Moorside Farm is a sheep and beef farm covering over 60 Ha in Corney, where the landowners also run a successful glamping site alongside the farm business. Most of the land is productive grazing land but at the western edge of the farm there is a steep bank dominated by bracken. In recent years the number of ticks in this area has increased and grazing cattle are at risk of tick-borne diseases. The landowner decided to take this 1.5 Ha area out of grazing and plant a native woodland through the England Woodland Creation Offer with support from West Cumbria Rivers Trust.
Planted in early 2022, as it establishes the woodland will provide multiple environmental benefits such as increased habitat quality and availability, connectivity between existing woodlands, reduced runoff to the stream below contributing to both improved water quality and reduced flood risk downstream, and carbon sequestration. As the woodland develops it will also provide a lovely area for visitors to the glamping pods to explore. The grant and ongoing woodland maintenance payments the landowner receives from the Forestry Commission, provide a further additional income, helping to contributing to the viability and resilience of the farm business.
Farming, forestry, nature and climate
The Lake District National Park Partnership is working in collaboration with farmers and land managers across the National Park to deliver nature recovery and climate resilience projects while supporting the continuation of farming and forestry and conservation of cultural heritage.
