New sustainable woodland centre takes shape at Yarner Wood
Work is under way on a new off-grid woodland centre at Yarner Wood, part of the East Dartmoor Woods and Heaths National Nature Reserve, which will provide more opportunities for local people to connect with nature and take part in conservation.
The centre will replace the reserve’s ageing visitor building, creating modern, year-round facilities for education, volunteering, conservation and wellbeing activities.
Plans include working with the NHS on initiatives such as woodcraft for wellbeing and art therapy in nature, alongside opportunities for schools, community groups and volunteers to get involved in protecting the reserve’s wildlife.
The building has been designed to minimise its environmental impact and make use of materials sourced from local woodland restoration work.
Its frame is made from Douglas fir donated by the Woodland Trust from its Bovey Valley woods. The trees were removed as part of efforts to restore ancient woodland by replacing conifer plantations with native trees and temperate rainforest.
The exterior will be clad in around 4km of western red cedar, a naturally durable timber which requires minimal treatment to withstand the weather.
The centre will operate entirely off-grid, using solar power and rainwater harvesting to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.
Neil Hornby, Chief Executive of Natural England, said: "It's fantastic to see work getting underway on this inspiring project. The new centre will help more people experience the benefits of nature, while supporting the local community and the conservation of this special place.
"From supporting people's health and wellbeing, to helping people develop new skills, Yarner Wood is already making a real difference, and the new centre will help us do even more. I really encourage local organisations and community groups to get involved."
Andy Bakere, Senior Reserves Manager at Natural England, said: “We’re really excited to see work start on this sustainable project. The centre will give people new ways to connect with nature and get involved in conservation. Operating totally off-grid, using solar power and rainwater harvesting will help us reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and work towards Natural England’s net zero goals.”
Yarner Wood covers 365 acres of ancient oak woodland and temperate rainforest on the edge of Dartmoor National Park. It forms part of England's first National Nature Reserve and is managed by Natural England.
The woodland is home to a range of wildlife, including breeding pied flycatchers and wood warblers, as well as the distinctive summer nests of wood ants.
National Nature Reserves protect some of England’s most important habitats, species and geology, while supporting nature recovery on a landscape scale.
The new centre also forms part of Natural England’s King’s Series of National Nature Reserves, an initiative to create or extend 25 reserves by 2027, leaving a lasting legacy for people and wildlife.
The frame and roof of the new building are now complete and windows have been installed, with the external cladding due to follow in the coming weeks. Completion is expected by the end of 2026, with a launch event planned for March 2027.
Updates will be shared through East Dartmoor National Nature Reserve’s social media channels.