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← Back🌳 Broadleaved woodland

Thief Fold Wood

✦ Ancient woodland53 ha

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

Plan your visit

WildlifeBirdsSeasonal
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome53 ha

Getting here

54.41855, -2.95202

Open directionsv
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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
  • 🅿️Waterhead 6m away — 14 car parks within reach

Good to know

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

Best for

9 activities

Wildlife

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

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Jackdaw, Robin, Woodpigeon +80 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Jackdaw, Robin, Woodpigeon +80 more · last seen 2026

Free

Seasonal nature

Ancient woodland — bluebells, fungi and autumn colour; Plants — Salmonberry, Meadowsweet, Wood Avens +1 more · last seen 2026

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — public woodland

Free

Foraging

Traditional orchard — seasonal fruit, fungi and wild plants

Varies

Insect spotting

Traditional orchard — specialist orchard insects and lichens; Insects — Red-legged Shieldbug, Common Red Soldier Beetle, Garden Chafer +14 more · last seen 2026

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

25 signed routes nearby · 20 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Cumbria WayWalking route118 km
Named routeLength 118 kmRegional walking route
Miles without Stiles: Elterwater to Skelwith BridgeWalking route
Named routeRef 11Point-to-pointLocal walking route
Miles without Stiles: Wray Castle to LoanthwaiteWalking route
Named routeRef 47Point-to-pointLocal walking route
High Close Tree TrailWalking route1.9 km

Originally a hill farm, the High Close estate was re-designed after Wheatley-Balme bought it in 1857. Exotic flora was planted to enhance views of the surrounding fells. Some species are now grown for the International Conifer Conservation Programme

Named routeLength 1.9 kmDuration 01:30Round tripLocal walking route
Watbarrow Wood Waymarked Walk, Wray CastleWalking route1.1 km

Rought and uneven path with some steep sections around Watbarrow Wood.

Named routeLength 1.1 kmDuration 00:30Round tripLocal walking route
🚴

Cycling

78 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Route 6Cycling route
Named routeRef 6National Cycle Network
Route 637Cycling route
Named routeRef 637National Cycle Network
Regional Route 37Cycling route
Named routeRef 37Regional cycle route
Main RouteCycling route471 m
Named routeRef 6Length 471 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface unsealedfirm
Main RouteCycling route287 m
Named routeRef 6Length 287 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt
Main RouteCycling route114 m
Named routeRef 6Length 114 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface unsealedloose
🚵

Mountain biking

1 signed route nearby

Signed route nearby
Hawkshead Moor TrailMountain bike route
Named route
🐴

Horse riding

21 public paths nearby

Public paths
Skelghyll Lanebridleway · 121 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 121 mSurface asphaltPath type: residential
Skelghyll Lanebridleway · 510 m
Public pathbridlewayLength 510 mSurface asphaltPath type: residential

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Path junction in Skelghyll Wood

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

Path junction in Skelghyll Wood

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Weather for this location

Next 14 days

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Rothay ParkUrban park1.8 km→🌱Brockhole on WindermereUrban park2.1 km→🌱Rothay ParkUrban park1.8 km→✦BROCKHOLEHistoric site2.1 km→🌱University of Cumbria ParkUrban park2.2 km→🌱The Quiet GardenUrban park3.7 km→

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