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South West Lakes Trust, Value of Water Exhibition

Client

South West Lakes Trust

Role

Interpretation planning, exhibition design, production management

Location

Roadford Lake, Devon, UK

Project

South West Lakes Trust and South West Water set out to create a new interactive visitor centre at Roadford Lake that mixes education with enjoyment.

The goal was clear: help children and future generations understand the value of water, and inspire practical water-saving habits in response to current and future environmental challenges.

ABG Design won the project through a competitive tender and was appointed to lead the full interpretation planning and exhibition design process. The exhibition needed to be engaging for kids, rooted in real facts and figures, and flexible enough to work for families, schools, and the wider community visiting the lake.

SWLT exhibition - young girls dressed as water heroes
Young girl reading interactive water exhibition
Interactive information cards in SWLT exhibition

Our approach

Working closely with both partners, we developed the themes, learning outcomes, and tone of voice to ensure the story landed with younger audiences. Our approach focused on making complex environmental issues feel tangible and empowering, using playful interaction and clear takeaways.

We shaped a hands-on visitor journey built around discovery and action. Interactives were designed to be short, intuitive, and repeatable, while content was layered so children could explore at their own pace. A key thread through the experience was encouraging visitors to make a series of water-saving pledges before leaving, reinforcing learning through participation.

South West Lakes Trust exhibition room

Solution

ABG Design planned, designed, and managed the Value of Water exhibition from concept to completion. The exhibition blends child-friendly interactives with clear facts and figures, showing how water is sourced, protected, and saved across the South West.

Key moments include leak-tracking interactives, a “water-saving hero” experience, pledge-making, and playful learning through short animation and water-hero costumes, creating a fun, memorable push for water conservation at Roadford Lake.

South West Lakes Trust exhibition globe and clouds display
Young girls learning from interactive water exhibition

South West Lakes Trust has worked with ABG Design on a number of projects over more than a decade, from eye-catching leaflet design to super on-site interpretation. In 2025, Howard and his team very generously offered to produce our 25th anniversary publication free of charge as part of their support for our charity. Not only does it look stunning – an extra special souvenir for our volunteers, staff, Trustees, patrons and supporters – but Howard also kindly arranged paper and printing for us as well. Highly recommended.

Rosie Vine

South West Lakes Trust