Orrest Head and Elleray Wood formed part of the Elleray Estate which was formerly owned by Arthur Henry Heywood. In 1902 his widow and daughter gave Orrest Head in trust to Windermere Council to be held "for public walks or pleasure grounds".
In 1943 most of Elleray Wood was given to the Council under similar terms by other members of the family. A small part at the northern end is owned by South Lakeland District Council but leased to the Town Council and managed as part of the Community Woodland. In more recent years another section of woodland was gifted to the Town Council by the owners of Elleray Bank. It had been closed off for many years and was in need of work to make it safe and encourage biodiversity.
In 2012 the Town Steward Gary Hancox suggested putting a track through the woodland to enable people to visit it safely while still keeping the majority of the land for the wildlife. With the support of the Town Council, Gary has worked tirelessly for many years facing major challenges such as storm Arwen along the way. As the trail took shape Cllr Lisa Greasley, Lead of the Orrest Head and Elleray Woods Advisory Group (OH&EWAG) got the idea of installing chainsaw sculptures of native creatures along the trail. Talented sculptor Sorin Iosipescu took on the challenge and has produced ten beautiful sculptures to look out for along the trail. In addition there are bird and bat boxes made for us by pupils of the Lakes and Windermere Schools and three little mice. Two new benches have been donated by the Wilson and Place families.
The sun shone beautifully for the grand opening helping the Town Steward forget his many months of working in the woods in the pouring rain this year. The ribbon was cut by the former Clerk to the Town Council Julie Wright and former Lead of the OH&EWAG Dr Helen Jones. The attendees, who included Town Councillors, Town Council staff and local residents, enjoyed having the first look at the new trail.
While there is a fully accessible route to the summit of Orrest Head, the new track involves some steps and steep and uneven ground so is not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers. The Town Council would like to remind visitors to keep to the track both for safety reasons and to keep the wider habitat undisturbed. The site is host to a wide range of wildlife including deer, bats, owls and maybe even a red squirrel. It definitely pays to sit quietly and see what creatures come along. The Town Council hopes that this trail will help locals and visitors alike, particularly children, learn to appreciate the range and beauty of the creatures that make our woods and mountain tops their homes.
In 1943 most of Elleray Wood was given to the Council under similar terms by other members of the family. A small part at the northern end is owned by South Lakeland District Council but leased to the Town Council and managed as part of the Community Woodland. In more recent years another section of woodland was gifted to the Town Council by the owners of Elleray Bank. It had been closed off for many years and was in need of work to make it safe and encourage biodiversity.
In 2012 the Town Steward Gary Hancox suggested putting a track through the woodland to enable people to visit it safely while still keeping the majority of the land for the wildlife. With the support of the Town Council, Gary has worked tirelessly for many years facing major challenges such as storm Arwen along the way. As the trail took shape Cllr Lisa Greasley, Lead of the Orrest Head and Elleray Woods Advisory Group (OH&EWAG) got the idea of installing chainsaw sculptures of native creatures along the trail. Talented sculptor Sorin Iosipescu took on the challenge and has produced ten beautiful sculptures to look out for along the trail. In addition there are bird and bat boxes made for us by pupils of the Lakes and Windermere Schools and three little mice. Two new benches have been donated by the Wilson and Place families.
The sun shone beautifully for the grand opening helping the Town Steward forget his many months of working in the woods in the pouring rain this year. The ribbon was cut by the former Clerk to the Town Council Julie Wright and former Lead of the OH&EWAG Dr Helen Jones. The attendees, who included Town Councillors, Town Council staff and local residents, enjoyed having the first look at the new trail.
While there is a fully accessible route to the summit of Orrest Head, the new track involves some steps and steep and uneven ground so is not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers. The Town Council would like to remind visitors to keep to the track both for safety reasons and to keep the wider habitat undisturbed. The site is host to a wide range of wildlife including deer, bats, owls and maybe even a red squirrel. It definitely pays to sit quietly and see what creatures come along. The Town Council hopes that this trail will help locals and visitors alike, particularly children, learn to appreciate the range and beauty of the creatures that make our woods and mountain tops their homes.
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