Whinlatter Allotment

Wood, Forest in Cumberland Allerdale

England

Whinlatter Allotment

Path up Barrow The path climbs the northern spur. The ridge continues to Stile End and Outerside (catching the sun on the right). — Path up Barrow Credit: Ian Taylor

Whinlatter Allotment, located in Cumberland, England, is a picturesque woodland area primarily known for its rich variety of trees and diverse ecosystems. Situated within the larger Whinlatter Forest, it covers an extensive area and offers a tranquil escape for nature enthusiasts and those seeking outdoor recreational activities.

The allotment is home to an impressive array of tree species, including oak, beech, birch, and pine, among others, which create a dense and enchanting forest canopy. These trees not only provide essential habitats for a wide range of wildlife but also offer a stunning display of colors during the autumn season.

The forest is crisscrossed by a network of well-maintained trails, making it an ideal destination for hikers, walkers, and joggers of all abilities. These paths meander through the woodland, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the natural beauty while exploring the area at their own pace. Along the way, there are designated viewing points that provide breathtaking vistas of the surrounding countryside.

Whinlatter Allotment is also renowned for its diverse wildlife. The forest is home to various bird species, including the elusive crossbill and the majestic osprey. Keen-eyed visitors may spot red squirrels darting between the trees or catch a glimpse of a roe deer grazing in the undergrowth.

Aside from its natural wonders, the allotment offers additional amenities to enhance visitors' experiences. These include picnic areas, a visitor center with informative exhibits about the forest's flora and fauna, and a café serving locally sourced refreshments.

Overall, Whinlatter Allotment in Cumberland provides an idyllic setting for individuals to connect with nature, embark on outdoor adventures, and appreciate the beauty of a well-preserved woodland ecosystem.

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Whinlatter Allotment Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.606825/-3.207624 or Grid Reference NY2224. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Path up Barrow

The path climbs the northern spur. The ridge continues to Stile End and Outerside (catching the sun on the right).

Ian Taylor

Mountain bike track, Whinlatter

Steven Brown

Mountain bike track, Hospital Plantation, Whinlatter Forest Park

Steven Brown

Mountain bike track, Hospital Plantation, Whinlatter Forest Park

Steven Brown

Benchmark on Thornthwaite Chapel, Thornwaite

Benchmark description Link

OfficeOfPudseyBMs

North Loop bike trail coming out of Whinlatter forest onto the open fell

This mountain bike trail is supposed to be for bikes only and one-way, downhill. However signposting and trail marking is not all it could be, and we found ourselves walking uphill from a grassy forest ride onto the trail and were not prepared to lose a load of height to find our way back to a more suitable route. Fortunately, walkers are up and about earlier than bikers and we had the trail to ourselves until it rejoined the main forestry track. No bikes or riders were harmed by us or the dog... nor vice versa.

Andy Waddington

Track junction in Beckstones Plantation

Andy Waddington

Radiation fog clings to the slopes of Braithwaite How

A cold night has filled the valleys with radiation fog, with the peaks and higher slopes initially clear of the roiling mists. An increasing northwesterly wind is starting to move the air, and is bringing clouds to the tops, limiting the sunlight reaching the valleys. Where the trees slow the breeze, fog lingers on the slopes of Braithwaite How. Across the valley, Skiddaw is just losing its summit view - one had to be out early to get sun on the tops today !

Andy Waddington

Boulder among the bracken, Kinn

The underlying solid geology of Kinn is the Kirkstile Formation of laminated mudstones and siltstones of Arenig (Ordovician) age, but the boulder doesn't seem to match that description and is likely to be a glacial erratic, brought by ice sheets from elsewhere. The rounded shape supports that conclusion. There is no bedrock showing here, and the rock sits on a slope heavily infested with bracken, above scattered woodland showing autumn colours. The view across the rapidly clearing morning radiation fog is towards Skiddaw and Bassenthwaite (one of those very rare things in the Lake District - a lake - as opposed to a water or a mere).

Andy Waddington

Ascending Kinn towards Grisedale Pike

After a steep pull from the road, the path to Grisedale Pike ascends more gently for a while up Kinn, as the morning sun disappears behind increasing amounts of cloud formed by a stiff northwesterly breeze. This is hardly unexpected in the Lakes in November, but an hour earlier the tops had been clear above a thermal inversion causing fog in the valley and we'd hoped for better views at least early in the walk. The forecast predicted an hour with rain in the middle of the day, so we counted ourselves fortunate that that didn't materialise.

Andy Waddington

Looking back down Kinn

Kinn forms the normal route of ascent of Grisedale Pike from the northeast near Braithwaite and steepens into Sleet How at about the point where this photograph was taken. There's about 400m of ascent to go, the majority of it now steep, so photography is always a good excuse to avoid starting the day's hard work...

Andy Waddington

Sleet How climbs towards Grisedale Pike

After an initial steep pull from Kinn, the path up Sleet How eases off for a while before the longer climb to the summit of Grisedale Pike. The latter lies immediately above the steep section without any of the demoralising false summits that beset some of these hills. An increasing northwesterly was bringing cloud to the tops, but at this point, blue sky and patches of sunshine had appeared, fueling hopes of a summit view. Alas, it wasn't to be, but at least the approach provided good scenery.

Andy Waddington

Meanders in Coledale Beck

Whilst it looks pleasant enough, pollution from the Force Crag mines further up the valley is a significant issue in the beck and whilst there is some rediation in the form of settlement ponds, no effort seems to be being made to entirely remove the ugly workings and tackle the cause of the pollution at source, let alone at the original mine owners' expense as would be proper.

Andy Waddington

Traditional Cast Iron Fingerpost at Braithwaite

Situated in the little village of Braithwaite by the Coledale Beck. A water level marker can also be seen. Braithwaite is only 2.5 miles from Keswick.

Jennifer Petrie