Bleathwaite Old Wood

Wood, Forest in Lancashire South Lakeland

England

Bleathwaite Old Wood

Torver Goods Yard The old railway goods yard at Torver is now used by a local builder for storage. The stone built goods shed contained a loading platform upon which was mounted a 1 ton hand operated crane manufactured by R. Kitchen ironfounders in Warrington. The crane has subsequently been relocated to the rear of The Wilson’s Arms. The goods shed was used as a hay barn after the railway closed but lost its roof in a fire and stood derelict for a number of years before being repaired, altered and re-roofed and brought back into use. — Torver Goods Yard Credit: Adrian Taylor

Bleathwaite Old Wood is a picturesque woodland located in Lancashire, England. Covering an area of approximately 50 acres, it is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its significant ecological value. The wood is situated in a rural setting, surrounded by rolling hills and meadows, making it an idyllic retreat for nature enthusiasts and hikers.

The woodland is predominantly composed of ancient oak trees, some of which are estimated to be over 500 years old. These majestic trees provide a dense canopy that allows limited sunlight to penetrate the forest floor, creating a unique microclimate and supporting a diverse range of flora and fauna. Bluebells, wood anemones, and wild garlic flourish in spring, carpeting the forest floor with vibrant colors.

Bleathwaite Old Wood is also home to a variety of bird species, including woodpeckers, owls, and various songbirds. The tranquil atmosphere and abundance of food sources attract a wide array of birdlife throughout the year, making it a popular spot for birdwatchers.

The wood is crisscrossed by a network of footpaths and trails, allowing visitors to explore its natural beauty at their own pace. It is advisable to wear appropriate footwear, as the paths can be uneven and muddy in wet weather.

Managed by the local conservation authority, Bleathwaite Old Wood offers an opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in a truly ancient and enchanting woodland, providing a haven for wildlife and a place of tranquility for all who visit.

Show me another place!

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Bleathwaite Old Wood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.354423/-3.0930366 or Grid Reference SD2995. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Torver Goods Yard

The old railway goods yard at Torver is now used by a local builder for storage. The stone built goods shed contained a loading platform upon which was mounted a 1 ton hand operated crane manufactured by R. Kitchen ironfounders in Warrington. The crane has subsequently been relocated to the rear of The Wilson’s Arms. The goods shed was used as a hay barn after the railway closed but lost its roof in a fire and stood derelict for a number of years before being repaired, altered and re-roofed and brought back into use.

Adrian Taylor

Torver

The road here passing in front of the cottages and The Wilson Arms was originally the A593 road until it was realigned between a point near Torver Station and Dalton Road Gates level crossing, taking advantage of the alignment of the former railway.

Adrian Taylor

Torver Station

The station building is now let as a holiday cottage and the old platform is still visible. The platform and track bed have been converted into a garden with a fenced pond. Torver station was on the Foxfield to Coniston branch of The Furness Railway. It was only provided with a single low platform; the red sandstone coping stones still bear a few faint traces of white paint on the platform edge more than 60 years after the line closed to passengers.

Adrian Taylor

Coniston village sign

This road sign on the A593 was erected by Lancashire County Council, pre-dating the formation of Cumbria in 1974 which incorporated that part of Lancashire north of Morecambe Bay. Located at Park Gate, the sign is unusually far from the village, being almost 1.6km (1 mile) south of the centre of Coniston.

Adrian Taylor

Rocky path in Torver Common Wood

The Cumbria Way follows a public footpath along the western shore of Coniston Water through Torver Common Wood, rounding a rocky spur above the lake shortly before reaching Harrison’s Coppice (next photograph SD2994 : Paths in Torver Common Wood).

Adrian Taylor

Gate beside Coniston Water

The public footpath from Delicars to Coniston passes through the gate leading from Torver Common Wood into Harrison Coppice. The waymark on the right hand gatepost indicates that this is the route of The Cumbria Way (next photograph SD2994 : The Cumbria Way, Harrison Coppice).

Adrian Taylor

The Cumbria Way near Coniston Water

The Cumbria Way follows the public footpath from Delicars to Coniston along the western shore of Coniston Water (next photograph SD2994 : Gate beside Coniston Water).

Adrian Taylor

Paths in Torver Common Wood

The path on the left doubles back up through the wood towards the top of Torver Back Common. The public footpath from Delicars to Coniston and The Cumbria Way follow the path dropping down to the right towards the shore of Coniston Water (next photograph SD2994 : The Cumbria Way near Coniston Water).

Adrian Taylor

Pasture south of Coniston

Park coppice behind and Grizedale Forest on the hills

Eirian Evans

Grazing near Coniston Park Coppice

Eirian Evans

Cragg Cottage

On the northern outskirts of Torver. In the process of making a new parking area.

Eirian Evans

The Wilsons Arms, Torver

Public House with attached Deli

Eirian Evans

The Cumbria Way, Harrison Coppice

The Cumbria Way follows the public footpath from Delicars to Coniston along the western shore of Coniston Water through Harrison Coppice (next photograph SD3094 : Ford in Harrison Coppice).

Adrian Taylor

The Coniston Branch near Park Gate

Now only used by walkers and sheep, this is the route of the former Furness Railway branch line from Foxfield to Coniston. The last passenger service ran on 4 October 1958 with a final enthusiasts’ special train on the 27 August 1961. The last freight train ran during the week ending 29 April 1962 and the track was lifted early in 1963.

Adrian Taylor

Roughly grassed field at Dixon Ground

Dixon Ground is an area of land lying west of Coniston. The view here is from the publicly accessible part of the Walna Scar Road which has risen from the village. The steep, broken slope beyond lies across Church Beck and rises ultimately to Wetherlam.

Trevor Littlewood

Walna Scar Road stream crossing

A well constructed, stone-built feature allowing Hussey Well Beck to flow across the Walna Scar Road without causing undue erosion to its surface.

Trevor Littlewood

Have you paid and displayed?

The 'waste ground' here at the end of the publicly motorable stretch of the Walna Scar Road was for years accepted as a free car parking area for visitors and walkers, the photographer has used it a number of times in the past. Now, (early 2022), the Rydal estate levies a charge of £8 for all day parking! There are no facilities, no surfacing to the area, in fact no improvement to the space other than the embedding of a few logs to demarcate some spaces. As can be seen, at least one vehicle has even had to be parked with the driver's side of it including the driver's exit, in a flood!

Trevor Littlewood

Old Bridge Marker on Hollage Bridge, Torver

Bridge Marker cut in the north parapet of Hollage Bridge, Torver Beck, on the A5084. Torver parish. Inscription reads C C HOLLAGE BRIDGE / REBUILT 1903. Milestone Society National ID: LA_TORV01br

Mike Rayner

Show me another place!

Bleathwaite Old Wood is located at Grid Ref: SD2995 (Lat: 54.354423, Lng: -3.0930366)

Administrative County: Cumbria

District: South Lakeland

Police Authority: Cumbria