Damp outbuilding turned into walkers’ haven

The Orchid House, which sits along the Pennine Way has been transformed over the past 18 months from a damp outbuilding into a place for people to enjoy.

Walkers now have a place to rest, use facilities and learn more about the wildlife, history and flora of the Yorkshire Dales.

An education room has been created in the upper part of the building for schools and community groups to use.

Before work could begin, the Trust went to great lengths to remove over 200 cave spiders which had taken up residence in the Orchid House.

Martin Davies, property manager for the National Trust in the Yorkshire Dales, said yesterday: “The cave spiders took up residence at least 12 years ago, seeming to like the conditions the building provided.

“Last winter we managed to collect most of them and they were taken to their new homes in nearby caves.”

Mr Davies added: “As work to transform the Orchid House continued, some spiders remained and we have created a new home for them in a small building next door.”

With the spiders rehoused, the provision of an education room has been a long-term plan for the National Trust.

It gives the Trust the opportunity to offer more information for visitors to the Dales through events, walks, talks and for schools to use as a base.

The project has been made possible thanks to a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’s Sustainable Development Fund and a number of private donations left to the Trust.

Orchid House opens today with the walkers’ facilities open every day. Anyone who is interested in arranging a day’s activity for groups or classes at Orchid House should contact Heather Burrow on 01729 830416.