Getting here
54.53751, -3.06246
Best for
5 activitiesWildlife
Free75%Ancient woodland
Dog walks
Free72%Dogs allowed with public access
Heritage
Free68%Ancient woodland — historic landscape
Waterside walks
Varies68%Reservoir — waterside public access
Picnic day out
Free52%Reservoir — waterside day out
Trails nearby
Within roughly 5 km🚶
Walking
13
6 named nearby · 7 public paths
Named routePublic access
🚴
Cycling
7
7 named nearby
Named route
🐴
Horse riding
11
11 public paths
Public access
Named routes and paths nearby
Route 6 · Cycling0
Coast to Coast Walk (St Bees to Shap) · Walking0
Lakeside Amble, North Lakes Outdoors · Walking4.6 km
Cumbria Way · Walking118 km
Main Route · Cycling
Main Route · Cycling
About this reservoir
Thirlmere is a reservoir covering 1068 hectares managed by Forestry England within their forest estate. As an ancient woodland, it has been continuously wooded since at least 1600 AD — a rare and irreplaceable habitat rich in biodiversity and historical character.
Wildlife to spot
Photos
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🌱 Visiting this spring
- 🌸Ancient woodlands are famous for bluebell carpets in April and May — one of Britain's most spectacular wildflower displays
- 🐦Prime nesting season — listen for woodpecker drumming, warbler song and the first cuckoos from April
- 🦌Roe deer are active before the leaf canopy closes in — dawn and dusk are best
✓ Public accessFree entry🐶 Dogs
Good to know
- £Free to visit — no entry charge
- 🐕Dogs welcome
- 🌿Ancient woodland — rare wildlife habitat
- 🌳Large woodland — room to roam
Weather for this location
Next 14 daysLoading local forecast…
Nearby places
Useful places within 5 km
✦Greenside lead mines, ore works and smelt millHistoric site4.9 km→💧ThirlmereReservoir0 m→✦Round cairn on Dunmail RaiseHistoric site4.8 km→✦Top Power House electric power generation station and associated leat for Greenside lead mine centred 740m NNW of Hole-in-the-WallHistoric site4.2 km→⛪Wythburn ChurchReligious grounds2.9 km→✦Shoulthwaite Gill hillfort, ThirlmereHistoric site2.9 km→