Park Wood

image of Park wood nature reserve in winter

Park Wood

Park Wood is a serene ash woodland that’s had continuous woodland cover for hundreds of years. Limestone pavement is a feature of the local area and at Park Wood trees struggle to root and grow amongst it, so the woodland canopy is sparse.

Location

Near Hutton Roof
Hutton Roof
Cumbria
LA6 2PF

OS Map Reference

OS 1:50,000. Sheet no. 97
Grid reference SD 568 780

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A static map of Park Wood

Know before you go

Size
15 hectares
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Entry fee

All donations are gratefully received.
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Parking information

Layby
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Bicycle parking

No
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Grazing animals

No
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Walking trails

A network of paths takes you through the reserve to stiles at the wall boundaries onto open access land.

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Access

A public footpath from Hutton Roof village takes you through Lowther Court along a track to the nature reserve entrance.

Dogs

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When to visit

Opening times

Open all year round

Best time to visit

April to August

About the reserve

Wildlife highlights

  • Bluebell, wood anemone, wild garlic and primrose blooms cover the woodland floor from April.
  • Enjoy the sweet-smelling scent of mezereon in early spring.
  • Look out for nuthatch and treecreeper throughout the year.          

What makes Park Wood Nature Reserve so special?

Field maple is found here at the northern edge of its range alongside ash and oak, with hazel, holly and hawthorn forming the main scrub species beneath the canopy.

Spindle, crab apple and alder buckthorn provide an early source of pollen and nectar for bees and other insects, as well as a food source for many birds.

Residents include nuthatch, great spotted woodpecker, woodcock and tawny owl.

Park Wood Nature Reserve also shares a colony of northern brown argus with Hutton Roof Common, and fritillary butterflies are seen along the woodland edge and rides, together with speckled wood.

Recent history

Park Wood is leased from Natural England.

Getting here

By car:

From Kirkby Lonsdale follow the A65 towards Kendal. After the petrol station turn left onto Gallowber Lane (signposted Biggins, Hutton Roof). Follow this road until you reach the village of Hutton Roof. Continue down the hill through the village until you come to a development (Lowther Court) on the right. Park in the layby at the entrance to Lowther Court.

By bicycle

The reserve is 7.3km/4.5 miles (approx) from Regional Route 90.

By public transport

Buses run from Kendal and Lancaster to Hutton Roof.

Contact us

Scott Petrek
Contact number: 01539 816300

Did you know?

Park Wood is an old coppice woodland. Look for hazel trees with multiple stems.

Upcoming events at Park Wood Nature Reserve

If there are any upcoming events at Park Wood Nature Reserve we'll show them to you below.

A top down view of magazines and guides on a wood background, with wildlife and people images on the front
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