A corner of Cumbria that has been out of bounds to the public for decades has been declared open for visitors, thanks to a joint effort by its owner and the Forestry Commission.
Dalton Crags, a stretch of 119 hectares (294 acres) of land east of Burton-in-Kendal, is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) with limestone pavements and native woodland that is leased to the Forestry Commission. However, the terms of the lease had prevented the Commission from allowing the public to enter the land.
Now, however, visitors can explore and enjoy it.
The agreement to dedicate the area as public access land is the result of negotiations between the Commission and the landowner, Dalton Hall Estate, and it means the land will be free to roam on for at least the next 800 years.
Martin Colledge, the Commission’s forester for the area, welcomed the agreement, saying,
“It’s a wonderful woodland and a place dear to my heart, and we’re delighted that the public now have an opportunity to enjoy it too.”
Dalton Hall Estate director Francis Mason-Hornby is also pleased that people will now be able to appreciate the beauty of Dalton Crags.
“We’ve long been keen to grant access to the public, but we just had to untangle the terms of the lease. It’s been a joint effort between the Forestry Commission and us to make that happen, and we’re very happy with the agreement.”
Mr Mason-Hornby wants to ensure the area is protected so that future generations can continue to enjoy the woodland.
“It’s a very special area,” he said. “The paths that are there have been created by people walking through, or by the deer that live there. It’s unspoilt, and that’s what makes it such a wonderful place to explore, especially for children. There is good parking available for visitors, but once over the stile it remains as nature intended, and that’s how I hope it will stay.”
NOTES TO EDITOR:
- The Forestry Commission is the largest provider of countryside recreation in Britain, with responsibility for more than one million hectares (2.4 million acres) of forest, woodland and open countryside. All forests in the Commission’s care are open to the public, except where this is prevented by the terms of leases or for safety reasons in areas where forestry operations are taking place.
- The Commission’s North-West England Forest District manages public forests in the Lake District in Cumbria, the Forest of Bowland in Lancashire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Cheshire. The forests are managed for conservation, wildlife, landscape and recreation as well as providing a valuable source of timber.
Media enquiries to Graeme Prest, Forestry Commission Manager, North West England Forest District, on 07747 762916 or 01229 860373; or Martin Colledge on 07774 293920.