The National Trust would forgive you for not even noticing their brand new building at Tarn Hows, Coniston – because that was their intention.
Clad in local wood, with a growing sedum roof, the new visitor facilities look quite at home in their woodland setting. The new building houses a much needed education room and toilets, all of which have been carefully designed to have a low visual impact on this ecologically sensitive site. The design pulls in natural lighting, with sun pipes and high level windows, and minimises water use throughout.
The infamous Lake District weather will ensure that over time the roof grows to become a carpet of green, blending the building right back into its landscape.
© NTPL / Liz Houseman
Tarn Hows is renowned as a beautiful and inspiring place - and the new education room provides a perfect location for outdoor learning for everyone. Displays and hands-on activities outline the history of the area, from the creation of Tarn Hows to present day management. There are also tips on how to look out for some of the weird and wonderful wildlife here during your visit.
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An absorbing display is the unique artwork of ceramic tiles depicting the trees of Tarn Hows, made by pupils from John Ruskin School working with local artist Angie Mitchell. A beautiful slatted wood seat made of ten different types of local timber is a perfect resting place.
The new building is a major milestone in the three year Tarn Hows and Monk Coniston Project. It has been made possible by funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Lake District National Park Sustainable Development Fund, Cumbria Vision, Frederick Warne & Company and private donors.
© NTPL / Liz Houseman
Moira Herring, National Trust Tarn Hows and Monk Coniston Project Manager, says:
'This building is the missing link in our work here. People have come to Tarn Hows from all over the world, with over 250,000 visiting annually. Until now the opportunity for people to learn about or connect with the fascinating history and ecology here has been limited. We hope it will provide a fuller experience for all our visitors and help us to better explore the educational potential of this site.'
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Jessica Worlock, National Trust Learning Officer, Tarn Hows and Monk Coniston Project, says:
'The building will be an invaluable resource for the educational activities I run with schools and other groups around Tarn Hows. As well as providing an exciting learning resource it will be great to have somewhere to shelter from the elements – invaluable in the Lake District!'
Sara Hilton, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in the North West, says:
'We are passionate about ensuring everyone has the chance to learn about the heritage around them. The new visitor facility at Tarn Hows is a great example of how to do this. Built to be entirely sympathetic to the natural environment whilst providing an information gateway to the beauty spot, it offers visitors an inspiring insight before they go out and explore.'
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