Stroud's Museum in the Park has received its largest ever donation of £250,000 to build a new pavilion that will house a learning space and restore the garden.

The grant was awarded by the Gloucestershire Environmental Trust and will fund the Walled Garden Project, which aims to bring back to life 2,000 sq m (21,528sq ft) of derelict land that was formerly the garden belonging to the mansion house, now the Museum in the Park.

Set in Stratford Park, the museum, which is housed on two floors in a grade II 17th century mansion, will also see the addition of a new pavilion for learning and public programming to enhance the visitor experience.

The £250,000 grant follows £60,000 put forward by Stroud District Council to help attract external funding.

Councillor June Cordwell, member for community services, said: "The Museum has continued to go from strength to strength in recent years and has involved more and more of the community in its activities."

Kevin Ward, museum manager, added: "This funding has given all involved a huge boost and will help us attract further external funding and support to see the project to completion, in what will be a major addition to our already extensive offer to the community."

Fundraising continues to meet the target of £490,000 to complete the first phase of the project.

This involves clearance of the garden and will see a connecting path constructed between the pavilion and the entrance from the museum reception through the restored garden.