Share on social
Is the visitor centre completely closed?
No. Whilst the visitor centre is closed to day visitors from 9 November 2023, it remains open to CAT students, group visits and events.
When will the visitor centre re-open to day visitors?
CAT remains strongly committed to its proposed wider redevelopment plans, which feature significant improvements to the visitor offer. These proposals remain under consideration for funding from the Mid Wales Growth Deal and other sources. Once secured, these funds will ensure CAT can re-open to day visitors, providing additional tourism and education opportunities for the communities of Mid Wales and beyond.
Can people who are eligible for free entry (e.g. locals, members and people with annual passes) still visit?
No. Unfortunately, we have no choice but to close the visitor centre to all day visitors, including those eligible for free entry. However, all existing passes will be honoured for a six-month period after we re-open to day visitors, so please do get in touch after re-opening (date TBC) to arrange a replacement pass. Free entry for CAT members and permanent residents of SY20 and SY19 postcode areas will still be available once we re-open to day visitors.
I have a pre-booked ticket — is it still valid?
No. The visitor centre is closing to day visitors with immediate effect, however, we are able to arrange a refund. Simply email members@cat.org.uk or call us on 01654 705988, quoting your booking reference, and we will arrange a full refund.
I have a gift voucher to be spent in-person at the visitor centre — is it still valid?
No. However, we can either update your voucher to be redeemable on CAT’s online Ecostore or on a short course, or we can arrange a full refund — depending on your preference. Please email members@cat.org.uk or call us on 01654 705988 quoting your gift voucher number. This does not apply to discount vouchers, which cannot be exchanged.
I have a discount voucher for the visitor centre. Will this be valid when you re-open?
Yes. All discount vouchers that expire during the period we are closed to day visitors will be extended for an additional six months from the date we re-open. Discount vouchers cannot be exchanged for cash.
Can schools, colleges and university groups still visit?
Yes. The visitor centre remains open for pre-booked group visits, and we welcome bookings from schools, colleges, universities, communities, businesses, or groups of friends (minimum group sizes / rates apply — please contact education@cat.org.uk to enquire). Accommodation, talks, tours, workshops and meeting and teaching spaces are also available to book here
Can I hold my team away day at CAT?
Yes. The visitor centre remains open for pre-booked group visits, including team away days. Accommodation, talks, tours, workshops and meeting and teaching spaces are all available to book here.
If I hire the venue, will we still be able to access the visitor centre?
Yes. You will be able to access key areas of the visitor centre. However, kindly note that some areas are likely to be closed at certain times of year, so please do check in advance. More information on venue hire is available here.
If I’m staying at CAT for a course or event, can I still access the visitor centre?
Yes. You will be able to access key areas of the visitor centre. However, kindly note that some areas are likely to be closed at certain times of year, so please do check in advance. Further information on upcoming courses and events is available here.
If I come to CAT as part of a group visit or course, will I still be able to access the site via the water-balanced cliff railway?
No. The water-balanced cliff railway requires routine maintenance which can only be undertaken once redevelopment funding is received. In the meantime, CAT can be accessed via accessible parking at the top of the North Drive or via a 10-minute walk up a relatively steep track.
Will the café stay open after the visitor centre closes to day visitors?
The café will remain open for CAT students, group visits, events and staff, and may be closed on days when catering has not been pre-booked.
What will CAT be doing while the visitor centre is closed to day visitors?
We will continue providing vital education and skills training for students, councils, local authorities, communities, schools, universities, colleges, businesses and organisations via: postgraduate degrees, short courses, pre-booked group visits, online training and Zero Carbon Britain Hub and Innovation Lab training and resources. Our unique, sustainable venues are also still available to hire for conferences, events and team away days.
Will my postgraduate degree be affected?
No. Our delivery of postgraduate degrees will not be affected by the staffing and visitor centre changes. We will continue to deliver modules via a mixture of distance learning and on-site study visits as we do currently, and students will have access to the same areas and resources during study visits as they did previously.
Can students visit outside of allocated module weeks?
Students can arrange to visit outside of their modules by contacting the Student Support team, as they would have done previously. Please note, however, that the café may not be available on the day of your visit if it is outside of a module week.
Will my short course be affected?
No. Short course delivery is unaffected by staffing and visitor centre changes, and all future courses will go ahead as planned. You can find information on all upcoming short courses here.
Is the members’ conference still going ahead on 10-12 November?
Yes. The members’ conference is going ahead as planned. If you have any questions about the conference, please contact us on members@cat.org.uk or 01654 705988.
I’d like to help — what can I do?
Thank you for your support. As a charity, we’re reliant on the generosity of people like you. If you would like to make a donation, please visit cat.org.uk/join-donate/ or call our fundraising team on 01654 705988. You can also help by encouraging others to donate or become members.
I can’t find the answer to my question — who should I contact?
All additional queries should be sent to members@cat.org.uk. Please be aware that we’re receiving a higher volume of queries than usual at this time, and we will aim to respond as soon as possible.
