The Helm, Oxenholme, nr Kendal

Purchased: 2007
Size: 33.6 ha (82.97 acres)
Landscape: Prominent hill, with pasture land and some woodland

Reason for purchase: To improve public access and improve the landscape and nature conservation interest.

Download The Helm Walks leaflet here

Latest news at The Helm:

Download the Helm Update 09

Download the Helm Update 08

In 2007, Friends of the Lake District bought part of the eastern side of the Helm, above Oxenholme. An important local landmark and place of local recreation, our land at the Helm consists of two fields – the main one is open pasture with a small tarn. The field next to this has more trees in it and is steeper with a small crag.

The main pasture is the only part of the Helm not included as Open Access land under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. Our main reason for buying this land was to be able to secure public access and to ensure this in the long term.

In character, our land is quite different to the common on the western side, which is what most people enjoyed. One of the best places to get a view of the main pasture is near the Iron Age Hillfort, which occupies the highest ground on the ridge. From there if you look north, you can see right down across the eastern side, which runs down to a narrow lane, in a series of slopes. Gorse covers the lower slopes, providing a great splash of colour, as well as creating habitat for birds and also many rabbits!