Castlehead Wood

Wood, Forest in Cumberland Allerdale

England

Castlehead Wood

Derwentwater viewed from path at Castlerigg The path leads on through the Great Wood — Derwentwater viewed from path at Castlerigg Credit: Raymond Knapman

Castlehead Wood is a picturesque woodland located in the county of Cumberland, England. Situated near the town of Keswick, it covers an area of approximately 25 hectares and is renowned for its natural beauty and rich biodiversity. The wood is part of the wider Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its stunning landscapes.

The woodland is predominantly made up of mature broadleaf trees, including oak, beech, and birch, which create a dense canopy that provides a haven for a variety of wildlife. The forest floor is carpeted with a diverse range of flora, such as bluebells, primroses, and wild garlic, adding to the wood's charm and appeal.

Castlehead Wood offers numerous walking trails and footpaths, allowing visitors to explore the area and enjoy its tranquil atmosphere. One of the highlights of the wood is the viewpoint at the top of Castlehead Hill, which offers panoramic vistas of the surrounding countryside, including stunning views of Derwentwater and the dramatic fells beyond.

The woodland is also home to a variety of bird species, such as woodpeckers, nuthatches, and tawny owls, making it a popular spot for birdwatching enthusiasts. Additionally, the wood provides habitats for small mammals, including squirrels, badgers, and deer.

Castlehead Wood is a cherished natural resource in Cumberland, offering visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the beauty of the English countryside and experience the tranquillity of its ancient woodland. Whether one seeks a peaceful walk, a glimpse of wildlife, or simply a place to reconnect with nature, Castlehead Wood is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

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Castlehead Wood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.59445/-3.1313093 or Grid Reference NY2722. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Derwentwater viewed from path at Castlerigg

The path leads on through the Great Wood

Raymond Knapman

Heatwave at Calfclose Bay

Unusual weather at Derwent Water

Raymond Knapman

A stream enters Calfclose Bay

Catbells seen in background

Raymond Knapman

Boardwalk at The Ings

Raymond Knapman

Peaceful scene at Strandshag Bay

Path junction for Friars Crag and car park at Cockshot Wood

Raymond Knapman

Lunchtime in the Market Square in Keswick

Moot Hall seen in background

Raymond Knapman

The A66 crosses the River Greta near Keswick

Viewed from the ancient Calvert Bridge

Raymond Knapman

The tunnel under the A66 viaduct near Keswick

Raymond Knapman

Derwent Water from Friar's Crag

Clive Nicholson

Pasture on the south side of Stable Hills Farm

The path takes walkers past Stable Hills into this pasture and along the edge of this field near Derwent Water.

Clive Nicholson

Keswick Leisure Pool

Looking very deserted as closed on Mondays.

Oliver Dixon

Keswick Station as was

The station was formerly a station on the Cockermouth, Keswick and Penrith railway. Much of the station was demolished when the station was closed in 1972; the remainder, a grade II listed structure, is used as the annexe of a hotel. The station stands at one end of a very popular railway path for cyclists and walkers.

Oliver Dixon

Old lamp standard

An old lamp standard, possibly a gas light, stands on the platform of the old Keswick Station.

Oliver Dixon

River Greta

Looking upstream from a bridge on the Keswick to Threlkeld Railway Path. Calvert's Bridge stands a short distance upstream. Latrigg NY2724 rises in the background.

Oliver Dixon

Approach to the Bobbin Mill Tunnel

The Bobbin Mill Tunnel was originally one of the two tunnels on the Cockermouth, Keswick and Penrith railway line. The line was closed in 1972. The Greta viaduct in the background carries the A66 over the River Greta and was completed in 1977. It was voted "Best Concrete Engineering Structure of the Century" by "Concrete" magazine. Subsequently a path was constructed along the line of the old railway line from Keswick as far as Threlkeld. It was thought that the integrity of the tunnel might have been compromised by the viaduct construction and it was sealed off. An alternative route for the path was installed on a wooden walkway round the outside of the spur. The walkway was destroyed by Storm Desmond in 2015. When the path was reconstructed, it was determined that the tunnel was safe after all and was incorporated into the path. The path forms part of the C2C cycle route (National Cycle Network route 71) and is very popular with walkers and cyclists.

Oliver Dixon

West portal of the Bobbin Mill Tunnel

The Bobbin Mill Tunnel was originally one of the two tunnels on the Cockermouth, Keswick and Penrith railway line and was dug through a spur on the banks of the river Greta. The line was closed in 1972. In 1977, the Greta viaduct on the Keswick By-pass was constructed over the River Greta at a higher level, spanning the spur through which the tunnel was built. It was voted "Best Concrete Engineering Structure of the Century" by "Concrete" magazine. Subsequently a path was constructed along the line of the old railway line from Keswick as far as Threlkeld. It was thought that the integrity of the tunnel might have been compromised by the viaduct construction and it was sealed off. An alternative route for the path was installed on a wooden walkway round the outside of the spur. The walkway was destroyed by Storm Desmond in 2015. When the path was reconstructed, it was determined that the tunnel was safe after all and was incorporated into the path. The path forms part of the C2C cycle route (National Cycle Network route 71) and is very popular with walkers and cyclists.

Oliver Dixon