IT IS one of the jewels in the crown of the Hampshire countryside – and now it has seen its entrance get a £3 million facelift.

After eight years of waiting for a new visitors centre, the dream has finally come true for Mottisfont Abbey with a facility incorporating the old and the new.

Yesterday a new steel and cedar wood construction featuring a reception, gift shop, toilets and terrace was opened to the public for the first time.

But not everyone was taken with the new look.

Many visitors criticised the modern look for being out of keeping with the setting, but bosses at the attraction said they were happy with the look.

It replaces a mice-infested and rotting fishing hut which welcomed the 300,000 visitors year on year, many of whom flock to see the 3,500 roses in bloom in the summer.

Architects have designed a building using modern materials such as “rusty” looking Cor-Ten steel for the roof and outer walls, reflecting the land of the estate.

Wood and glass have also been reflecting that found on the estate and designers wanted to use steel screw pile foundations “to have a minimal impact on the landscape”.

General manager of the abbey and of South West Hampshire Group of the National Trust, Paul Cook, said he was delighted to finally see it open.

“There are lots of people who been working or volunteering on this property for 20 years.

“We have been waiting for this for a very long time. For it finally to get open it’s the most exciting thing since I have been here.

"The staff and volunteers are incredibly happy with it."

But the new facility hasn’t pleased traditionalists who have described the new facility as a “monstrosity”.

Dororthy Shergold from Hestia Close, Romsey, said: “The National Trust has a policy to treasure their buildings for their natural beauty, historical interest plus the pride they install in us as a nation.

“This rusty heap does not satisfy any of those criteria.”

Another visitor Stuart Aiken said: “This structure, so out of keeping with its lovely environment, brings to mind Prince Charles’ view of the plans for the National Gallery extension: ‘What is proposed is like a monstrous carbuncle on the face of a much-loved and elegant friend.’”

Others have praised it. Romsey resident Ann Burn said: “I think the rusted steel barn-like building with its steeply pitched roof is stunning and appropriate to its setting and I congratulate the architect.”