Cold Springs Community Nature Reserve Grand Opening

Penrith’s Cold Springs Community Nature Reserve opens in style on the last Sunday of May – traditionally the day each year where the site’s historic well was celebrated. For centuries, children gathered at the well on this day to fill their bottles with water and add sweets, shaking the bottles to make a fizzy pop! This ceremony was stopped in the early nineteenth century, but now, Cumbria Wildlife Trust is reigniting it to celebrate both the spring, and our wonderful wildlife!

We’re delighted to see this site thriving. Cold Springs Nature Reserve is one of eight doorstep sites forming Access to Eden: breaking barriers, building bridges partnership project led by Eden Rivers Trust with a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. A £2.6 million, four year partnership project creating opportunities for people to enjoy Eden’s rivers and nature, improving our green and blue spaces and providing opportunities, tools and training so that more people have the confidence and ability to explore and enjoy our rivers.

The nature reserve is beneath Penrith Beacon and local residents are all welcome to join in the fun. There’ll be family-friendly events, including the historic ‘bottle shaking’ ceremony at the well, which has been uncovered at the nature reserve. The last Sunday of May is traditionally the day each year when the site’s historic well was celebrated.

Booking isn’t required but check CWT’s website closer to the time for timings of the various activities. Please note, there’s no designated parking at the nature reserve, so please walk if you can. There’s limited parking at the laybys on Beacon Edge Road. Dogs are only allowed on the path around the upper edge of the nature reserve and not in the fields.