A Dartmoor activity centre is inviting youngsters to step back in time with the opening of its new replica bronze age roundhouse.

The Heatree Activity Centre which works with more than a thousand youngsters each year from across the country, already boasts the remains of two original roundhouses amid its 120 acres near Manaton but head of field studies Debbie Sandalls felt that the reconstructed version would provide an ideal environment for youngsters to learn about what life might have been like for moor dwellers 2-4,000 years ago.

Youngsters who visit the self-financing Christian-based centre are taken on a series of adventure-based learning opportunities aimed at assisting with the needs of the national curriculum. In addition to existing activities such as recreating a Victorian working day in the moor's quarries – complete with grisly mock industrial injuries – the youngsters will now be able to enjoy the challenge of facing the same questions as their ancient forebears such as: 'Ok, I'm cold. How do I build a fire, how do I find supper and who's going to fetch the water?'

The roundhouse is equipped with authentic period features such as an innovative smoke extractor (a gap where the door should be) and essential kitchen utensils such as rocks, antlers and animal skins. But don't worry, if that all sounds a bit too harsh the young guests staying at the centre can also retire to their en suite bedrooms at the end of a hard bronze age working day.

Construction started in March on the project and now the finished building stands some 10 metres across and an impressive nine metres tall. The skilled jobs were undertaken by three local men beginning with the stonemasonary skills of Bishopsteignton's Davin Foster. Later Sean Hellman from Dartington added the wooden roof frame and the project was topped off by Hennock thatcher David Trant, who also recently completed a re-thatch of his village hall. The craftsmen were assisted by a host of volunteers and stone for the project was donated by farmer Mr Whitley of Hedge Barton near Hound Tor.

Almost the total cost of around £10,000 was funded by the Dartmoor National Park's sustainable development fund which aims to promote educational and environmental projects.

Extending her thanks to everyone who has helped make the roundhouse a possibility, Debbie Sandalls said that the project had been both exciting and quite worrying as the building took shape.

The centre is open all year and can be contacted on 01647 221307.