A New Year and New Walks near You
26 January 2010
Natural England urges Northwest residents to keep New Year resolutions and enjoy a walk in the country.
As winter lessens its icy grip in many areas and life in the country begins to return to milder norms, walkers and ramblers throughout the region will be looking forward to getting out amongst the rolling farmland, hills and dales of the Northwest.
But the myriad of paths and bridleways that criss-cross the region are not just for the experienced walker. Many are perfect for all those who resolved to take a little more exercise in 2010, offering fresh air, great views, wildlife and quite often a warming cup of tea and a bun if not something quite substantially more, at your local farm house cafe.
Funded through Natural England’s Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) scheme, farmers and landowners throughout Cheshire, Cumbria and Lancashire have permitted access to many kilometres of pathways crossing working farmland as well as through woodland and along waterways.
Natural England’s HLS funding ensures fences and hedgerows are created and restored, paths maintained and upgraded, gates and stiles installed and kept in good working order whilst the land is managed for the benefit of both people and the environment including reversing the decline of farmland birds, the restoration of historic buildings and improving the resilience of nationally important habitats to climate change.
Ewan Nugent, Delivery Leader for Natural England’s agri-environment programme, said: “We want to increase the uptake of agri-environment schemes and Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) in particular, to deliver significant environmental benefits; with better funding available than ever before we are keen to discuss all of the options available through HLS schemes with interested farmers and landowners.”
Since 2005, permissive access payments through Higher Level Stewardship schemes have enabled the creation of more than 19km of permissive access routes in Cheshire, 55km in Cumbria and over 21km in Lancashire and Merseyside.
Liz Newton, Natural England’s North West Regional Director said: “We are privileged to have a fantastically varied landscape throughout the Northwest. The network of permissive access paths in Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Lancashire and Merseyside go a long way to ensuring we can all enjoy it; indeed we have more and better access to the countryside now than ever before.
“For many communities and especially people with reduced mobility, these paths are a real and significant asset, providing easy access to the countryside, away from busy roads.”
Find a walk near you
More than 100 Conservation walks are available in the Northwest, all of which form part of Natural England’s Environmental Stewardship schemes.
Lancashire
Plantation Farm Near Clitheroe
This permissive footpath links with existing Public Rights of Way to create a circular route around Plantation Farm. The path winds its way through flower rich pastures and woodlands which are being managed for wildlife. An historic limekiln can also be seen where this permissive path meets the public footpath near Hodder Side wood. The path is steep in places so it is essential that suitable footwear be worn.
Plantation Farm country walk summary
Three Brothers Allotment Near Carnforth
Horse riders and walkers can take this attractive route situated on the northern slopes of Warton Crag, passing the Three Brothers Stones. A site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), it consists of a mosaic of species rich grassland, wide open grassy glades edged by hawthorn/blackthorn scrub and bracken, limestone pavement and areas of ancient semi-natural woodland which are being managed for conservation purposes under the Higher Level Stewardship Scheme, favouring populations of nationally scarce pearl-bordered fritillary and high brown fritillary butterflies.
Three Brothers Allotment country walk summary
Cheshire
Rose Farm Near Farndon
The permissive footpaths and bridleway link up with existing rights of way creating circular routes. From these paths you will be able to view the recreated wildflower hay meadows and wet pastures which will attract an array of wading birds.
Rose Farm country walk summary
Cotton Farm Near Chester
The River Gowy is graded as a site of biological importance for its aquatic and bankside fauna and flora. It is hoped that this stretch of the river will be inhabited by Otter in the not too distant future. This circular walk allows a peaceful link to the public rights of way footpath, via Cotton Farm, over the historic medieval sandstone bridges.
Cotton Farm country walk summary
Merseyside
Barrow Farm Near St Helens
On this walk you can choose either a shorter or longer route because it offers two linked circular paths. Each route takes you around arable fields with some prominent tree lines as field boundaries. Adjacent woodlands offer variety within the landscape. Wildlife likely to be seen include both woodland and farmland species such as the grey partridge.
Barrow Farm country walk summary
Marshside Nature Reserve Near Southport
Wildlife can be seen all year round at Marshside. In the spring you can see brown hares ‘boxing’ and in early summer you can see ground nesting birds like avocets and lapwing. Autumn brings large movements of migrating birds; some heading south to a warmer climate, other seeking refuge from the cold Artic. During the winter months Marshside hosts over-wintering waterfowl such as the pink footed geese and wigeons.
