farming & habitat

our estate

Wyresdale Park Estate encompasses Nicky Nook Fell, Grizedale Valley and Holmewood, in total stretching to over 800 acres. The land is a mix of woodland, meadows, rough pasture and open access fell land. The estate currently focuses on sheep farming but is entering a period of review & consultation to determine the future strategy for food production and habitat restoration. The programme of rhododendron removal is ongoing, with eradication being completed in Park Wood, The Pheasantry and the northern section of Ghyll Wood. The next phase is to remove the invasive species from Grizedale valley.

This eradication programme is being supplemented with the creation of new woodlands, the estate having been successful with a Woodland Creation Programme, funded by the Forestry Commission. Forty thousand trees have been planted so far on the western slope of Nicky Nook Fell, an extremely challenging undertaking that is now showing success. There are 120’000 more trees to plant to complete the scheme. A ten acre former plantation site has been felled and this has been allowed to naturally regenerate, now showing full recovery as a native birch woodland