Bretherdale Common

Downs, Moorland in Westmorland Eden

England

Bretherdale Common

Dyke on Birk Knott Roundthwaite Common. — Dyke on Birk Knott Credit: Richard Webb

Bretherdale Common is a captivating landscape located in the district of Westmorland, England. Situated amidst the pristine countryside, it encompasses a mix of downs and moorland, offering a diverse and picturesque environment. Spanning over a significant area, it is renowned for its awe-inspiring natural beauty and rich biodiversity.

The common is characterized by its gently rolling hills and undulating terrain, which are covered with lush green grasslands and heather moorland. The downs provide a delightful contrast, featuring wide expanses of open grassy areas, dotted with scattered trees and shrubs. The moorland, on the other hand, presents a wilder and more rugged aspect, with its heathery slopes and rocky outcrops.

Bretherdale Common is home to a wide range of flora and fauna. The grasslands support a variety of plant species, including wildflowers, sedges, and grasses. The moorland, with its acidic soil, nurtures heather, bilberry, and cotton grass. These habitats provide a haven for numerous bird species, such as curlews, lapwings, and skylarks, as well as mammals like red deer and brown hares.

The common also boasts several walking trails and paths, allowing visitors to explore its natural wonders. Whether it is a leisurely stroll through the downs or a more adventurous hike across the moorland, the common offers an enchanting experience for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

Overall, Bretherdale Common is a captivating landscape that showcases the beauty of downs and moorland. Its diverse habitats and abundant wildlife make it a truly remarkable destination for anyone seeking a connection with nature in Westmorland.

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Bretherdale Common Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.426204/-2.6450071 or Grid Reference NY5803. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Dyke on Birk Knott

Roundthwaite Common.

Richard Webb

Newly planted woodland, Roundthwaite

Very recent tree planting on enclosed farmland.

Richard Webb

Frost, Roundthwaite

A track to or from Borrowdale.

Richard Webb

Dyke, Birk Knott

The land to the right had just been planted with trees.

Richard Webb

Borrow Beck

Apart from the occasional short boulder garden and one cattle fence (just round a blind bend), this stretch is fairly typical of the run down Borrow Beck from the put-in at High Borrow Bridge by the A6 (perhaps easiest at the stepping stones where NY5503 : The Breasthigh road crosses Borrow Beck). Despite the low cloud and persistent drizzle, there's not really enough water to paddle this section today, but a kilometre and a quarter downstream from here the river starts to cut down a little, making the channel narrower, and the paddling more interesting and there's just about enough to bounce down the bottom 2½ kilometres.

Andy Waddington

The summit of Winterscleugh

Looking WNW along upper Borrowdale. (Note: this is the other, lesser-known Borrowdale.) Winterscleugh was added to the popular Fellranger list of Lake District hills when the border of the Lake District National Park was moved east.

Michael Earnshaw

Puddles and a waterlogged field

Mick Garratt

Public Bridleway to High Borrowdale

Mick Garratt

Ovine Obstacle

Mick Garratt

Tebay from Roundthwaite Common

Mick Garratt

On Birk Knott

Mick Garratt

Benchmark on stone in wall north of High Whinhowe

Ordnance Survey benchmark described on the Bench Mark Database at Link

Roger Templeman

Dry stone wall beside minor road north of High Whinhowe

There is an OS benchmark NY5805 : Benchmark on stone in wall north of High Whinhowe on a stone in front of the wall near the right hand side of the image

Roger Templeman