Dodd Wood
Dodd Wood, which is managed by the Forestry Commission and which is leased from the Mirehouse Estate, is on the east shore of Bassenthwaite Lake. This forest, which was created by Thomas Storey of Mirehouse in 1790, still has some beautiful old trees which can be seen surrounding the car park.
The car park, which is situated on the A591 northwest of Keswick and on the eastern side of Bassenthwaite Lake, is the starting point for many walks through the forest. One path leads to Dodd summit, from which there are spectacular far ranging views over Bassenthwaite Lake, Derwent Water, forty Lake District peaks, past the Solway Firth to Scotland’s Galloway mountains. There is another path which leads to Ullock Pike, with an elevation of 2230 feet, and onwards to the summit of Skiddaw, which has an elevation of 3054 feet. Information leaflets on these paths are available from the Forest Visitor Centre, Tourist Information Centres and at the Old Sawmill Tearoom on the Mirehouse estate.
The Ospreys, which are fish eating birds of prey with a wing span of nearly five feet, breed in this area each year from June to August. A short walk from the south end of the Mirehouse/Dodd Wood car park, which is fairly steep, leads you to the viewing position which is open at all times. However, between 10am to 5pm Project Staff will be present with telescopes available for public use. Alternatively, the Whinlatter Visitor Centre in Whinlatter Forest has live CCTV coverage of the nest, this is also staffed by the Osprey Project Staff.
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