***CLOSING DATE FOR OFFERS, WEDNESDAY 23RD NOVEMBER 2022 12PM***

Skiddaw Forest This large expanse of moorland totalling approx. 3000 acres (1214 ha) offers an exciting opportunity to purchase a SSSI Upland Heath in the Lake District National Park and is including the summits of Skiddaw, Great Calva and Little Calva.

It may provide an investment opportunity in environmental and habitat protection and the associated developing market of carbon sequestration and nutrient neutrality.

The expanse of land currently enjoys substantial payments from two separate Higher Level Stewardship schemes which end in 2024, with a possible option for an agreement extension going into 2025. Both schemes seek to restore upland bird and dwarf heathland habitats as well as the peatland bogs which are scattered across the land.

It is anticipated that this block will be invited into DEFRA’s forthcoming Environmental Land Management Scheme with opportunities to enter either the Sustainable Farming Incentive, Local Nature Recovery and Local landscape recovery Tiers.

The land has been designated under two separate SSSI units and have been allocated a condition assessment based upon surveys first carried out in 1997.

Skiddaw Forrest West (unit  30), this Upland dwarf heath habitat has now been assessed as  unfavourable/recovering. It is designated for the breeding bird/invertebrates communities and blanket peat bog and sphagnum habitats. They are all in need of restoration and so may provide an opportunity to generate a significant revenue through the evolving carbon and nutrient offsetting markets.

Skiddaw Forrest East (unit 31) again Upland dwarf heath, with blanket peat bog and heathland habitats which are meeting SSSI habitat objectives and so has been assessed as favourable. Environmental management payments should still be on offer where future management satisfies the need to provide benefit to public goods.

Shooting and Sporting Rights the shooting rights are included in the sale, there has historically been a very successful grouse shoot across the land with the sport continuing to the present day. There is still evidence of the Grouse Butts on the moor.

Skiddaw House is a 19th Century shooting lodge used over the years as a gamekeeper’s lodge, shooting cabin, shepherds dwelling, schools field centre, ramblers bothy and currently a youth hostel.

An exciting and unique opportunity to purchase the most remote house in England along with approx. 3000 acres of Skiddaw Forest.

The property was built in 1829 by the Earl of Egremont of Cockermouth Castle, built in the middle of Skiddaw Forest in the lonely lands back o’Skidda.

Situated in 3.45 acres 1,500 feet above sea level and only accessible by foot or 4x4 vehicle. The 4x4 accessible route is from Bassenthwaite Village in the North past Whitewater Dash (waterfall) and on foot from Mosedale in the East and Threlkeld in the South along the Cumbrian way, which is a 73 mile walk through some of the most beautiful and contrasting landscapes Cumbria has to offer, which starts in Ulverston near Morecombe Bay and ends in the Border City of Carlisle in the North.

Skiddaw House, Bassenthwaite, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 4QX

Cockermouth 14 miles | Keswick 11 miles | Penrith 28 miles | Carlisle 24 miles