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High Birk

✦ Ancient woodland46 ha

📷 Karl and Ali · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Plan your visit

WildlifeBirdsSeasonal
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome46 ha

Getting here

54.32913, -3.04760

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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • ☀️June — canopy now fully closed, creating cool dappled shade even on warm days
  • 🐕Early mornings are best for dog walks in summer — visit before 9am to avoid the heat and find quieter trails
  • 📍Open access throughout summer — no booking required

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome
  • 🌿Ancient woodland — rare wildlife habitat

Best for

9 activities

Wildlife

Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles; Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Chaffinch, Robin, Blue Tit +70 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Chaffinch, Robin, Blue Tit +70 more · last seen 2025

Free

Seasonal nature

Ancient woodland — bluebells, fungi and autumn colour; Plants — Large White-moss, Marsh Forklet-moss, Heterocladium heteropterum +122 more · last seen 2024

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Meadow Brown, Peacock +60 more · last seen 2025; Insects — Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Meadow Brown, Peacock +60 more · last seen 2025

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — public woodland

Free

Foraging

Plants — Common Bistort, Raspberry, Corn Mint +8 more foraging species; Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic

Varies

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

16 signed routes nearby · 1 public path nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Cumbria WayWalking route118 km
Named routeLength 118 kmRegional walking route
Machell's Coppice TrailWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Bogle Crag Trail (long)Walking route
Named routeRound tripLocal walking route
Monk Coniston and Tarn Hows Trail, Tarn Hows and ConistonWalking route8 km

Walk from the head of Coniston Water to Tarn Hows on the picturesque circular made by 19th-century industrialist J G Marshall to wow guests at his estate. Pass farmland, wood & Monk Coniston Hall. Spot wildlife & enjoy Lakeland views. Short steep sections

Named routeLength 8 kmDuration 02:00-03:00Round tripLocal walking route
Beatrix Potter's Moss Eccles Tarn Walk, Hill TopWalking route4 km

Gentle walk to 1 of Beatrix Potter's favourite places, Moss Eccles Tarn. This is where the children's author spent time painting & is a great introduction to the place included in her books. Short steep sections. Muddy in wet weather. Potential livestock

Named routeLength 4 kmDuration 01:00Round tripLocal walking route
🚴

Cycling

11 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Route 637Cycling route
Named routeRef 637National Cycle Network
Regional Route 37Cycling route
Named routeRef 37Regional cycle route
Main RouteCycling route285 m
Named routeRef 637Length 285 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route442 m
Named routeRef 637Length 442 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route361 m
Named routeRef 637Length 361 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route99 m
Named routeRef 637Length 99 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
🚵

Mountain biking

6 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
The North Face TrailMountain bike route
Named route
Grizedale Tarn TrailMountain bike route
Named route
Silurian WayMountain bike route
Named route
Moor Top TrailMountain bike route
Named route
Hawkshead Moor TrailMountain bike route
Named route
Goosey Foot Tarn TrailMountain bike route
Named routeRound trip
🐴

Horse riding

26 public paths nearby

Public paths
Farra Grain Lower Bridgebridleway · 5 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 5 mSurface dirtPath type: bridleway

Wildlife to spot

Photos

The northern headwaters of Farra Grain Gill

📷 Karl and Ali · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

The northern headwaters of Farra Grain Gill

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Weather for this location

Next 14 days

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

⛪St Andrew's ChurchReligious grounds4.8 km→🌱Jackson Low WoodUrban park2.7 km→🌱Lower GardensUrban park2.8 km→✦Two bloomeries, 340m and 570m NNE of Hoathwaite Landing on Coniston WaterHistoric site2.9 km→🌱The PaddiesUrban park1.8 km→🌱The Farmhouse GardenUrban park2 km→

Nearby reservoirs

💧

Heald Lower

344 m→
💧

Dam 146

399 m→
💧

Hob Gill

Not High (England Use Only)1.7 km→

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