The Coldwell Project...
...Our Coldwell Reserves
Since our purchase of two new meadows at Coldwell, Fore Bank and Top Bank, our focus has been on developing the new acquisition and integrating the two meadows and our adjacent reserves, Coldwell Parrock and Coldwell Meadow, into single new reserve, which we have named The Coldwell Horseshoe.
A new permissive path has been created through Coldwell Meadow as part of the new tramper route, developed in partnership with Natural England and RSPB. Our section of the route provides a link between the National Nature Reserve of Gait Barrows, to the south, and RSPB Back Woods (part of the Challan Hall Allotment area of RSPB Leighton Moss) and features horse-rider and tramper friendly gates at each end. The tramper route provides a complete circular trail between the RSPB visitor centre at Leighton Moss and Back Woods, via the Trowbarrow, Gait Barrows and Coldwell Reserves. Trampers are available for hire from RSPB Leighton Moss.
What's special about Coldwell?
You may be wondering what made us feel that the land at Coldwell was so special that we simply had to buy it when that opportunity arose. Here are just a few of its special features that made it such an essential acquisition for the Trust. Just click on the title of any of these articles to read them.
Location!
Location!
Location!
As this article explains, the new land occupies a crucial location in relation to our own and neighbouring reserves.
![Sketch showing how our new reserve fits into the mosaic [Artwork: Janet Brady]](https://landscapetrust.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/keystonev1.jpg)
Strategic value!
Read this article to learn more about the strategic value of the new land in enabling us to do more joining up for nature.
Quality!
This article tells of the exceptional quality that the new land already has and its potential for further improvement.
What are our plans for it?
Our precise plans for the new land are still very much in development but we have some definite ideas about what we would like to do. And what we’ll need to spend money on to put these ideas into action.
New paths
Our plans for new permissive bridleways and paths will involve way-marking, ground preparation and the purchase and installation of at least six new rider-friendly gates. Your donations will be crucial for funding this work.
Improvement
The meadow quality of our new land is already exceptional. With careful management we can improve them even more. This need not be expensive but it will be time consuming as well as hard work for our reserve volunteers.
New planting
We shall need to buy trees for hedging as well as to soften our boundary lines and provide screening in some sections of the meadows. In addition, we shall, in due course, need to pay for professional hedge-laying, as well as new stock fences and so on. Individual trees may be inexpensive, but even small expenditures quickly mount up.
Learn more about it
A collection of news items from the Coldwell Horseshoe reserves.
Tree planting at Coldwell Bank
Successful Spring Open Days at Coldwell
Brown Hairstreak in the Arnside and Silverdale AONB
On-going tree work at Coldwell Parrock
Coldwell – half a century of landscape conservation
Tithe and Inclosure Maps
Brown Hairstreak Butterflies - why are we so excited about having them at Coldwell?
Early Ordnance Survey maps of Coldwell
Ice Age Drumlins
Four outstanding limestone landscapes linked by one Geotrail
A key addition to the mosaic: our "Golden Horseshoe"
