Work has begun on a National Trust project in the Lake District which will improve the visitor experience at the popular Aira Force waterfalls and surrounding landscape at Ullswater.

The works have been derived from the masterplan developed by Cass Associates in 2013 and include new vehicular and pedestrian entrances, improved car parking, a new visitor ‘welcome’ building, tree planting and a network of new footpaths.

The project has been designed to include high quality, traditional materials that will provide a long term benefit to the site with flowing lines of stone walling, estate fencing and gravel pathways directing visitors to key locations and revealing views down the Ullswater Valley.

Worked started on the project in November and is due for completion in February 2014 in time for the upcoming Spring and Summer season.

As well as the dramatic waterfalls and beck for which Aira Force is most known, the area also incorporates lake shore meadowland, open parkland and arboretum and has been owned by the National Trust for more than 100 years.