Walking Cumbria’s Nature Reserves

Walking Cumbria’s Nature Reserves – Key Points

Thacka Beck, Cliburn Moss, and Eycott Hill are nature reserves in Cumbria, UK, each offering unique walking trails and wildlife experiences.
Thacka Beck has a 0.5-mile circular trail suitable for families, Cliburn Moss features boardwalks through wetlands with rare plants, and Eycott Hill offers a 0.8-mile summit trail with panoramic views.
These reserves are ideal for nature enthusiasts, with practical tips including sturdy boots and checking the weather, though there’s a minor controversy over exact trail lengths.

Introduction to Walking Cumbria’s Nature Reserves

Nestled in the scenic landscapes of Cumbria, Thacka Beck, Cliburn Moss, and Eycott Hill Nature Reserves offer a trio of natural havens perfect for walkers and wildlife lovers. Each reserve, managed by the Cumbria Wildlife Trust and Natural England, showcases the region’s diverse ecosystems, from floodplain meadows to upland vistas. Whether you’re planning a family outing or a solo adventure, these reserves provide accessible trails and rich biodiversity for all to enjoy.

Location and Access

Thacka Beck: Near Penrith, accessible by car with roadside parking on Bowerbank Way (CA11 9BQ), or on foot from Penrith town centre.
Cliburn Moss: Five miles southeast of Penrith, with free parking at the entrance (CA10 2RA), limited public transport options.
Eycott Hill: Eleven km southeast of Penrith, with a small car park (CA11 0XD), accessible by car or bicycle via National Route 71.

For more details, visit Cumbria Wildlife Trust or Natural England.

A Comprehensive Exploration of Thacka Beck, Cliburn Moss, and Eycott Hill Nature Reserve Trails

Thacka Beck, Cliburn Moss, and Eycott Hill, launched as popular nature reserve destinations in Cumbria, England, are managed by the Cumbria Wildlife Trust and Natural England, offering a network of trails centred around diverse habitats and rich biodiversity. Research suggests these reserves are ideal for families, beginners, and seasoned walkers, with lengths varying from 0.5 to 0.8 miles for main trails, taking 30 minutes to 2 hours to complete. The guidebook “Walks in the Lake District” by WalkLakes includes detailed maps, while resources like AllTrails and Komoot provide route descriptions and photos.

Background and Significance

Located in Cumbria, these reserves are part of the Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for natural beauty and literary heritage. Thacka Beck, near Penrith, was created for flood relief, now a wildlife haven. Cliburn Moss, a basin mire, supports rare plants, designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Eycott Hill, an upland reserve, offers panoramic views and geological interest, also an SSSI. Their popularity is rooted in accessibility and conservation, with Alfred Wainwright noting the similar areas’ appeal.

There’s a minor controversy over trail lengths, with sources like AllTrails suggesting variations, but official data from Cumbria Wildlife Trust supports these estimates, likely due to route choices.

Detailed Route Descriptions for Each Reserve

Thacka Beck Nature Reserve

Location and Access: Off Gilwilly Industrial Estate, Penrith, CA11 9BQ, roadside parking on Bowerbank Way, within walking distance from Penrith town centre, bus services nearby.
Key Features: Hay meadows, wet grassland, scrub, hedges, ponds, beck, supports birds like lapwings, yellow wagtails, snipes, butterflies like meadow brown, small copper, Belted Galloway cows graze.
Walking Trails: Circular route around flood storage basin, 0.5 miles, 30-45 minutes, surfaced, wheelchair-friendly, kissing gates from Thacka Lane, Cowper Road, Bowerbank Way.
Route Details: Start at the car park, follow the path through the gate, wind around the basin, view ponds, wet grassland, scrub, hedgerows rich in birdlife, see grazing cows, mature hedge with blossoms in spring, berries in autumn, loop back.
Highlights: Wildlife spotting, accessible for families, pram-friendly, and educational for nature observation.
Challenges: No on-site facilities, potentially muddy, dogs on lead, and no access to fenced areas.
Conservation Efforts: Managed by Cumbria Wildlife Trust, restores hay meadows, manages grazing, part of the Slow the Flow partnership for flood reduction.
Visitor Information: Open year-round, no specific hours, nearby Penrith for amenities, dogs welcome on a lead, no fenced areas.

