A Speckled Wood butterfly - often seen in the Ashmeadow woodland

The Barnes Charitable Trust was set up in early 1991 to ensure that Ashmeadow House and woodlands were maintained for the benefit of residents of, and visitors to Arnside. In 2003 Ashmeadow House and the surrounding area of grounds were sold to the Abbeyfield (now Crossfield) Society to be renovated and developed into flats for the elderly. This left an area of about five acres (two hectares) of woodland to be maintained by the Charitable Trust.

The site is conveniently located in Arnside village and can be accessed through the pedestrian gate at the end of Arnside promenade. The site is the location of one of the earliest properties built in Arnside and has an historic background. There are now several woodland paths open for people to enjoy. Some paths have quite steep slopes and may have natural hazards associated with natural woodland habitat.

The Trust welcome respectful and responsible public access to these woodland grounds, traditional orchards and walled garden, where it is hoped that people can walk and sit and enjoy the peaceful freshair, woodland bird-song and fine views to the lakeland hills. In the autumn, the local community are welcomed to fill a basket of the orchard harvest.

The walled garden would have originally provided produce for the House and later, the Earnseat School. In recent years, this area has been managed for wildlife, as a wildflower meadow, where orchids and other wildflowers can be seen in the summer. In 2010, one end of the walled garden has been turned over to private allotments for local residents, partially returning the garden to its former purpose.

The site management is overseen by the Trustees and is maintained with a local part-time contractor and occasional assistance from the AONB volunteers guided by the AONB Countryside Officer, Tony Riden.

Click here to visit the website www.ashmeadow-woodlands.org