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.

Spring 2025 Update

The circular path inside the reserve boundary is now open.

Additional paths for access routes have been constructed, with contractors secured and booked for upcoming work on pond platforms, well restoration, benches and other seating, a viewpoint structure and groundworks in the wildlife garden.

The focus in Spring was working with young people. The King’s Trust – an organisation for 16-30s who are not in work, education or training – took on the barn restoration as part of their course. A session was held with Penrith Youth Club, supporting eight 13- and 14-year-olds to connect with nature and learn about the project. The University of Cumbria wildlife students have been engaged in attending events following a talk on the project at the university.

Educational contacts have also been expanded, working with St Catherine’s Primary school in Penrith, where pupils have enjoyed workshops about the nature and pond dipping at Cold Springs.

Local cubs and Scouts have been creating a treasure trail which will go around Cold Springs for its opening day, which has promoted ownership and anticipation around the reserve. The older Scout group now feel able to attend the reserve on their own to run workshops and perform maintenance tasks.

We have started public volunteering days outside of school hours, allowing those with regular job hours and students to come along.

Work continues for the benefit of dementia sufferers, with sessions in Cold Springs Care Home & ‘Time in Nature’ public sessions.

A public consultation event was held to keep the community up to date, with thirty-five in attendance. Lots of suggestions, including community moth trapping and dragonfly monitoring, have been arranged for summer 2025. A local Wellbeing group are also now using the reserve to run photography workshops throughout the year.

CWT is working closely with both PACT and Garden Organic – organisations that offer up new audiences and varied areas of interest (climate resilience and community gardening respectively), bringing in new people, ideas and help. Garden Organic will be integral to creating and running community composting on site.

Regular volunteers and Steering group members continue to be committed and active, and enjoyed several free training sessions, including orchard pruning and tree grafting.

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.