The Footprint building is The National Trust’s eco-classroom at St Catherine’s Woods near Windermere in the Lake District National Park. It is the first building in Cumbria to be constructed with straw bale walls, and the first of this kind built anywhere by the National Trust. It is a beautiful and inspirational space. The development is low environmental impact with straw walls; used car tyre foundations; local timber frames and floors; oak shake roof and sheep’s wool insulation.

It is a fine example of sustainable development in action and provides a fantastic resource for supporting the learning programmes and projects that take place at St Catherine’s. The Discovery Programmes, themed around sustainability and the natural wold, are a brilliant introduction to sustainability for Primary school groups (with the option to travel free to the Footprint by train along the Lancaster - Windermere line).

For older pupils the Footprint is a stimulating case-study and a great subject for exploring issues surrounding sustainability through a programme tailored to your group.