A group of children and a woman laughing and raising their hands outdoors at Walkmill Community Woodland in West Cumbria

A Wilder Walkmill

Restoring nature – connecting people

In September 2023 West Cumbria Rivers Trust were awarded a £2.3 million National Heritage Lottery Fund grant to help transform Walkmill Community Woodland in partnership with Moresby Parish Council. Over four years, A Wilder Walkmill will bring the site to life as a thriving space for wildlife and people alike – not just by restoring nature, but by uncovering and sharing its rich past, from mining heritage to hidden stories of the landscape.

Line drawing of a butterfly with flower in pink outline on black background.

What’s it all about?

Walkmill is becoming a haven for biodiversity, a place for wellbeing, and a hub for community connection. The project focuses on:

  • Restoring rivers and creating wetlands

  • Woodland and scrub management

  • Improving access for all

  • Creating habitats and planting native species

  • Capturing and celebrating local stories from the past

  • Bringing the site’s rich history to life through information boards and memorials

  • Providing skills, training and volunteer opportunities

    Download the conservation management plan (pdf)

A stylized line drawing of a flower with a yellow bloom, white smaller flower, and green leafy vine, all on a black background.
Illustration of rolling hills in beige and green colors.

What we’ve achieved so far

River and habitat restoration

  • 8 new ponds created

  • 280m of concrete removed and replaced with natural river features like meanders, pools and riffles

  • Habitat creation and invasive species management

Access improvements

  • 1.7km of paths improved or resurfaced

  • 3 new bridges installed

Woodland management

  • Ongoing thinning to improve woodland health and biodiversity

Community involvement

  • Over 1,700 volunteer hours contributed through regular volunteering events, Green Gyms™ and corporate groups

  • Fun and learning through guided walks, wellness sessions, family days and seasonal crafts

Coming soon!

  • Play areas, pond dipping platform and wildlife hide

  • New interpretation boards sharing history and nature information

  • A second group of Countryside Worker apprentices

  • Ongoing opportunities to volunteer, learn and connect

Abstract landscape with green and dark gray wavy lines.
A side-by-side comparison of a landscape before and after conservation work. The 'Before' image shows a lush, overgrown grassy field with a large tree in the background. The 'After' image shows a cleared area with a pond, some shrubs, and a few trees
Comparison of a forest trail before and after cleanup. The left side shows a decayed, moss-covered wooden boardwalk in a forest, labeled 'Before.' The right side shows a clean, gravel forest path with green foliage, labeled 'After.'
Comparison of a muddy, uneven forest trail labeled 'Before' on the left and a smooth, gravel forest trail labeled 'After' on the right, showing the improvement after trail maintenance.
Comparison of a muddy, overgrown backyard with a small water drainage system on the left labeled 'Before' and a clean, landscaped yard with a small pond and trees on the right labeled 'After'.
A black and white abstract wave design with curved lines and shapes.

Growing skills for the future  

Eight apprentices will earn their Level 2 Countryside Worker qualification through hands-on experience at Walkmill. 

The first group has already qualified with flying colours, gaining practical skills in conservation, woodland management, tool use, survey work, and much more.  

Celebrating our apprentices

Four Apprentices earning their Level 2 Countryside Worker qualification, dressed in waders and waterproof gear, standing outdoors on a riverbank at Walkmill Community Woodland.

Meet the team

Meet the West Cumbria Rivers Trust team behind A Wilder Walkmill – combining local knowledge, community spirit and a passion for nature to help this special woodland thrive.

Walkmill team member, Jenny Garbe

Jenny

Project Manager

Walkmill team member, Laura Whittaker

Laura

Learning & Engagement Officer

Walkmill team member, Sarah Clarke

Sarah

Volunteer Coordinator

Bradley, the Apprentice Coordinator at Walkmill Community Woodland. A man with curly hair and a beard standing outdoors near a lake, with mountains and overcast sky in the background, wearing a navy blue jacket with "West Cumbria Rivers Trust" logo.

Bradley

Apprentice Coordinator

Five Friends of Walkmill Community Woodland volunteers in outdoor gardening attire smiling at the camera, some sitting and some standing, in a garden or farm setting with houses in the background under cloudy skies.

Looking ahead: 2027 and beyond  

As our woodland project moves towards completion in 2027, we want to make sure the amazing work lasts for years to come. That’s why we’re setting up the Friends of Walkmill – a friendly volunteer group who help look after the site on behalf of Moresby Parish Council.

There’s no legal responsibility, just a chance to get involved with things like maintaining paths and signs, keeping the site safe, and organising fun events or volunteer days. You can also learn new skills, from funding applications to site management.

Friends of Walkmill 

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