Holy Well and Springs - Cold Springs Nature Reserve (CWT)

Exploring Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s Cold Springs nature reserve, its wildlife garden, meadow, ponds and the historic Dickey Bank Holy Well.
0.38 miles
Easy
60m
1hr

Walk Information

On entering the reserve, pass through new woodland and east passing the wildlife garden and continue east through the meadows. On reaching the wildlife ponds, you'll head uphill to reach the historic Dickey Bank Holy Well. People in Penrith celebrated this well each May with a ‘bottle shaking’, which is still held at Cold Springs reserve.

Surface Details

Uneven, cambered terrain in places, with some stretches as accessible path. Can be amended for accessibility. Not suitable for dogs.

Accessibility

Please be aware of livestock whilst walking in the countryside, most cows and sheep on public right of ways are safe but stay alert to the potential risk to you and your walking party, especially with cows and calves (see the link for more info. to stay safe). Keep your dog on a lead around all livestock, even if your dog is especially well-behaved, the poor sheep don’t know this! Especially in lambing time, try to leave the field as calm as you found it. To learn more about walking in the countryside around farm animals please visit: Countryside Walking Tips: Safety Around Livestock at: www.rspcaassured.org.uk/farmed-animal-welfare/other-animal-welfare-concerns/advice-for-walking-in-the-countryside/

Plan Your Visit

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Nearest Bus Stop: Fir Bank. Route 646
Nearest Train Station: Penrith
Parking: 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 local residents. 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.

Directions

1
Starting on Scaws Field, enter Scaws Wood and follow the constructed path. Passing a gate, you leave the wood and enter the nature reserve. W3W launcher.threading.engages
2
Follow the signpost right (east) through a double gate towards the Wildlife Garden. Passing through the next gate, you can see the Wildlife Garden to your right, should you wish to stop off and enjoy it on your way. W3W delay.clocks.field
3
From here the constructed path continues across the meadows, passing through several gates (often left open) until you reach the Ponds. These are a great place to stop to enjoy the wildlife and reflect. W3W gazed.deprive.mango
4
From the ponds, the path slopes upwards (north east) across the meadow until you reach a small gate. Turn right through the gate, off of the main path and head down to a small fenced off area to see the historic Dickey Bank Holy Well. People in Penrith celebrated this well each May with a ‘bottle shaking’, which is still held at Cold Springs reserve. W3W visitor.digests.pressing
5
To exit, go back out the gate you came from but continue uphill. A small gate gives you access to the Viewpoint path that runs parallel with Beacon Edge. Turn right. W3W stopwatch.closets.retrain
6
The route continues east until joining exiting the reserve on to Beacon Edge road. From here you can head along the road in either direction, or south along the public right of way back towards Penrith. W3W gazed.deprive.mango