This series of six caches has been set out on our local nature reserve, with kind permission from the Watchtree Nature Reserve. The series can be completed as a circular route, not necessarily in number order. It can be walked or cycled and the route is both wheelchair and buggy accessible. The ground is level and the route is roughly two miles in length. N.B. Only cache#1 is accessible out of opening hours as the gates to the reserve are kept locked between 16.45 and 09.00.
Opening hours - 9am – 4:45 every day. Last entry at 4pm. Car park closes at 5pm. Cafe open from 10am – 4pm every day.
Parking at Watchtree is free from 9am, it is also free to enter but donations are welcomed. Watchtree Nature Reserve is a registered charity and every penny you donate to Watchtree goes back into the reserve. Dogs are welcome, but must be kept on a short lead. Please follow the rules of the reserve.
Watchtree is a 205 acre, fully accessible nature reserve, situated on the Solway plain, 6 miles southwest of Carlisle. The reserve hosts different habitats, teeming with wildlife. A network of accessible trails makes it easy to explore and experience our UK wildlife in their natural habitat. Also available is bike hire from the Watchtree Wheelers fleet. They have over 100 bikes suitable for all abilities. Why not treat yourself during your visit to some tasty homemade food, fresh from the Watchtree café?
History
Watchtree Farm was originally named in memory of a tree from which local people used to maintain a watch for reivers heading towards the area from Scotland. In 1941, much of the land belonging to Robert Timperon of Watchtree Farm was requisitioned “under wartime emergency powers” in order to build the Great Orton Airfield. The airfield was intended as a satellite for Silloth, it was built larger than its parent unit but had fewer facilities. Work began in August 1942 for its layout of three concrete runways - along with a perimeter track, it had four blister hangars, and a control tower as well as various communication, technical and accommodation blocks in the north. An official opening took place in June 1943, but it did not become operational until October. Later, it became an air ammunition park for the storage of various munitions until closure on August 15, 1952. It was not until June 9th, 1964, that the airfield was sold.
Local farmers carried out the work to convert barren scrubland that the airfield had become to put it to productive use. From 1964 until 2001, the site was used primarily as agricultural land with other ancillary activities taking place.
1964-2001 - The site was used occasionally for car rally events.
1989-2001 - Great Orton Flying Club in July 1989 flew microlight aircraft from the old airfield runways until 2001.
1999 - The six turbines comprising the Great Orton wind farm (three of which are located on Watchtree Nature Reserve) replaced ten smaller turbines in 1999.
2001 - The old Airfield was acquired by Defra for the burial of farm livestock killed during the Foot and Mouth Disease between February and July that year.
2002 - Consultation with local communities showed overwhelming support for the creation of a Nature Reserve. A small group of dedicated local people, together with the support of Defra and other bodies worked together to develop the site of today’s nature reserve.
In 2004, seven people from the local community formed a not-for-profit company titled ‘Watchtree Nature Reserve Ltd’.
In 2009, Watchtree Nature Reserve Ltd became registered charity number 1127029. This opened many more opportunities for fundraising, through grants.
Watchtree Wheelers was officially opened on the 4th of June, 2009.
Today - The running of Watchtree has now been separated into 6 departments:
Wheelers, Café, Estates and Habitats, Education, Marketing & Events. Each team leader has their own individual team consisting of part time assistants and volunteers.