Barkbooth Lot Nature Reserve is a very special place. Nestled in a quiet corner of the county, amongst some of the most picturesque countryside in Cumbria, it teems with life. The Trust has been fortunate enough to double the size of this wonderful nature reserve and, we hope, double the interest for the visitor.

Joe Murphy, Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s Senior Reserves Officer, said: “For those who haven’t been, Barkbooth Lot is a mosaic of scrub, bracken, wetland and flower-rich grassland with two small man-made tarns, situated towards the head of the Winster valley.  It represents a rare mix of habitats in an area where most low fell land has been improved by agriculture. 

In summer, this nature reserve teems with butterflies and boasts being the best breeding site for the rare high brown fritillary away from its limestone strongholds.  On top of this, there is also superb dragonfly fauna, the rare medicinal leech and the wonderfully enigmatic glow worm. Scrub provides breeding sites for tree pipit, whitethroat and willow warbler in good numbers.”

Peter Bullard, Director of Cumbria Wildlife Trust, said: “In 2004, we were very fortunate to extend the nature reserve by being given a small field, Howbarrow Meadow, situated opposite Barkbooth Lot, which we are in the process of restoring to species-rich grassland. Last year we were lucky enough to acquire the adjacent woodland, Low Fell Plantation, through a lease and purchase of six acres.  The lease of Sandy Hill from the parish council has completed the jigsaw, allowing a new entrance to both halves of the extended nature reserve.”
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NOTES TO EDITORS
For further information contact Charlotte Rowley, Senior Marketing Officer, on 01539 816300 or 07921 958220.

What can I see in the new part of the nature reserve?

The new area covers about the same area as the original area of Barkbooth Lot and is a beautiful example of secondary bluebell wood.  The woodland consists primarily of oak and birch with occasional yew, ash, rowan, sycamore, larch, beech and copper beech.  Wetter areas are characterised by stands of alder with a beautiful area of old coppiced alder surrounding Arndale Beck in the south-east corner.

Springtime sees the woodland at perhaps its most special, with lush carpets of bluebells dominating. Other spring flowers include wood anemone, wood sorrel, enchanter’s nightshade and pignut. Wetter areas hold sedge-rich flushes along streams and seepage lines.  Around Arndale Beck, lush vegetation of opposite-leaved golden-saxifrage, wild angelica and meadowsweet lie next to flushed slopes dominated by ramsons.

About Cumbria Wildlife Trust

Cumbria Wildlife Trust is the only voluntary organisation devoted solely to the conservation of the wildlife and wild places of Cumbria. The Trust stands up for wildlife, creates wildlife havens, and seeks to raise environmental awareness.

Formed in 1962 and supported by over 15,000 members, the Trust cares for over 40 nature reserves, campaigns for the protection of endangered habitats and species such as limestone pavements and red squirrels, and works with adults and children to discover the importance of the natural world.

Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Plumgarths, Crook Road, Kendal, Cumbria  LA8 8LX
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Registered in England as Cumbria Wildlife Trust Limited, a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 724133. Registered Charity No. 218711.

Protecting Wildlife for the Future