Washford Transmitting Station

Washford transmitting station is a medium wave broadcasting station and low-power digital terrestrial television relay near Washford, Somerset. A smaller 45.7 metres (150 ft) mast is used to relay digital terrestrial television services from the Mendip transmitting station. This mast carries the three public service multiplexes at an E.R.P. of 12.4 W. The front portions of the old transmitter building are now part of the Tropiquaria wildlife park and house their tropical hall, aquarium, and nocturnal house. The majority of the old building became surplus to the BBC's requirements in 1981 when new, smaller equipment was installed in a separate building to the rear. Two schemes subsequently failed to materialise for the old building: one to transform it into a public swimming pool and another to replace it with a Little Chef restaurant. In 1987, a £100,000 scheme to transform the site into an aquarium and reptile house was proposed by the consortium Ark Enterprises Ltd, headed by Stephen Smith. Both a 21-year lease on the building and planning permission were acquired in 1987, and Tropiquaria opened in 1989. The transmitter building is a Grade II listed building.