A new community and education hub has officially opened at Milton Creek Country Park in Sittingbourne, with TV presenter Steve Brown cutting the ribbon on 23 May. The Milton Creek Country Park Trust and the Friends of Milton Creek welcomed the Countryfile and Escape to the Country host to launch Space@MiltonCreek, a 16ft by 40ft facility built from two converted shipping containers.
Inside, the highly insulated space accommodates up to 30 people and includes tables, chairs, a small kitchenette, free WiFi, and air source heat pumps that provide both heating and air conditioning. The building secured an A-grade Energy Rating — the highest possible score — after passing building inspector tests in January. Mayor Cllr Derek Carnell and Mayoress Mrs Pat Carnell attended the ceremony, where the Mayor thanked trustees and volunteers including fundraiser Lynda Marshall, park ranger Kris Staples, and chairman Mike Dendor.
The project traces back to 2021 when the Friends of Milton Creek proposed replacing a 20-foot container called The ROOM, which had been on loan before the Trust acquired it. Planning permission arrived in April 2024, construction started that same month, and the main structure reached the park in June 2024. Volunteers then spent months fitting out the interior, completing it by December 2025 with only hard landscaping and disabled access ramps left. The Trust raised roughly £90,000 but still faces a funding shortfall of around £40,000, a gap narrowed by volunteers carrying out much of the work themselves.
Steve Brown reflected on his childhood on the Isle of Sheppey and how his parents encouraged his love of outdoor spaces. He told guests the hub gives people a chance to step outside familiar surroundings and explore the nature reserve, adding he meant that sincerely. During the opening event, Anna Outdoors ran children’s activities linked to the National Curriculum.
Space@MiltonCreek sits off Saffron Way with ample free parking, and is available for hire by community groups, voluntary organisations, and public sector bodies. Discounted rates apply for charities and not-for-profits. The Trust will soon seek a volunteer to manage bookings and handle access for hirers.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.