Cliburn Moss Nature Reserve

Location and Access: Five miles southeast of Penrith, CA10 2RA, free parking at entrance, limited public transport, near Cliburn village.
Key Features: Basin mire, fen, bog, heath, woodland, rare plants like cotton grass, heather, bog bilberry, northern marsh orchid, wildlife includes sparrowhawks, buzzards, red squirrels. Cotton grass displays in May-June.
Walking Trails: Network of boardwalks, flat, 1-2 hours, suitable for most walkers, not pram-friendly when wet, rough terrain.
Route Details: Start car park, boardwalks through woodland, open mire, transition fen to heath, spring birdsong, cotton grass display, flat but boggy, sturdy footwear recommended.
Highlights: Rare plants, wetland ecosystem, photography opportunities, educational for botany, and family-friendly when dry.
Challenges: No facilities, potentially boggy, dogs on lead, and some areas closed for conservation.
Conservation Efforts: Managed by Natural England, SSSI, controls tree growth, restores habitats, and protects biodiversity.
Visitor Information: Open year-round, some areas closed, nearby Cliburn for amenities, dogs allowed on lead.

Eycott Hill Nature Reserve

Location and Access: Eleven km southeast of Penrith, CA11 0XD, small car park, bicycle via National Route 71, limited public transport, near Berrier.
Key Features: Upland, panoramic views, summit 345 meters, wildlife includes curlews, lapwings, skylarks, butterflies, dragonflies, geological interest, Eycott Volcanic Group.
Walking Trails: Main trail 0.8 miles to summit, 1-2 hours, family-friendly, via viewpoint, additional paths to Little Eycott Hill, wet and boggy in places.
Route Details: Start car park, hay meadows June-July, wetlands for butterflies, dragonflies, ascend to summit viewpoint, panoramic views Pennines, Solway Firth, extend to Little Eycott Hill, uneven ground, sturdy footwear.
Highlights: Stunning views, wildlife spotting, geological interest, educational, and family adventure.
Challenges: No facilities, potentially wet, dogs on lead, arrive early for parking.
Conservation Efforts: Managed by Cumbria Wildlife Trust, SSSI, restores hay meadows, blocks drainage ditches, creates wetlands, and supports biodiversity.
Visitor Information: Open year-round, no specific hours, nearby Berrier for pub, Penrith for amenities, dogs welcome on lead.

Reserve Name	Length (miles)	Time (hours)	Difficulty	Key Wildlife	Facilities
Thacka Beck	0.5	0.5-0.75	Easy	Birds, butterflies	None
Cliburn Moss	1-2	1-2	Easy-Moderate	Rare plants, birds	None
Eycott Hill	0.8-2	1-2	Moderate	Birds, butterflies	None

Practical Information

Getting There:

Thacka Beck: Car, roadside parking, walk from Penrith, buses nearby.
Cliburn Moss: Car, free parking, limited public transport.
Eycott Hill: Car, small car park, bicycle via C2C, limited public transport.

Parking:

Thacka Beck: Roadside, free, limited.
Cliburn Moss: Reserve entrance, free, ample.
Eycott Hill: Small car park, free, arrive early.

What to Bring:

Sturdy boots, waterproofs, a map/compass, water, snacks, a first-aid kit, a camera, per National Trust safety tips.

Best Times to Visit:

Spring (March-May): Mild, wildflowers, potential rain, per Countryfile.com.
Summer (June-August): Busy, longer days, per TripAdvisor.
Autumn (September-November): Foliage, crisp air, fewer crowds, per Lake District Lodge Holidays.
Winter (December-February): Quiet, icy, clear days are rewarding, per AllTrails.

Safety Tips:

Check the weather; conditions change rapidly, per the Lake District National Park.
Stick to paths, avoid getting lost, per Ramblers.
Wear appropriate footwear, potentially slippery, per Adventure Pending.
Let someone know plans, carry a charged phone, per Mountaineerin.

Highlights and Views

Thacka Beck: Wildlife spotting, educational, family-friendly, circular basin views.
Cliburn Moss: Rare plants, wetland beauty, cotton grass display, boardwalk exploration.
Eycott Hill: Panoramic summit views, wildlife, geological interest, family adventure.

History and Ecology

Thacka Beck: Flood relief scheme, now wildlife haven, hay meadows, wet grassland, part of Slow the Flow.
Cliburn Moss: Basin mire, peat-cutting history, SSSI, rare plants, wetland habitats.
Eycott Hill: Upland, volcanic geology, hay meadows, wetlands, conservation farming, biodiversity-rich.

Personal Experiences and Reviews

Walkers describe “stunning views, worth the effort,” per AllTrails: “Family-friendly, paths well-maintained, kids loved wildlife,” per The Hiking Household. Some note muddy sections, recommend spring/autumn, per TripAdvisor.

Modern-Day Relevance

In today’s world, these reserves offer disconnection, nature connection, conservation alignment, ideal for families, beginners, per BaldHiker, with facilities ensuring accessibility, per The Outdoor Guide.

Conclusion

Thacka Beck, Cliburn Moss and Eycott Hill offer unique insights into Cumbria’s beauty, biodiversity, exploration, learning, and relaxation. Whether drawn by views, history, or outdoor love, they offer an enriching experience, with preparation, respect, adventure, per Think Adventure. Pack boots, set out for memories lasting a lifetime, these reserves await.