New Eco-Lodge opens at Poole Farm to inspire young people’s connection with nature

A striking new eco-friendly space designed to help young people reconnect with nature has officially opened at Poole Farm in Plymouth. The Bircham Eco-Lodge, crafted almost entirely from sustainably sourced South West timber, will serve as a centre for youth clubs, outdoor learning, and eco-therapy sessions, offering a natural retreat just a few steps away from the site’s beaver enclosure.

Built on stilts to blend into its riverside surroundings, the Bircham Eco-Lodge features a green roof planted with native wildflowers, a rainwater harvesting system, and a large balcony overlooking the river, pond, and woodlands. The lodge will also double as a venue for community events and workshops focused on sustainability and wellbeing.

The building’s design was shaped by input from local young people, who helped guide its layout and facilities. The opening ceremony saw these young designers return to celebrate their work with outdoor cooking around the fire circle, digital nature projects using laptops on the balcony, and creative crafts such as candle decorating. The evening ended with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque, designed and created by the youth club over several weeks.

Councillor Tom Briars-Delve, Plymouth City Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment and Climate Change, officially opened the building, praising the collaboration and its impact on young people’s engagement with nature.

“I'm so proud of this lovely facility and I hope that the Bircham Eco-Lodge will become a haven for young people from across Plymouth,” he said.
“The young people who helped shape this were clear - they requested a building that didn’t remind them of school, an inside/outside space, places to chill out, and a fire pit - all of which were incorporated.
“Seeing the youth club’s reaction to the finished building exemplifies what we’re trying to achieve with the new Plymouth Plan for Nature and People: unlocking the undeniable benefits of nature connection.”

The Bircham Eco-Lodge, originally known in plans as The Paddock Cabin, was financed through the Youth Investment Fund, part of the UK Government’s National Youth Guarantee. The fund, delivered by Social Investment Business in partnership with Key Fund, the National Youth Agency, and Resonance, is investing over £300 million to build, renovate, and expand youth facilities in areas where opportunities for young people are most needed.

At Poole Farm, the fund has enabled the creation of this innovative new space while also supporting eco-therapy programmes, a Junior Farm Ranger scheme, and a digital badge system that encourages skills development through nature-based learning.

Located within Plymouth’s Derriford Community Park, Poole Farm has become a leading example of how urban green spaces can support both environmental conservation and community wellbeing. The introduction of the Bircham Eco-Lodge marks another milestone in the city’s efforts to give young people hands-on experiences in nature while nurturing the next generation of environmental stewards.