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Watchtree Nature Reserve

2.5 miles (4 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This super Nature Reserve near Carlisle has a series of cycling and walking trails to try.
The area consists of reedbeds, lagoons, woodland, wild flower meadows and an elemental garden. Look out for a variety of birdlife including Skylarks, Meadow Pipit and Stonechat in the meadows. Curlew, Snipe and Oystercatcher can be seen around the wetlands area. You can also see Roe Deer, Fox and Red Squirell in the woodland.
The reserve has an excellent visitor centre with information about the different interactive trails. Cycle hire is also available so you can explore the reserve by bike too.

Postcode

CA5 6NL - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Please click here for more information

Watchtree Nature Reserve OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Watchtree Nature Reserve Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Just to the south east of Carlisle there's nice waterside trails along the River Petteril at Wreay Woods. The peaceful woods are great for flora and fauna with kingfishers, dippers and otters to see by the river.
Just a couple of miles to the north east of nearby Brampton there's Miltonrigg Woods to explore. There's more peaceful woodland trails here with pretty bluebells in the spring and lots wildlife to see. Lanercost Priory is also located in this area. The English heritage run site was originally founded in 1169 as an Augustinian monastery. Today the substantial priory ruins are well worth a visit for the fascinating history and architecure.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Cumbria Walks page.

Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby

Photos

Watchtree Nature reserve - geograph.org.uk - 762642

Watchtree Nature reserve. The wind turbines looking south east

Watchtree nature reserve. - geograph.org.uk - 144678

Memorial stone

"Running hare" Watchtree Nature Reserve - geograph.org.uk - 572855

Running hare artistic piece

Gates - geograph.org.uk - 572800

Pair of gates north of Wiggonby on the road to Watchtree Nature Reserve.

View over the lake at Watchtree Nature Reserve - geograph.org.uk - 5344477

View over the lake

Pond in Pond Wood, Watchtree Nature Reserve - geograph.org.uk - 3320696

Pond in Pond Wood

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Watchtree Nature Reserve.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Watchtree Nature Reserve.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)