Lucy’s Wood
22 Acres of Private Woodland in Matterdale
Enjoy the privacy of 22 acres of Lucy’s Wood in Matterdale. Walking quietly through Lucy’s Wood might reward you with glimpses of the roe deer and red squirrels. Listen to the sounds of bird life and if you find yourself in the woods at dusk, you might catch the bats dancing across the ponds or a barn owl on its nightly hunt. The wood stretches up the hill to a barn overlooking some beautiful wetlands and melancholy thistles. Relax by the barn or light the wood fire BBQ. Stroll along the many paths through the woods, exploring the trees and lichen, or pause at the benches to contemplate the spectacular views of the valley and over High Street. Take a wild swim in the deep pool in the Aira Beck or spend an evening stargazing beside the chiminea.
You will find Lucy’s Wood on the 1:25,000 Ordnance Survey at grid reference NY 3832 2180. It’s easy to find. Go through the gate into the field at the end of the lane and turn left. Follow the footpath across the field to the next gate and you will find yourself in the woods.
History of Lucy’s Wood
Lucy’s wood was planted back in 1996 by the previous owners, Richard and Gina Farncombe, in memory of their daughter. When Lucy Farncombe died at the age of 17, she asked her parents to plant a woodland in her memory. All these years later, visitors can explore a maze of paths through maturing deciduous trees and enjoy the all-pervasive chuckle of water, catching glimpses of wildlife and being enchanted by birdsong. It is a place to treasure, not just because of its association with Lucy, but because of the value it has added to the landscape. Otters and roe deer pass through the plant-rich habitat. Snipe, woodcock, great crested newts, toads and dragonflies have all found their niche here.
The gift of Lucy’s Wood
Although Lucy’s Wood will always be associated with the death of Richard & Gina’s daughter, it is not a melancholy place. The converse is true. This is a place of change and hope. From the wet fellside on which the wood was planted, Lucy’s Wood has taken on a momentum and life of its own. The woodland is a jewel set in history. Lucy’s Wood lies within a cultural landscape. It is overlooked by terraces high on the nearby Matterdale fellside where potatoes were grown during the last war. It has an intimate history of its own. Different successions of plants and animals have moved in over time.