Marshside Nature Reserve country walk summary
Cumbria
Whiteholme Near Hethersgill
Low Luckens and Whiteholme Farms are situated next to each other on the River Lyne in North East Cumbria. The farms are run as a single organic unit with traditional breeds of cattle, sheep and pigs. There is an on farm butchery for organic beef, pork and lamb and an organic resource centre which has a large room with information, displays, seating, large table and tea / coffee making facilities. The farm stock can be seen at all times of the year, at all stages of development, with new born lambs and calves in April and new born piglets in July. The holding is open all year round, every day of the week and is suitable for any age group. There are facilities for the disabled, toilets, picnic area, covered area for teaching and a wet weather centre.
Whiteholme country walk summary
Holme Farm Near Middleton
The farm has a beautiful landscape setting. This circular access route follows the river, allowing visitors and campers to enjoy some beautiful scenery, wildlife and birds in particular. Otters have been spotted along the river bank. There is some interesting plant life in and around the river and some good features of interest such as an old Roman road and disused railway line. This is a working farm and you are able to view various farm animals including traditional sheep, goats and cattle. The site also incorporates a bridleway, linking footpaths and a farm/cafe shop.
Holme Farm country walk summary
Greater Manchester
Boundary Farm Near Altringham
This footpath creates an opportunity to enjoy a variety of farmland birds and other wildlife. Linking with the Trans Pennine route, an interesting and varied walk can be undertaken on the Dunham Massey Estate from where the open landscape can be enjoyed.
Boundary Farm country walk summary
Little Heath Farm Near Dunham Massey
This permissive footpath forms links and circular routes with public footpaths including one which crosses Dunham Park, an historic parkland. The walk passes through mainly arable farmland where you may see some bird species that are declining in numbers e.g. grey partridges and lapwings. Walkers are asked to keep their dogs on the lead at all times to avoid disturbing wildlife and damaging crops. A programme of hedge restoration is taking place across the farm, including hedges along the route.
Little Heath Farm country walk summary
-Ends-
Notes to Editors:
Details of all walks that form part of Natural England’s HLS schemes can be found on the Conservation Walks Register.
Access to farms and country estates
Visitors should always check to see whether they have a right to walk or ride on private farmland and country estates. As well as the public rights of way and open access land available for all to enjoy, some landowners may provide permissive access to their land for walking, cycling or horseriding. Permissive access means access is given by permission of the landowner rather than as a public right.
Some permissive access is funded through Environmental Stewardship, which is an agri-environment scheme providing funding to farmers and other land managers in England who deliver effective environmental management on their land.
The Conservation Walks Register gives details of access to land as part of agri-environment schemes.
Environmental Stewardship
Environmental Stewardship (ES) replaced the Countryside Stewardship (CSS) Scheme in 2005. ES is an agri-environment scheme which provides funding to farmers and other land managers in England who deliver effective environmental management on their land.
Environmental Stewardship (ES) is designed to build on the recognised success of the Environmentally Sensitive Areas Scheme and the Countryside Stewardship Scheme. Its primary objectives are to:
Conserve wildlife (biodiversity)
Maintain and enhance landscape quality and character
Protect the historic environment and natural resources
Promote public access and understanding of the countryside
Natural resource protection
Environmental Stewardship has three elements:
Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) provides a straightforward approach to supporting the good stewardship of the countryside through simple and effective land management that goes beyond the Single Payment Scheme requirement to maintain land in good agricultural and environmental condition. It is open to all farmers and landowners.
Organic Entry Level Stewardship (OELS) is the organic strand of ELS. It is geared to organic and organic/conventional mixed farming systems and is open to all farmers not receiving Organic Farming Scheme aid.
Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) concentrates on the more complex types of management where land managers need advice and support and where agreements will be tailored to local circumstances. HLS applications will assessed against specific local targets and agreements will be offered where they meet these targets and represent good value for money.
Higher Level Stewardship
Natural England recently launched a new approach to the targeting of funds through the Higher Level of Environmental Stewardship (ES) schemes. Anyone wishing to register their interest in an HLS scheme should contact their usual land agent or local Natural England office in the first instance.
North West (Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire and Cumbria)
Natural England
PO Box 380
Crewe CW1 6YH
Tel: 0300 060 1113
Fax: 0300 060 1123
Email: iss.crewe@naturalengland.org.uk
For further information contact:
Will Herman North West Regional Communications on 07919 303452 William.herman@naturalengland.org.uk
