Low Gillerthwaite Field Centre
 
 
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Activities at and around LGFC

Low Gillerthwaite Field Centre was established with an aim of encouraging a love and respect for wildlife and wild places. A wealth of activities can be pursued from the Centre: Fell Walking, Navigation, Running and Jogging, Climbing, Night Walks, Scrambling, Bivouacking, Birdwatching, Orienteering, Camp Craft, Canoeing, Abseiling, Backpacking, Gorge Walking, Natural History, Mountain Biking, Pond Dipping, Waymarked Forest Paths.

And on a clear night, amateur astronomy and star gazing opportunities are excellent, as we reside under possibly one of the darkest skies in the country.

Whilst swimming is not permitted in the lake, there are pools in the river nearby. Pony Trekking can be catered for at a choice of local venues. The Warden can advise further on these activities and on canoeing. Younger visitors will enjoy making a home in our very own 'wigloo' (made of living willow twigs). Our own two acre field is ideally situated for outdoor games, and with 3000 acres of forest, there is ample scope for more adventurous games. An adjoining barn is available for under cover games.

Part of the Gillerthwaite experience is the communal endeavour of preparing meals, sawing logs and sharing a tale or song by the fireside in this historic setting. Isolated as we are, visiting lecturers can be brought in to add local interest to your stay.

We (or you) can also arrange for qualified leaders to provide activities for your group, and the following are willing to provide leadership and/or instruction during your stay at LGFC :

  • Dan Robinson of Real Adventure
    Summer, winter, overground, underground, biking, and might even offer to do some catering!

  • John and Sarah Platt of PLATTY+
    Canoeing, kayaking, sailing, dragon boating and improvised raft building.

  • David Oglethorpe of Glaramara Outdoor Centre
    Climbing, abseiling, biking, canoeing, kayaking, orienteering, ghyll scrambling.

  • (... note that LGFC has no control over the content of any external website ...)

    A selection of nearby places of interest include:

    Muncaster Castle and Owl Centre

    Egremont Castle

    Cockermouth Castle

    Hard Knott Roman Fort

    The Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway. 'The Ratty' - described as the most beautiful train journey in England. 15" Narrow Gauge Railway carries passengers by either steam or diesel engine from the old Roman Port of Ravenglass seven miles along the Eskdale Valley to Dalegarth. Well worth a trip.

    Florence Haematite Mine Visit the last working deep iron mine in Europe - famous for the 'Red Men' - you'll find out why when you visit (Protective clothing is provided, but you may wish to wear old clothes in any event). Florence Mine Heritage Centre, Egremont, Cumbria CA22 2NR Telephone +44 (0)1946 820683

    Wordsworth House, Cockermouth

    Sellafield Visitors Centre

    Cumberland Pencil Museum

    Whitehaven Urban Trail and Museum

    St. Bees Head and R.S.P.B. Reserve

    Ravenglass and Eskmeals Dunes Nature Reserve

    Horse riding

    Nature reserves

    Leisure centres

    There are Swimming Pools at Whitehaven and Workington with adjacent Sports Centres. Good swimming pools also exist at Egremont and Cockermouth.

    O.S. Maps Tourist Edition (Stops between Ennerdale Water and Ennerdale Bridge).
    1:50000 West Cumbria Sheet 89.
    1:25000 The English Lakes, North West Sheet

    Click on an image to enlarge it.

    2 pictures of our wigloo