Returned to the National Trust after 75 years as a field centre, Malham Tarn House is now looking for a new lease of life that will provide public benefit and operate as a viable business, and the Trust says “We would definitely consider it for Hostel use”
In 1946, Malham Tarn House was gifted to the National Trust as part of the wider Malham Tarn Estate in the Yorkshire Dales. For many decades the house was leased to the Field Studies Council, but now the National Trust is seeking new tenants for this much-loved local landmark.
Tony Earnshaw from the National Trust says ” Since it was handed back to us from the Field Studies Council in early 2024, we’ve taken the opportunity to properly explore and survey the building for the first time in many decades. While the property is empty, we’ve been able to carry out essential conservation works such as repairs to the roof, restoration of the canopies and external decoration. We’ve also worked with experts to find suitable local homes for many of the property’s artifacts and historic documents.”
In late 2023 the National Trust hosted a site visit from Independent Hostels UK and parties that used Tarn House as a field centre in previous years. On this visit we were told that the Trust was ensuring all external fixtures were sound and repaired to NT standards and was looking for an independent business that would use the buildings profitability, ideally with an offering to the general public. The site is amazing, looking over Malham Tarn, crisscrossed by many trails and footpaths including the Pennine Way and open-access mountain bike trails around the estate. We were told they would offer a long-term lease and a sound building to make investment viable to grow a business within its walls.
The National Trust is looking for a suitable tenant to take on a long-term lease to operate the house and adjacent buildings as a sustainable business, ideally one that continues to allow access to people of all backgrounds, keeping Malham Tarn house as a resource that anyone can enjoy. They are looking for proposals that provide public benefit and strategic fit, as well as keeping financial sustainability in mind.
Tony Earnshaw from the National Trust says “We would definitely consider it for a hostel use.”
You can view the history and updates on the National Trust website. Details of the lease through Savills Estate Agent. And specifics on operating Tarn house as a hostel from Independent Hostels UK.
The deadline for applications via Savills is 25th September. However, anyone interested in exploring the opportunity to operate it as a hostel should get in touch directly with [email protected] to express an interest, ideally by Mon 30th September.