Status
Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
National Nature Reserve (NNR)
Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Access
Howe Ridding Wood is 0.7km/0.4 miles from a public road and is accessed via a public footpath. The path can be muddy and has some steep sections. From the reserve entrance, the main path goes as far as the orchard (0.7km/0.4 miles). There is no circular route and visitors must return along the same path (2.8km/1.6 miles total).
Directions By car From A590 take road signposted for Witherslack. Follow this through village, pass Witherslack Hall School and continue for a further 1.5km/0.9 miles. Park where a public footpath leaves the road on the right hand side and follow the path through the woods for 0.7km/0.4 miles until the reserve is reached. By bicycle The reserve is 5km/3 miles from National Route 72 (Walney to Wear). By public transport Buses run from Barrow in Furness, Ulverston and Kendal to Witherslack.
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Whitbarrow - Howe Ridding Wood
Highlights
Active hazel coppice, wild daffodil, bluebell. Dark green, pearl-bordered, high brown and silver-washed fritillary butterfly.
Overview
Howe Ridding Wood is the most northerly part of Witherslack Woods, a large expanse of ancient woodland on the western side of Whitbarrow Scar. Much of the nature reserve overlies the same Carboniferous limestone which forms the Scar.
What to see
Yew and Lancastrian whitebeam are present on cliffs and screes, whilst on terraces, ash, oak and birch are more common and small-leaved lime is also present. The ground flora is exceptionally rich with several nationally scarce species present such as dark red helleborine, hoary rock-rose, mezereon and rigid buckler-fern. Other uncommon plants include green hellebore, wild daffodil and herb-Paris.
Traditionally, the woodland was managed by coppicing and this was re-introduced in 1994 with a plot being cut every year. Coppice management benefits a number of butterfly species, including pearl-bordered fritillary and high brown fritillary, by allowing sunlight to the woodland floor and encouraging plants to flower.
At the northern end of the nature reserve is a small traditional orchard which has been replanted with Westmorland damson and apple trees. The western edge of the wood is on the boundary of the limestone and the Silurian shale and Calf Close Wood, which overlies the shale, is a total contrast to the rest of the nature reserve with oak, birch and alder the dominant tree species. Bluebells are more numerous here.
Both roe and red deer are present at Howe Ridding Wood meaning that the coppice plots have to be temporarily fenced to allow the trees to re-grow. Buzzard, raven, sparrowhawk, woodcock, great spotted woodpecker, redstart and nuthatch are all regularly seen.
Recent history
The nature reserve has been leased to the Trust by Natural England since 1998.
Find us on
Protecting Wildlife for the Future
Registered in England as Cumbria Wildlife Trust Limited,
a Company Limited by Guarantee No. 724133.
Registered Charity No. 218711.
Overview
At the northern end of the nature reserve is a small traditional orchard which has been replanted with Westmorland damson and apple trees. The western edge of the wood is on the boundary of the limestone and the Silurian shale and Calf Close Wood, which overlies the shale, is a total contrast to the rest of the nature reserve with oak, birch and alder the dominant tree species. Bluebells are more numerous here.
