Conservation, Farming & Wetland Reserve

Conservation & Farming

When 45 acres of land became available adjacent to Link House, Keith could not resist! For many years we farmed in the Eden Valley, producing milk, beef, lamb & cereals. Farming is in the blood & cannot be ignored when opportunity comes knocking!

Conseravtion and Farming next to Bassenthwaite Lake Having entered the land into a Higher Level Stewardship scheme in order to consider carefully how best to enhance the habitat for wetland grazing birds & wildlife. We are now working closely with the Rural Development Service, English Nature, Countryside Agency, RSPB and the Environment Agency .One of the next projects is to re- build the fencing, lay and re-plant the old hedges and clean gutters out to control the water level. The Enviroment Agency and ourselves are looking to in the future put in a board walk and bird hides so people can see the bird life in a wetland sight. This will be part of a larger project that has been put together with a group called the Lake District Still Waters Partnership BASSENTHWAITE.
The partnership includes:

If you would like more information go to the following web site:-
www.lake-district.gov.uk/bassenthwaite

Lambs We now run a small flock of Herdwick ewes, initially bought to provide us with home reared lamb, but are now going to be used with the Long Horn cattle to manage the grazing in a traditional way. They will still provide us with grass reared lamb and beef. The Herdwick is the local breed of sheep here in the Lake District and can be recognized by their white face and grey/brown fleece. Many flocks are 'Hefted' to the fells and thus stay, without wandering from the unfenced fells where they were born.

The Longhorn cattle are a traditional and rare breed, which will thrive on poorer pasture, taking a longer time to mature and produce high quality meat. The long horns of these cattle, belies their docile nature! Longhorns have distinctive colouring; mottled dark plum to light roan with white patches on the legs and 'flinching' down their back.

* Please ask for details if you are interested in the purchase of meat.

Dubwath Silver Meadows

This is a unique wetland site at the north end of Bassenthwaite Lake is one of the county’s best havens for wetland flora and fauna.

The site extends to 17 acres and provides easy access for everybody with 900m of boardwalk made out of recycled plastic and 600m of pathway made from Honister stone.

This wetland area, opened in 2006 will help protect the water quality of Bassenthwaite Lake by offering natural floodwater storage and by depositing silt and nutrients before the water can enter the lake.

A hide on Dubwath Water Meadows The curved route meanders through the beautiful wetland, providing easy walking and the opportunity to spot numerous birds, insects and rare flowers that are attracted to this wildlife haven.

At various locations around the site, wildlife hides have been constructed where you can observe the inhabitants of this fascinating nature reserve.