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The Skomer Island Heritage Experience Project

Skomer PuffinsThe aim of the Skomer Island Heritage Experience Project was to conserve and enhance the heritage of the island and improve the quality of the visitor experience through the provision of improved interpretation and accomodation facilities. Improvements were made to Lockley Lodge and other facilities on the mainland which have enhanced the understanding of this special part of Pembrokeshire. The farmhouse complex on the island has been renovated to provide improved visitor, volunteer and staff accommodation.

This £3.5 million project was administered by The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales supported by the Countryside Council for Wales. The project partners gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Tubney Charitable Trust and the Crown Estate Marine Stewardship Fund.

LotteryCrown Estate
Tubney

 


The old Lockley Lodge buildingThe old Lockley Lodge building
Lockley Lodge

Lockley Lodge is the Gateway to the Islands. Space within the old Lockley Lodge was limited which restricted the amount of visitor interaction that could take place. The larger and much improved Lockley Lodge has interactive interpretation showing how the Island has inspired people over the years. There will also be an opportunity to get involved with and understand the scientific research being conducted by the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales.

New Lockley Lodge building with National Trust car park to rearNew Lockley Lodge building with National Trust car park to rear
The new building under constructionThe new building under construction

 

 

 

 

 

 


Live pictures are now "beamed" through to Lockley Lodge from Skomer Island. One of the main functions of Lockley Lodge is to provide an alternative experience to actually travelling to the island when weather prevents sailing and for those with limited mobility. Please click here for more information about Lockley Lodge.

If you cannot get to Skomer you can enjoy the island from the impressive surroundings of the new Lockley Lodge building. It is also be possible to view these images on this website.

 

The Coastguard Lookout

Coastguard Lookout after restorationCoastguard Lookout after restoration
The Coastguard Lookout is a small building belonging to the National Trust and is ideal for setting the Island of Skomer into the context of the other Pembrokeshire Islands.

It is situated at the top of the Deer Park and from here you will see Skomer sitting amongst her sister islands of Skokholm, Grassholm and Ramsey. You will also be able to see across to St Brides Bay and the tanker ships crossing the bay.

 

 

The farmhouse before renovationThe farmhouse before renovation
The Farmhouse Complex

At the heart of the island lies the old farmhouse complex, once a thriving agricultural unit which supported a number of families. These derelict buildings provided the perfect opportunity to meet the accommodation requirements of the assistant wardens, volunteers, researchers and of course our overnight guests, who wish to watch the night-time spectacle of the hundreds of thousands of Manx Shearwaters returning to their burrows, or those just seeking a total island experience.

The farmhouse complex after renovationThe farmhouse complex after renovation
To this end, the farmhouse buildings have been renovated and restored sympathetically and in line with guidance from Cadw. The old farmhouse has been made safe, capped and kept as a managed ruin. An internal roof has been put on in two of the rooms which can now be used for shelter. One also has picnic tables and interpretation panels about the past and future of the Island.

The Project also rebuilt the Assistant Warden's accommodation and the Volunteers' accommodation, greatly improving facilities. To conserve water new composting toilets were built at the end of the Old Barn for the use of day visitors - these are accessible by an outside staircase.

 

Restoring the farm outbuildingsRestoring the farm outbuildings
A visitor centre has been provided at the end of the Old Barn with the project taking the opportunity to
Restoration of the outbuildingsRestoration of the outbuildings
significantly enhance the quality of the interpretation provided to ensure the visitor experience is maximised. Interpretation of the island is vital for showing visitors how variable the island is, to put its national and international importance in context and how important the island is wildlife, for people and for conservation. Please click here for more images of the interpretation aspects of the project.

farmhouse complex

 

The Island Office

New Island Office being rebuiltNew Island Office being rebuilt
Key to the maintenance, conservation and interpretation of the this unique island is the Warden. The Warden, an experienced conservation manager, ensures that every visitor is given a talk on the conservation interest of the island and also a run down on where to go, what to see and of course, where not to go. The role of the Warden in conveying the importance of the island's natural heritage to all visitors is crucial.

 

Island Office taking shapeIsland Office taking shape

 

The previous accommodation for the Warden was no longer fit for its purpose, so the old building was demolished and replaced by a new building. This is situated in the same location as the old building, overlooking the two landing points. Within the new building is the island's library, a laboratory, and study rooms for researchers.

 

 

Barge Delivering Building MaterialsBarge Delivering Building Materials
Sustainability

All the building works on the island were completed to the highest standards. In the context of ensuring that none of these works jeopardised the conservation work being carried out and did not disturb the delicate ecology on the island, all the building materials were quarantined prior to being moved by barge to the island. This ensured that no pests were brought to the island along with the building materials.

 

Photo-voltaic panels to rear, solar panels to frontPhoto-voltaic panels to rear, solar panels to front
A bank of photo-voltaic panels to generate electricity was built behind the farm buildings, along with solar panels for hot water

 

 

Battery BankBattery Bank
Wind turbineWind turbine

There is a battery bank to store the electricity enabling the island to have electric lighting and run other electrical appliances. There are also wind turbines which also generate electricity when day lengths and the power of the sun are less.

 

Hot water on Skomer is created by the use of solar panels. As mentioned above there are some alongside the photo-voltaic panels, and also some on the roof of the visitors' accommodation. These panels are designed to absorb as much of the sun's heat as possible and contain water which, once hot, is pumped to an insulated hot water tank.

Island office with photo-voltaic and solar panelsThe new Island Office at North Haven

The Island Office overlooking North Haven has both photo-voltaic panels and solar panels on its roof to provide energy and hot water.

It is important to remember that both types of renewable energy systems in use on Skomer rely on the efficient use of resources. Consequently it is essential to switch off lights when not in use, to spread hot water usage over the day, not waste water on non-essential tasks and, most importantly, don't leave taps running!

The restoration of the buildings was carried out under careful supervision. Although the restoration of the buildings aimed to produce robust, energy efficient buildings with a small eco-footprint, it was also our intention to use traditional building materials wherever possible. Although a project as complex as this created many unforeseen difficulties, work progressed rapidly, finishing in the spring of 2008 ready for the new season's visitors. For more information click here for visiting Skomer and here for staying on Skomer.