What to expect on the nature reserve: habitat, wildlife and more (hover over an icon for more info)

Seasonal highlights on the nature reserve 

Spring		Plants: primrose, bluebells, ramsons, may blossom, cow slips, bird’s-eye primrose, Orchids: early purple, bird’s foot sedge
Summer		Plants: bird’s-eye primrose, horseshoe vetch, common wintergreen, herb paris, alpine bistort, melancholy thistle, bloody cranesbill, rock rose, Ferns: limestone, adders tongue, moonwort. Orchids: fragrant, northern marsh, spotted, butterfly, frog, birds nest.   Butterflies: northern brown argus, scotch argus, common blue
Autumn		Plants: fellwort, devils bit scabious Butterflies: scotch argus Birds: flocks of goldfinch, long tailed tit, redwing, field fare, mistle thrush
Winter		Plants: hawthorn berries Bird: flocks of goldfinch, long tailed tit, redwing, field fare, mistle thrush
All year		Mammals: red squirrel, roe deer Birds: dipper, raven Others: archaeology, geology, landscape, stunning scenery

Overview

Smardale Gill National Nature Reserve occupies a 6km/3.5 mile section of disused railway line which once ran from Tebay to Darlington. At the northern end, the nature reserve includes the steep wooded slopes of the gill carved by Scandal Beck, whilst south of Smardale Gill Viaduct the character of the nature reserve changes and you find yourself in open rolling countryside typical of the area.

What to see

Woodland has probably been present in Smardale Gill since the medieval period and as a result a great diversity of plant species can be found here. Bluebells, primroses, wild garlic and many fern species can be seen in spring on the woodland floor. Many of the trees are multi stemmed, evidence that coppicing has occurred in the past. In summer, bird species include redstart, wood warbler and pied flycatcher whilst buzzard, treecreeper and sparrowhawk may be seen all year round. Non-native tree species, planted in the woodland in the past, are gradually being removed.

The grassland, which has colonised the railway cuttings and embankments, is also very rich in species due to the underlying limestone rock. Unusual plants to look for here include bloody cranesbill, fragrant and butterfly orchid. Smardale Gill is one of only two sites in England where the Scotch argus butterfly can be seen. Other butterflies include dark green fritillary, common blue, northern brown argus and dingy skipper. The grassland areas are managed by late summer/autumn grazing and manual scrub control.

Recent History

The Trust first purchased land at Smardale Gill in 1978, however there have been a number of subsequent acquisitions. The railway line was purchased from British Rail in 1991. The disused Smardale Gill Viaduct is owned by the Northern Viaduct Trust. The site became a National Nature Reserve in 1997.