Hill Top stands in some nine acres of private grounds, including over seven and a half acres of beautiful woodland immediately to the south of the house. Known as Backhouse Brow, it represents a wonderfully archetypal Lakeland landscape, rising over 200ft.
It is classified as Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland, meaning that its existence has been recorded since at least 1600 and is composed of native tree species that have not obviously been planted. Such woodlands are considered the most precious of habitats, and in Cumbria they are what remain of the original woodland that colonised the area after the last ice age some ten thousand years ago.
With its many badger setts, precipitous rock outcrops, stone remnants of charcoal burners’ activities - not to mention vast carpets of bluebells in the spring - guests are welcome to wander through this truly exceptional woodland, and a guided trail is marked for easy access.
