Cumbria Wildlife Trust manages 41 nature reserves across the county. These havens for wildlife suit everyone from birdwatchers to families looking for an enjoyable day out.

The reserves also play host to conservation days and events and the ones listed below are all accessible by public transport and/or cycling and/or walking.

South Lakeland

Brown Robin Nature Reserve, Grange-over-Sands. Free to visit.

A peaceful woodland walk with amenities on the doorstep. Typical limestone woodland with magnificent display of spring flowers interspersed with species rich grassland. Wax cap fungi and yellow meadow ants are found here.

Getting here by public transport

Trains run from Barrow-in-Furness, Ulverston and Lancaster to Grange-over-Sands. Buses (No. X6) run from Kendal to Grange-over-Sands.

Address: Brown Robin Nature Reserve, Grange over Sands, Cumbria LA11 6EG

OS Map Reference: OS 1:50,000. Sheet no. 97

Windermere Road entrance. Grid reference: SD 411 791

what3words ///notes.richly.though 

Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve, near Witherslack. Free to visit

Ospreys use Foulshaw Moss nature reserve as a nesting site in spring-summer. A peaceful oasis offering something special for all wildlife lovers.  Although the landscape is challenging, boardwalks make visiting easy-going, with routes leading through peaty pools or onto the open moss where many different birds, mammals and insects are found.

Getting here by public transport

Buses (X6) run from Barrow-in-Furness, Ulverston, Newby Bridge, Grange-over-Sands and Kendal to Witherslack. Please take care when crossing the A590 road, as traffic can be extremely busy. 

Address: Off the A590, near Witherslack, Cumbria LA11 6SN.

OS Map Reference OS 1:50,000. Sheet 97

Reserve car park: Grid reference: SD 458 837

what3words ///herb.scaffold.sizing

Staveley Woodlands Nature Reserve, Staveley. Free to visit.

Community woodlands that are great for year-round exploring. These upland, mixed broadleaf woodlands are rich in mosses, ferns and liverworts. Bluebells and wild garlic carpet the wood in the spring and both pied and spotted flycatchers and redstarts are seen.

Getting here by public transport

Trains run to Staveley from Kendal and Windermere. Buses (555) runs from Kendal, Windermere and Ambleside. From Staveley village, a 11 min walk following the footpaths across the river, to the nature reserve.

Address: Staveley Woodlands, Staveley, Cumbria LA8 9QT.

OS Map Reference 1:50,000. sheet no. 97

Craggy Wood: Grid reference: SD 477 984

what3words ///notice.workflow.kitchen

Carlisle

Gosling Sike Nature Reserve, Houghton. Free to visit.

See farmland wildlife on the edge of town. Named after a small tributary of the River Eden, Gosling Sike is an organic working farm and the site of Cumbria Wildlife Trust's northern office. Enjoy visiting a wildlife garden that’s buzzing with life; walk though pasture, wetland, and woodlands to see farming and nature working in harmony.

Getting here by public transport

A main line train service goes to Carlisle. Buses (No. 179) run from Carlisle to Houghton and stop near the entrance.

Address: Houghton Road, Houghton, Carlisle, Cumbria CA3 0LD

OS Map Reference: OS 1:50,000. Sheet No. 85

Grid reference: NY 410 588

what3words ///including.fame.shorter  

Barrow-in-Furness

South Walney Nature Reserve, Walney Island. Free entry for members/Non-members adults £3.00 and children £1.00 -  all monies are used to help manage the nature reserve.

Home to the only grey seal colony in Cumbria. A time-honoured and fascinating nature reserve with rolling sand dunes and wetlands surrounded by wild Irish Sea. With stunning views across Morecambe Bay, this shingle island reserve is full of interest and a fantastic place for bird watching.

Getting here by public transport

Note this reserve is only partly accessible by public transport: Buses (No. 1) run from Barrow- in-Furness will only get you as far as Biggar Bank. Then factor in a 20 min cycle ride from Biggar Bank to the reserve. The views and wildlife are worth the effort.

Address: Walney Island, Barrow in Furness, Cumbria LA14 3YQ

OS Map Reference OS: 1:50,000. Sheet no. 96

Grid reference: SD 215 620

what3words ///fewest.adverbs.scariest