The Skomer Island Heritage Experience Project
Skomer PuffinsThe aim of the Skomer Island Heritage Experience Project is 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 will be made to Lockley Lodge and other facilities on the mainland which enhance the understanding of this special part of Pembrokeshire. The farmhouse complex on the island will be renovated to provide visitor, volunteer and staff accommodation.
This £3.2 million project is being 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 and the Tubney Charitable Trust.
Lockley Lodge
Lockley Lodge - The Old BuildingLockley Lodge is the Gateway to the Islands. Space within the old Lockley Lodge has always been limited which restricted the amount of visitor interaction that could take place. The larger and improved Lockley Lodge will have a interactive interpretation Centre which will be themed around the work of Ronald Lockley himself. 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.
Lockley Lodge - The New BuildingLive pictures will be "beamed" through to Lockley Lodge from Skomer Island. One of the main functions we want Lockley Lodge to fullfil is to provide an alternative experience to actually travelling to the island when weather prevents sailing and for those with limited mobility. If you cannot get to Skomer, you will be able to enjoy the island from the impressive surroundings of the new Lockley building. It will also be possible to view these images on this website.
The CoastGuard Lookout
The Coastguard Lookout - Before RestorationThe Coastguard Lookout is a small space and is ideal for setting the Island of Skomer into the context of the other Pembrokeshire Islands.
Coastguard Lookout - After RestorationFrom 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 using it. This potential threat to the marine environment will form part of the exhibition in the Fisherman's cottage.
The Farm Complex
At the heart of the island lay the derelict farm complex, once a thriving agricultural unit which supported a whole family.
The Old farmhouseThese derelict buildings provide the perfect opportunity to meet the accommodation requirements of the warden, volunteer staff, 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. 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 mangaed ruin.
Restoring The Farm Out-buildingsAn education room and interpretation centre will also be provided. The project will take the opportunity to 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 conservartion.
The restoration of the Out-buildingsThe Visitor Management Base
Key to the maintenance, conservation and interpretation of the this unique island is the Warden. The Warden, an experienced conservation manager, meets every visitor to the island who is given a talk on the conservation value of the island and also a run down on where to go, what to see and of course, where not to go. So the role of the warden in conveying this natural heritage to the visitors to Skomer is crucial.
The New Visitor Management BaseThe current warden's accommodation was no longer fit for its purpose, so the old building has been demolished and a new Visitor Management Base is replacing it. The new building is located in the same location as the old building, overlooking the two landing points. Within the new building will be the island's library, a laboratory, and a study room for researchers. These facilities will also be made available to visitors on a by request or group basis and will be particularly useful for overnight visitors and educational groups.
Visitor Management baseAll the building works on the island are being done to the highest standards. In the context of ensuring that none of these works jeopardise the conservation work being carried out and does not disturb the delicate ecology on the island, all the building materials have been quarantined prior to being moved by barge to the island. This will ensure that nothing is bought to island other than just the building materials.
Building Materials Being DeliveredThe restoration of the building is being done under the careful supervisoin of CADW. Although the restoration of the buildings aims to produce robust, energy efficient buildings with a small eco-footprint, it is also our intention to use traditional building materials wherever possible. Although a project as complex as this creates many unforeseen difficulties, work is progressing rapidly, so please visit these pages often to see the latest updates.
Barge Delivering Building Materials
