A beautifully designed wayfinding and interpretation scheme implemented using eco-friendly materials and digital activations. The scheme enhances enjoyment of the stunning nature reserve, encourages learning and exploration, and ensures the SSSI site is protected.
Background
Stover Country Park is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Local Nature Reserve. Morgans Consult were appointed as lead contractor to deliver the on-site interpretation and wayfinding scheme as well as development of digital resources for the stunning park.
Morgans Consult partnered with Interpretation Design specialists The Way Design to deliver a site-wide signage scheme that informs and engages visitors.
About Stover Country Park
Stover Country Park contains 114 acres of woodland, lake and marsh, heathland, grassland and a substantial variety of wildlife. It is also designated as a dragonfly hotspot by the British Dragonfly Society.
The site includes a number of outdoor resources including mapped footpaths, interactive trails. an aerial walkway, bird hides, picnic/seating areas and car park.
There are also internal spaces too, including the Stover Centre that serves as a visitor centre, community space, educational hub, and administrative centre.
Restoring Stover Park – Conservation and Improvement Works
The ‘Restoring Stover Country Park’ project aims to create a better place for people, wildlife and heritage. The restoration project at Stover Park is extensive, and includes extending the Stover Centre, building a community workshop, de-silting Stover Lake, repairing and conserving the Gatehouse, partially restoring the Serpentine Lake, creating two new footpaths, and designing and installing a range of interpretation.
The Brief
To deliver design, fabrication, and installation of interpretation media to enhance wayfinding and visitor engagement at Stover Country Park while maintaining ecological sensitivity and historical integrity.
Related: RSPB Wayfinding and Interpretation at the South Stack Nature Reserve
Interpretation Objectives
- Enhance visitor experience through innovative and accessible interpretation media
- Encourage visitors to notice and explore
- Keep it to scale – implement solutions that aren’t intrusive, and distract from the natural environment
- Use different media to meet the different learning styles, needs and preferences of visitors
- To raise awareness of the significant natural, built and cultural heritage of Stover Country Park
- To provide engaging in-situ interpretation which will enhance the visitor experience and deepen people’s understanding of the site
- To provide opportunities for on-site visitors to discover the park story at their own pace
- To increase participation and involvement with Stover Country Park, for instance through taking part in voluntary activities
Interpretation Deliverables
As lead contractor, Morgans Consult were responsible for the delivery of:
- On-site interpretation panels
- Waymarking – bespoke finger posts
- Design of Stover Country Park map
- Places of interest place markers
- Orientation installation
- Printed materials including map and site guide
- Creation of new learning resources
- The Stover Country Park app
Our Approach
Our approach to the Stover project was rooted in collaboration, sensitivity to the SSSI landscape and a strong focus on creating interpretation that truly enhances the visitor experience. From the outset we worked as the lead contractor delivering the project in close collaboration with Devon County Council and our associate partners, The Way Design, ensuring every design decision was informed, appropriate and aligned with the restoration project’s vision.
We further supported the major project stakeholders by providing clear technical advice on materials, accessibility, viewing angles, and ecological considerations, allowing them to make confident, informed choices throughout the process.
Extensive site surveys allowed us to position signage and interpretation sensitively, avoiding protected habitats while still achieving strong legibility and intuitive wayfinding. Sustainability was embedded into every stage of the work — from specifying FSC-certified oak and EcoDura recycled panels, to reducing waste during fabrication and designing products with longevity and easy maintenance in mind, in line with the principles of ISO 14001.
Our installation teams followed strict safety protocols, adjusting fixing methods to ensure signage structures were stable, safe and suitable for long-term outdoor use. Our hands-on, problem-solving approach meant the final scheme remained visually cohesive, environmentally responsible, and completely tailored to the needs of the Park’s diverse visitors.
Related: Morgans Consult Awarded 3-Year Midland Metro LTD Contract
Solutions Provided
- Site survey and existing signage audit
- Environmental consultation and location planning
- Bespoke interpretation design elements including site maps, educational timelines and signage look-and-feel.
- Digital app design
- Production design
- Sustainable material sourcing
- Wood cutting
- Sign fabrication
- Delivery and Install
Signage types included
- Finger Posts
- Oiled oak posts at varied heights
- Powder coated aluminium direction panels finished with anti-graffiti coating
- Interpretation Lecterns
- Oiled oak frame
- EcoDura lectern top with full colour digital print and satin, anti-graffiti finish.
- Wall-mounted Interpretation Panels
- EcoDura interpretation panels with full-colour digital print and satin anti-graffiti finish
- Triptych Interpretation Monoliths
- Oiled oak posts and frames
- EcoDura interpretation panels
- Full-colour digital print with satin anti-graffiti finish
- Development of digital wayfinding and educational resource
The Stover Park App
The Stover Country Park App was developed as a digital extension of the on-site interpretation, giving visitors new ways to explore the site without adding additional physical infrastructure to this sensitive natural environment. Working closely with stakeholders, we introduced one of our technology partners to the project to help develop a user-friendly platform that supports different learning styles and complements the information delivered on the lecterns, panels and trail markers.
Sustainability was a key driver: moving some interpretation into a digital format reduces the need for printed materials and allows content to be updated without generating waste. The app also offers offline functionality to support use across areas of limited mobile signal and ensures accessibility through scalable text, clear layouts and intuitive navigation.
By blending physical interpretation with digital engagement, the app helps visitors connect more meaningfully with Stover’s unique ecology, history and restoration work — achieving the project aim of encouraging exploration, learning and environmental awareness in a non-intrusive way..
Official Opening
With phase 2 of the Restoring Stover Park project complete, the site was officially opened at a ceremony and tour on 28th November. Morgans Consult, along with 100 other guests including contractors, funders, community partners and volunteers were invited to preview the new footpaths, restored Serpentine Lake and the unveiling of the new implementation and wayfinding scheme.
