Andrea Davis, Chairman of Exmoor National Park Authority, opened the £1.2 million Pavilion building. She was also instrumental in securing substantial funding for the project from Devon County Council's 'Invest in Devon' scheme enabled this amazing state of the art attraction to come about which will benefit tourism and businesses in Lynton and Lynmouth and the wider Exmoor area for years to come.

The project to replace the old 1930s Pavilion, which was beyond repair, was jointly funded and led by Exmoor National Park Authority and Devon County Council. Torridge and North Devon Leader 4 contributed towards the costs of some of the technology hardware.

On the ground floor, the National Park Centre is a learning and experience hub which will help local people and visitors understand more about Exmoor National Park. The Pavilion has been designed to have a mix of high tech and more traditional exhibits with everything from a large touch screen table and i-pads to the traditional seaside photo board. A short film, which has been specially commissioned for the Centre, offers new, aerial views of Exmoor National Park and will run in the audio theatre offering people a different view of Exmoor and encouraging them to explore further. On the top floor is a new café run by a local Lynmouth business with exhibition space available which will change throughout the year.

The National Park Centre provides a discovery experience for schools, colleges and community groups to research local heritage in collaboration with local societies and heritage groups; there is a rolling programme of family-friendly event days, evening talks and walks, seaside safaris, woodland rambles, history tours, heritage workshops and specialist days for groups and individuals.

The National Park Centre will be open all year round so if you haven't come to see us yet we look forward to seeing you soon. Telephone 01598 752 509 visit www.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk