Land we look after
Dam Mire Wood
Come and visit this tranquil haven for nature and people that sits beneath magnificent Blencathra.
About Dam Mire Wood
Dam Mire Wood is a 3.4-hectare piece of land in the village of Threlkeld. It’s a tranquil haven for nature and people that sits beneath magnificent Blencathra. Part of the land was gifted to Friends of the Lake District by member and local resident Prof Mike Hambrey in 2021, and in 2025 we extended the site into a neighbouring field.
Like all our land, the valley is Open Access, so you are free wander around this amazing site.
Our work here
In the short time we’ve owned it, the land has been transformed into a welcoming place for people and nature. Working with West Cumbria Rivers Trust, we’ve planted trees, installed dams to slow the flow of water. We have installed two new bridges and access to the site and created an informal circular path around the site. We have planted wetland plug plants, put up new bird boxes, including an owl box, and planted a willow den with the help of local school children, who use the site regularly to experience adventure and wildlife in their forest school sessions.
On top of all that, we have put in some new seats so you can enjoy the views and installed a chalk board for people to record their wildlife sightings. But we have plans for more, with some more planting and creation of new ponds and scrapes for wildlife and to help slow the flow of water to reduce downstream flooding.
Dam Mire Wood in numbers
60m
The length of new hedgerow we’ve planted here.
1,000
The number of trees we’ve planted here so far.
300
The number of wetland plants we’ve planted to help habitat diversity.
6
The number of nesting boxes and bee houses we’ve installed.
Visiting Dam Mire Wood
Dam Mire Wood is just off Blease Road in Threlkeld village. There are now two entrances to the site and both can be access from the small carpark found at what3words.com/shuttled.chicken.recorders.
You can reach Threlkeld village by bus which stops at Threlkeld Village Hall or the Horse & Farrier Pub. For timetables and route maps visit: X5 Bus Route & Timetable: Penrith – Keswick | Stagecoach (stagecoachbus.com)
Dam Mire Wood gallery
Woodland at Dam Mire
With a mix of veteran trees and newly planted ones, Dam Mire is becoming a haven for nature.
Kilnhow Beck
Kilnhow Beck flows along one side of the Dam Mire Wood.
Willow Den
Made by local school children, the willow den is great place to hide out.
Related news & stories
Blogs, features and and news stories about our land.
