Take a look inside the new longhouse at our Mere Tun Village

4 June 2024

WWT Martin Mere is pleased to announce the completion of its newest project, a brand-new longhouse, situated at the existing Mere Tun.

The entrance to the Mere Tun at WWT Martin Mere. There is a 'Mere Tun' sign welcoming visitors, and a boardwalk that leads up to the village.

The centre announced plans to expand the Mere Tun back in November 2023, starting the development shortly after.

Picture shows inside the longhouse at martin mere. There is a bed to the right, a cow skin rug on the floor, and various pieces of furniture around.

Works undertaken include a brand new longhouse, which has been furnished and decorated to showcase what would have been the life of a wetland chief. Martin Mere also improved on the key areas such as campfire, where settlers would have their meetings and eat, and training grounds, where they would practice defences against any intruders.

Shows the end of the boardwalk before reaching the longhouse. In the photo is a sign with information about making materials using wetlands.

Mere Tun is recognised by visitors as the centre's ‘Viking Village’. The area is often used by schools as part of educational visits, offering a living history experience to learn more about wetland settlers throughout history.

Picture shows inside the longhouse at martin mere. There is a bed to the right, a cow skin rug on the floor, and various pieces of furniture around.

Now, thanks to the completion of a brand-new boardwalk, the village will be open to visitors outside of educational visits starting this May half term. Visitors will be able to use the brand new boardwalk and also step inside the new longhouse, and get a great view of the roundhouse, campfire, and training ground. Step back in time and get a taste of the life of Vikings, Saxons, and Celts, and how they utilised wetlands and their materials in their everyday life.

The development was made possible thanks to the support of the Lancashire Environmental Fund (LEF). WWT Martin Mere would also like to say a special thanks to Pat Western, for her generous donation to this project.