History

The 15 hectares of farmland at Cold Springs, on the outskirts of Penrith, was given to Cumbria Wildlife Trust by Ann Clark, in memory of her late husband Brian Clark as part of their joint legacy. We are working in partnership with the local community, Eden Rivers Trust and Penrith Town Council to develop the Cold Springs Community Nature Reserve and to link up green spaces in the town.

What makes Cold Springs Community Nature Reserve so special?

Unlike other nature reserves, Cold Springs is not designated for special or unusual wildlife, although the waxcap fungi indicates that the grasslands have not been agriculturally improved. The site is a community nature reserve that will be transformed into a new place for nature over the coming years. There have been a number of feature trees planted on the site with species including silver birch, aspen, English oak, wych elm, wild cherry, crab apple and guelder rose. These species have been chosen as they are a varied mixture of seed and berry bearing species; a valuable resource to a wider range of wildlife, birds, small mammals and invertebrates. As well as this, they are typically locally native species.

With help from the community we will create an orchard and wildlife garden, restore the grasslands by planting wildflowers and restore the hedgerows that run alongside and within the site.

Volunteering
There are many opportunities to volunteer at Cold Springs Nature Reserve, working alongside Cumbria Wildlife Trust staff and volunteers to make Cold Springs a haven for people and nature. Volunteering opportunities include wildflower plug planting, planting a community orchard, creating a wildlife garden, wildlife monitoring, regular litter picks, as well as general site maintenance.

Ponds

There are two newly created ponds on the site. Ponds are often one of the quickest ways to increase wildlife to an area. There will be a rapid colonisation of the ponds by native aquatic plants, which will swiftly be followed by freshwater invertebrates such as dragonflies. Over time, amphibian species such as newts, frogs and toads should begin to follow.

Species

Wildflower species including devil’s-bit scabious, yarrow and wood sorrel have been planted to attract many species of pollinating insects such as bees, butterflies and moths.

In addition, a varied range of seed-and berry-bearing trees and shrubs such as aspen, oak, cherry, birch, rowan, crab apple, hazel, hawthorn, elder, spindle have been planted to increase the diversity of invertebrates, birds and small mammals at Cold Springs.

Getting here

There is no designated car park; however, there is an informal layby with parking for 4-5 cars on Beacon Edge Road. Please do not park on the residential streets nearby as this may cause disruption to the people living there. The community nature reserve is being created for people living in, or close to, Penrith and we ask that, if possible, people travel here on foot or by bike.