Dodd Wood

Dodd Wood, a Forestry Commission managed land, lies below Long Side and Carl Side with Skiddaw looming in the close distance. To the west are Bassenthwaite Lake and the River Derwent. The woods are part of the Mirehouse estate and were created in 1790 by Thomas Mirehouse.

There are waymarked trails that begin in the car park and lead through the woods. One goes to Dodd summit and provides a far ranging view over Derwent Water, Bassenthwaite Water, 40 Lake District peaks, and on past the Solway Firth to Scotland's Galloway mountains.

Another trail leads to Ullock Pike at 2230 feet high and onward to the summit of Skiddaw at 3054 feet. Information leaflets on the paths are available at the Old Sawmill Tearoom on the Mirehouse estate, Forest Visitor Centres, and TIC's.

Each year from June to August ospreys breed in this area. There are telescopes and binoculars available from 10am until 5pm for visitors at a breeding platform, located along a path from the south end of the car park. Ospreys are birds of prey and their sharp eyesight enables them to hover above Bassenthwaite lake and spot fish below. Their wingspan measures five feet. The osprey project is a joint effort by the Forestry Commission, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the Lake District Lake Park Authority.

On A591, eastern side of Bassenthwaite Lake, northwest of Keswick.
Carpark.
Picnic area

For osprey updates go to www.ospreywatch.co.uk

Photos courtesy of Ann Bowker

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