Wildlife Watching in the Lake District & Eden

The Lake District and Eden Valley are home to some of England’s most exciting wildlife. Red squirrels, ospreys, red deer, peregrine falcons, and a wealth of other species thrive in the fells, forests, and river valleys around Penrith. Whether you’re a dedicated naturalist or simply enjoy spotting something unexpected on a walk, a stay at our holiday cottages near the Lake District puts you in prime wildlife-watching territory.

Red Squirrels

The Lake District and surrounding Cumbrian forests are one of the last strongholds of the native red squirrel in England. While the grey squirrel has displaced reds across most of the country, the Cumbrian woods — particularly conifer plantations — still support healthy populations.

Where to See Them

• Whinlatter Forest: The best place in the area for a near-guaranteed sighting. There are red squirrel viewing hides with feeders, and the forest visitor centre has a live camera feed. About 40 minutes from Penrith.
• Lowther Castle grounds: Red squirrels are regularly seen in the woods around Lowther, just 5 miles from our cottages.
• Aira Force: The woodland around this famous waterfall near Ullswater often has reds. Keep your eyes on the treetops.
• Around our cottages: Red squirrels are occasionally seen in the gardens and hedgerows around Great Strickland and Eamont Bridge. Keep a bag of hazelnuts handy.

Ospreys at Bassenthwaite

Since 2001, ospreys have been nesting at Bassenthwaite Lake — the first to breed in the Lake District for over 150 years. The Lake District Osprey Project runs a public viewpoint at Dodd Wood, near Keswick, where you can watch these magnificent fish-eating birds of prey through telescopes. The ospreys are typically present from April to August, with chicks usually hatching in June.

Getting there: Dodd Wood is about 35 minutes from Penrith via the A66. The viewing area is free, and there are friendly volunteers with telescopes and binoculars on hand.

Red Deer

The Lake District fells are home to England’s only wild herd of red deer. These magnificent animals — the largest native land mammal in Britain — roam the high fells around Martindale, above the eastern shore of Ullswater. The best time to see them is during the autumn rut (October), when the stags roar and clash antlers in a spectacular display.

Where to Look

Drive or walk to Martindale, above Howtown on Ullswater. The narrow road from Howtown climbs steeply over Hallin Fell and drops into the remote valley beyond. The deer can often be seen on the open fellside, particularly early morning and late afternoon. Bring binoculars — they can be distant, but in October the sound of a stag bellowing across the valley is unforgettable.

Birds of Prey

Beyond ospreys, the fells and valleys around Penrith are excellent for raptors:

• Peregrine falcons: Nest on several Lake District crags. The RSPB sometimes sets up public viewpoints during the breeding season.
• Buzzards: Extremely common. You’ll hear their mewing call on almost every walk, and they’re frequently seen circling above the Eden Valley.
• Red kites: Increasingly seen in the Eden Valley, having spread from reintroduction sites in Yorkshire and the south of Scotland.
• Hen harriers: Rare but present on the higher Pennine moors east of the Eden Valley. A sighting is something special.
• Barn owls: The quiet lanes around Great Strickland and the Eden Valley are good barn owl country. Watch for them quartering the fields at dusk.

River Wildlife

The River Eden and its tributaries are home to some wonderful aquatic wildlife:

• Otters: The Eden has a thriving otter population, though they’re shy and mainly nocturnal. Dawn and dusk on quiet stretches give the best chance of a sighting. The River Eamont near Rittson Cottage is known otter territory.
• Salmon leaping: In autumn, Atlantic salmon leap the weirs on the Eden and Eamont on their way upstream to spawn. It’s a thrilling sight.
• Dippers and kingfishers: Both are present on the local rivers. Dippers are regularly seen bobbing on rocks in the Eamont, and kingfishers flash blue along the quieter stretches.

Wildflowers and Woodland

The Eden Valley is particularly good for wildflowers. Spring brings carpets of bluebells in the local woodlands, and the traditional hay meadows around Great Strickland are full of wildflowers in June and July. The limestone pavements and grasslands of the area support orchids, mountain pansies, and bird’s-eye primrose.

Acorn Bank (National Trust), near Temple Sowerby, has a wonderful garden with wild and cultivated plants, and the orchards and meadows are alive with butterflies in summer.

Seasonal Wildlife Calendar

• Spring (Mar–May): Bluebells, nesting birds, lambing season, osprey arrival
• Summer (Jun–Aug): Wildflower meadows, butterflies, osprey chicks, dragonflies
• Autumn (Sep–Nov): Red deer rut, salmon leaping, migrating birds, fungi
• Winter (Dec–Feb): Red squirrels (easier to spot without leaves), visiting winter birds, starling murmurations

Your Wildlife Watching Base

All three of our cottages sit in the quiet countryside between Penrith and the Lake District — exactly where the wildlife is. Fern Cottage and Maple Cottage in Great Strickland back onto farmland and hedgerows, while Rittson Cottage sits beside the River Eamont with its otters and kingfishers. Pack your binoculars and keep your eyes open — you never quite know what you’ll see.