Aim: To create an accessible nature reserve in the heart of the town; loved, used and looked after by the local community.

Lead partner: Cumbria Wildlife Trust

New accessible access point and paths, rest places, signage and interpretation in the wildlife garden and pond will be created. There will also be community-led habitat enhancement: ponds, trees, wildflowers, orchard. Running alongside will be a four-year series of activities and events for families, young people, local community and under-represented groups to introduce, improve, enjoy and learn about the site.

This project also seeks to link up Penrith’s green spaces with a ‘greenways map’ for Penrith.

Autumn / Winter 2024 Update

Orchard research at the site has resulting in 50 fruit trees being planted by 30 volunteers. In addition, and thanks to the efforts of 13 volunteers, 600 additional scrubs have been put in on the west side of the site.

Volunteers have also been busy making signage for the orchard and cold frames for the tree nursery in Gosling Sike’s ‘Men’s Shed’. This is an initiative aimed at reaching a wider range of people, developing people’s skills and improving their wellbeing.

An access pathway along the south and around the ponds has now been completed and we have signage and seating development underway for a circular footpath due to start once permissive paperwork from the Council is in place. Development of the well has begun, including research into the its history and confirmation of its archaeological status, aiding in heritage improvement and education.

Sessions have been held with Cold Springs care home, some in conjunction with local schools helping to connect residents to seasonal changes outside. We also welcomed Ullswater College to the site collecting and processing berries, hosted ‘Young Volunteers North’ and attended tree growing days with ERT.

In pictures…

Thank you

This project is supported by the Access to Eden: breaking barriers, building bridges partnership project led by Eden Rivers Trust with a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Cumbria Wildlife Trust.