Nature reserves
A wonderful welcome awaits you at Smardale Nature Reserve
It’s said that the best things come to those who wait, so aſter many months of planning and work on the ground we’re delighted to reveal that the work to improve visitor access at Smardale Nature Reserve is now complete. Reserves Officer Andrew Walter tells us more…
It is a gem in the Westmorland Dales. With the new car park now complete, coming to discover it could not be easier. Within a short distance (and some luck) you will be welcomed by the sight of a red squirrel and seasonal wild flowers from the moment you arrive!
Railway-inspired cabins in the car park provide shelter, feature lookouts to the red squirrel feeding station and host interpretative material to guide your walk. If your visit falls on a weekend you may be greeted by a member of staff; otherwise, follow the signposts to Smardale over the raised walkway to discover the most popular section of the nature reserve. This will take you through ancient woodland and amazing wildflower grasslands into a spectacular landscape, past fascinating archaeology, under and over viaducts, to your destination at the end of the nature reserve near Newbiggin-on-Lune. There and back is 7 miles, but shorter and circular options can be made too. The first
than a mile find the very special flora of this area. The land linking Smardale to Waitby was acquired thanks to the generous giſt from Elizabeth and Michael Lamb. As it is so new to the Trust, the footpath is not as easy going as it is in the Smardale direction. It is uneven underfoot, and there are steep slopes where there used to be bridges. One day we hope to upgrade this access, but it is a significant piece of work that will require time and funding.
Red squirrels are resident and
can be seen year round. Photo: Luke Massey/2020VISION
half of the route is easy for wheelchairs and pushchairs. By 2020 it’s hoped that all of the track will be upgraded to the same high standard through to Newbiggin-on- Lune. See page 22.
The new car park is now the main access for Waitby Greenriggs. Follow the signs to Waitby and you will pass mindboggling geology through the deep cliff face of the cutings, and aſter less
Smardale Nature Reserve is now 5 miles long. It extends from Waitby Greenriggs (just half a mile from Kirkby Stephen), all the way to Newbiggin-on-Lune. The new parking arrangement was made possible thanks to grants from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority Sustainable Development Fund and the Eden District Council. Let us know about your visit… How many red squirrels did you see? How many plant species did you see?
Whether you’re a fab volunteer who has given time, you’ve given a donation to help fund the work or you wrote a leter in support of the planning application – THANK YOU!
The first section of a walk at Smardale Nature Reserve takes you through ancient woodland and under Smardale viaduct.
Are you interested in becoming a volunteer at Smardale?
Contact Senior Education and Volunteering Officer
Jamie Normington on 01539 816300
The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas
to find out more
24 Cumbrian Wildlife | May 2019
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44
