THE National Trust is seeking a tenant to take on the former Malham Tarn home of Victorian MP and philanthropist Walter Morrison - known as the 'Grand Old Man of Craven'.

Tarn House, which overlooks the tarn, the highest marl lake in the UK, and its four surrounding properties, were the home of the Field Studies Council for more than 70 years until it closed in 2022.

Savills, which is marketing the property for the National Trust and is holding a viewing day tomorrow (Thursday) says the charity is looking for a 'long term tenant' with a 'proven track record' to take on the property which 'subject to planning' has the potential for a variety of uses, such as a hostel, wellbeing centre or food outlet.

Walter Morrison lived at Tarn House until his death in 1921, describing it as his 'mountain home'. During his time there, visitors included Charles Kingsley, author of The Water Babies, writer and art historian, John Ruskin, and Thomas Hughes, author of Tom Brown's Schooldays. Following a failed attempt following his death to sell the house and estate at auction, it was handed over to the National Trust in 1946.

Now, the grade two listed Tarn House is being offered to potential tenants, alongside the adjacent North Wing, Orchid House, High Stables and Sandhills Cottage.

Savills, which is marketing the property for the National Trust, says Tarn House’s origins lie in the shooting lodge built by Thomas Lister, the 4th Baron of Ribblesdale, originally as a summer house, in 1780. Two of the surrounding properties, North Wing and High Stables, which are both situated to the north, were additions in the early 1800's.

The main historic hunting lodge offers scope for a community-minded tenant to work alongside the National Trust as partners, with a variety of potential future uses suggested, subject to planning consent.

Susannah Pick, rural surveyor at Savills York, said: “The National Trust is seeking a long-term tenant with a proven track record and experience in their proposed use, with the aim of safeguarding these historic properties.

“Malham Tarn is a particularly popular spot within the Yorkshire Dales, and the availability of Tarn House presents a rare and unique opportunity to occupy premises suitable for a number of potential business uses.

"Subject to planning, the buildings could be used for an education or training centre, a small-scale food and beverage outlet, hostel accommodation or wellbeing space to name a few. Proposals for a range of uses are invited, with those which complement the properties and their surroundings, and which benefit local communities considered favourably.

“Due to the setting and the nature of this opportunity, we are anticipating a high level of interest and would encourage interested parties to come along to our viewing day on 15 August to see the quality of the facilities for themselves.”

Martin Davies, General Manager for the National Trust in the Yorkshire Dales, said: "The trust is working with a specialist national estate agency to seek an appropriate tenant for Malham Tarn House.

"Since the building was vacated by its previous tenant in 2023, we have taken our time to assess its condition and feasibility for potential future uses. We’ve also sought the local community’s views on the future of Tarn House via regular updates to the Parish Council and two community open days that were attended by over 90 people.

"The National Trust is committed to securing a sustainable future for this much-loved Malhamdale landmark, benefitting the local community and visitors alike. In the meantime, the Trust's specialist contractors have been carrying out approved restoration works to ensure Tarn House is preserved for generations to come."

Offers are currently being sought by the National Trust for the lease of Tarn House. A viewing day will be held tomorrow (August 15). Those wishing to attend should contact Susannah Pick at Savills York on 01904 617800 to register their interest.