Bretherdale Woodland

Bretherdale Woodlands, Tebay, Cumbria.

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About 52.58 hectares  (129.9 acres)

Offers over £750,000

Bretherdale Woodlands comprise of mainly productive plantations nestled away in the little frequented valley of Bretherdale in the Shap Hills, within the Lake District National Park. The plantations were established in the 1980s and felled and replanted between 2005 and 2015 and now have a range of productive crops which will mature around 2050.

The woodlands cover steep ground but following harvesting works access has been extensively improved and there is now a network of high quality tracks and forest roads which will fully support future timber operations.

The woodland has also supported a significant Pheasant and Partridge shoot and all sporting rights belong to the property,

General Information

General Description

Bretherdale Woodlands comprise of mainly productive plantations in the valley of Bretherdale in the Shap Hills, within the Lake District National Park. The plantations were established in the 1980s and felled and replanted between 2005 and 2015 and now have a range of productive crops which will mature around 2050. Future timber yields are expected to be in the region of 15000 tonnes of timber.

The woodlands composition is summarised below.

Crop Age Area (ha) Notes
Sitka spruce 15 7.00 Yield Class > 16
Sitka spruce 10 21.10 Yield Class > 16
Larch 30 1.80

Open conifers 5 + 2.00

Mature broadleaves 40 + 4.50 Mature ASNW
Planted broadleaves
4.00 Poorly established
Open space
12.18

Total
52.58

The woodlands were felled in three phases and after each felling the areas were mounded and extraction routes upgraded to hard tracks, which now provide high quality access for vehicles and timber operations.

There are several borrow pits in the woodlands with good quality and easily worked stone.

The first two phases were largely replanted with Sitka spruce and some Norway spruce but with Sitka spruce now dominant. Stocking density and growth is generally very good with only small areas with lower stocking density.

The last felling was undertaken in the stands across Corkham hill and these were replanted in the winter of 2014 -2015. The Broadleaved stands and mixed conifers in this area have struggled and there is now scope to enrich these areas with more productive species.

Access to the woodland is via small minor roads and these have  supported successful timber harvesting and haulage operations. The Route from the B6261 near Orton to Bretherdale is formally recorded as a "Consultation Route" on the Agreed Route Map for Timber Transport. This classification typically allows timber transport subject to agreeing timings and limiting the number of lorry movements in any week.

Grant Schemes and Conditions

The woodlands were felled under felling licences and copies are available on request. There are no active grant schemes or current forest plans

Tenure and possession

The property is offered for sale freehold with vacant possession upon completion.

Access for viewing

Access to the wood is via minor roads from Tebay. The lower access (A on the map) should be used to access the woodland . There is combination lock on the entrance and the number will be provided on request.

Viewing is available by appointment from 5th January 2026.

Method of sale

The property is offered for sale by Private Treaty. Offers should be submitted to the vendor's agent, David Atkinson, Edwin Thompson, FIFTEEN Rosehill, Montgomery Way, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA1 2RW. The vendors reserve the right to fix a closing date for offers, change the method or sale or sell the property without notification. Therefore, prospective purchasers are advised to register their interest with the selling agents.

Rights, Easements and Outgoings

None known.

Sporting Rights

Full Sporting rights are included.

A pheasant and partridge shoot has operated in the woodlands with annual licences. The current licence expires in February 2016 and there are no obligations. The cabins, sheds, pens and shoot equipment is the property of current lease holders and there is an expectation that these will be removed prior to any sale being completed. Details of the sporting lease are available from the vendor.

The vendor has exercised his rights to control deer and subject to agreement with the buyer would like to retain 4 days of deer shooting per year.

General Reservations

The right is reserved by the vendors to amend or incorporate fresh provisions as appropriate in respect of all the above matters.