Our Story

Witherslack Hall Estate sits on the edge of the Winster Valley in Southern Lakeland. Bordered to the West by the river Winster and to the East by Whitbarrow Scar, this 800 hectare Estate comprises the largest area of semi natural woodland in Cumbria.

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Run as part of the Estate, Witherslack Orchards manages 12 orchards of varying sizes. Most are ancient orchards stocked with local varieties of damson and apple trees. We have also identified three sites where the orchards have been lost, here we have planted new trees to restore the landscape and increase biodiversity.

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We work in an environmentally sustainable way, rejecting the use of chemicals and pesticides and actively encouraging wildlife to increase biodiversity over the land. Our conservation graziers, Helen and Adam, graze their rare breed flock of Devon Closewool sheep in the orchards. Grazing sensitively and keeping stock levels low helps us to produce a species rich grassland full of wildflowers and insect life.