Plan your visit
Getting here
54.53751, -3.06246
Best for
5 activitiesWildlife
Strong match
Ancient woodland
Dog walks
Good match
Dogs allowed with public access
Heritage
Good match
Ancient woodland — historic landscape
Waterside walks
Good match
Reservoir — waterside public access
Picnic day out
Moderate match
Reservoir — waterside day out
Trails nearby
Within roughly 5 km🚶Walking
v6 signed routes nearby · 7 public paths nearby
Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Walking
Coast to Coast Walk (St Bees to Shap)Walking route▾
Lakeside Amble, North Lakes OutdoorsWalking route4.6 km▾
Cumbria WayWalking route118 km▾
Rosthwaite Round, Fells, Tarn and Beck Walk, North Lakes OutdoorsWalking route8.4 km▾
This favourite walk of National Trust rangers will take you to a Borrowdale gem, the hamlet of Watendlath. Along the way, you'll discover oak woodland, two tarns (mountain ponds) and stunning Lakeland views.
Walla Crag to Ashness Bridge walk, North Lakes OutdoorsWalking route7.2 km▾
Through valleys, over streams & up to spectacular viewpoints, the landscape here near Derwent Water, the ‘Jewel of the Lake District’ is magnificent in every season. Enjoy the timeless beauty of Ashness Bridge, the lake & Skiddaw as a backdrop.
🚴Cycling
v7 signed routes nearby
Signed route nearby
Cycling
Route 6Cycling route▾
Temporary redirection of NCN 6 due to storm damage
Main RouteCycling route5.8 km▾
Main RouteCycling route1.3 km▾
Main RouteCycling route28 m▾
Main RouteCycling route5.8 km▾
Main RouteCycling route324 m▾
🐴Horse riding
v11 public paths nearby
Public paths
Horse riding
No named routes yet. Public paths are shown on the map.
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
15 photos from nearby open sources
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Photos
15 photos from nearby open sources
Photos
Visiting this spring
Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now
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Visiting this spring
Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now
- 🌸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
🌱 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
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
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Nearby places
Useful places within 5 km