Martin Mere is expanding its Mere Tun Village

1 November 2023

WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre is excited to announce its new development plans for its popular Mere Tun Village.

Plans are now underway to build a new longhouse at the site, which will be used for a range of activities and events for both school visits and the public.

The new building will mean that history visits will be enjoyed regardless of the weather, as it provides much-needed shelter in the wetter months.

The village, which has played a key role in educational visits at the centre since 2008, is home to a living history ‘Viking Village’, teaching children about the history of wetlands and their importance throughout the ages.

The village is currently made up of three roundhouses, a campfire, a well, wood storage, and an area which showcases how livestock would have been kept. It is built and maintained using natural materials found on site, including timber, clay, mud, cow manure, and thatch.

Additionally, a boardwalk will be built leading up to the new longhouse, fitted with informational boards to learn more about the area.

Once completed, the centre has plans to open up the Viking village to visitors as well as school visits, with some exciting events in the works.

Chris Whitehead, Learning Manager at Martin Mere, said: “For ancient Vikings, or Saxons, or Celts, living in a little roundhouse village on the edge of a wetland is hard, so we are building a small longhouse to accommodate groups of children when the weather is just too awful to be out.”

“Schools have been enjoying visits to Mere Tun for 15 years now, and the demand is still growing, so this new development will allow us to cope with whatever our weather throws at us. It also means we can offer new indoor activities, such as games, stories, making crafts and even music. All on a theme of wetlands through the ages, of course.”

The development is scheduled to be finished in early 2024. Find out more about school visits to Martin Mere via the Learning Zone.

Thank you to the Lancashire Environmental Fund for supporting this project.

The picture shows an illustrated version of the Mere Tun Village with the planned longhouse, which was coloured by Lillia C from Marshside Primary School.