Size: 103.81 acres (42 ha)
Near: Lakeside Windermere, Cumbria
The Lake District has one of the highest densities of woodland cover anywhere in northern England, including a high proportion of ancient woodland, our richest natural habitat. In this environment, quality goes hand in hand with quantity as species need space to thrive. This makes the abundant woods in the Lakes precious indeed, as ancient woodland covers just two per cent of the UK as a whole. So thanks to a generous gift in a will left for the Trust to spend on the purchase of ‘a wood in North Lancashire or South Cumbria’ we were able to grasp the opportunity to acquire Great Knott Wood.
Offering sublime views of the surrounding countryside, Great Knott Wood lies on the south west shore of Lake Windermere. But like so many ancient woods, it had been planted with exotic conifers that suffocate the native broadleaves and flora. Now we are breathing life into the precious pockets of ancient woodland that survive, giving ground species such as bluebell, wood sorrel and greater stitchwort the chance to spread. Slowly, the conifers are being thinned, throwing light onto the woodland floor, allowing natives like oak, ash and birch to regenerate. The revived Great Knott Wood will be a living, lasting tribute to the kind supporter who remembered our work in their will.
Visit 'Our Woods' for more information on this wood
