News

Our rush pasture has taken its first big step towards becoming a richer wetland, with two brand-new scrapes created on the reserve. These shallow pools, with their soft muddy edges, are perfect for holding water and are absolute magnets for wildlife. Scrapes are brilliant breeding grounds for insects and provide vital feeding areas for birds, …

We’re in the process of creating our 2027 Calendar and on the hunt for some gorgeous nature photography to make it extra special. If you have any standout images that capture the natural landscape across the four seasons, please send them our way. Proceeds from the sale of the calendar go to support the ongoing …

Watchtree Nature Reserve marked the launch of its 2026 Watchtree Wildlife Calendar with a special celebration evening at the Visitors Centre, honouring the talented photographers whose images feature in next year’s calendar. The event brought together contributors, volunteers, and supporters to celebrate the creativity and community spirit behind the project. Guests enjoyed refreshments, viewed the printed …

 Watchtree Nature Reserve, nr Wiggonby, Carlisle manages a robust habitat and wildlife programme, delivers a successful education and events programme, provides cycle hire, co-ordinates a range of running activities and operates a café as a welcoming meeting point for many groups and individuals.  Volunteers, Morag and Dave Thompson, have been the heart and soul of …

On Friday, 8th August 2025, Watchtree Nature Reserve proudly welcomed volunteers from Balfour Beatty and partner organisations for the fourth annual Balfour Beatty Volunteer Day, held in memory of Grant Taylor, a much-loved colleague who tragically passed away in 2022 at the age of 22. Grant was instrumental in developing plans for Balfour Beatty’s charitable …

Watchtree Nature Reserve is now home to six brand-new, beautifully crafted wood sculptures, created by talented local wood carver Thomas Smith of Greensmith Carving. The carvings celebrate the much-loved characters from Watchtree’s interactive walking trail, The Adventures of Flash and Iris, written by Anja Phoenix of Tale Trails. Visitors can now meet: Each sculpture has been carved from a windblown …

In the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, when the world slowed down and families sought fresh air and freedom,  Laura  mum-of-four stepped forward with a simple, powerful idea: make the outdoors easier to enjoy. That woman was Laura Earl, founder of The Hiking Household – a walking website and charity that’s helped thousands of families rediscover the …

Watchtree Nature Reserve is absolutely delighted to announce the refurbishment of our indoor education space – now newly renamed The Howdens Hut! Thanks to the generous support of Howdens Kitchens, Wigton, we’ve received a donation of high-quality kitchen units and work surfaces that have transformed the interior of the Hut. This upgrade provides much-needed storage …