Woodland

A unique small woodland retreat with a disused reservoir, located in a very quiet spot in the Scottish Border hills, north of Carlisle.
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Berclees Copse nestles in the valley of the Cadgill Burn in the foothills of the Scottish Borders concealing within, a small, disused, covered reservoir. Consisting of a stand of mature moss-covered birch trees interspersed with a few young conifers, the copse also features a short but direct frontage along the burn.

Viewing of the land is strictly by appointment only. Please email or ring in advance giving the details of the vehicle you will be parking at the entrance.
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Trees:
The main tree species here is the graceful birch, self-seeded willow, hazel and holly, with one or two small beech saplings making up the remainder of the tree stock. A couple of young spruce have also made their way here, no doubt from neighbouring forestry plantations.
The woodland floor is a verdant mat of assorted mosses and ferns with a wealth of accompanying flora; sorrel, honeysuckle and young bramble to name but a few.
A variety of lichens encrust any remaining surfaces; walls, rocks, tree trunks and even the curved roof of the reservoir.
Wildlife:
The local area is home to transient roe deer which no doubt call by from time to time. The main habitual occupants of the wood are a variety of small birds; robins, wrens, finches and tits, in the main.
Features:
The history of the reservoir is obscured by time but was presumably built to serve nearby communities. Now redundant, its contents dispersed, it is surprisingly dry and airy inside.
Cadgill Burn, a small peat-stained flow, forms part of the boundary and is an interesting addition to the wood.
Access, tracks and footpaths:
The copse is accessed via the track serving High Stenries farm. As this involves walking through the farm yard, respect for the farmer and his family's privacy is requested. From the farmyard, the track continues down over fields containing stock. Any gates opened, must be firmly closed.
Access into the wood is over the Cadgill Burn ford, wellies are a definite requirement, and then through a small gate into the wood.

Viewing is strictly by appointment only. Please email or ring in advance giving the details of the vehicle you will be parking at the entrance.
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Rights and covenants:
The standard woodlands covenant does NOT apply to this wood.
Activities:
Surrounded by woodland and rough pasture, this little-visited area offers those rare commodities; peace and seclusion.
Local area and history:
This area of the Scottish Borders was once home to marauding bands of raiders and cattle thieves known as the reivers. Many echoes of their turbulent past can be seen in the surrounding landscape. The nearby Scotsdike is but 3 or four miles away, a large earthwork denoting the old England-Scotland border and also the fringe of the debatable lands; a small area to the west where the lawlessness was at its peak.

Boundaries:
The boundaries of the wood are as shown on the detail map.