estate and Old Down hen and duck eggs.

A number of new wild flower gardens are being seeded, to flower in late Spring and early Summer.

Carly Rudrum-Baker, head of business at the estate said, “We’re delighted with the improvements that we’ve already made.

“People love getting hands-on with our animals so we’re making it as easy as possible to do so.

“The maze is a long term project and at six times the size of the maze at Hampton Court, should bring a lot of visitors to the surrounding area.”

In 2009 the manor house underwent a £5 million renovation following its purchase by Arron and Katya Banks.

For more details about the work and for information about events at the estate visit: www.olddownestate.co.uk.