Smardale Gill
Smardale National Nature Reserve is about 35 miles south of Carlisle near to Kirkby Stephen, it is a fully pram accessible route and the nearest postcode is CA17 4HG. There is a small car park and my children absolutely ADORED the little green shed at the bottom of the car park, inside were leaflets and maps and everyone knows how much children love a map to follow! These leaflets were fantastic at not only keeping them entertained, but for also showing us the route to the viaduct and where the squirrel feeders were kept. They also provided us with a lot of fabulous information about the viaduct, the old railway line and the surrounding area!
This was a 3.5 mile return route and honestly the nearly birthday boy was the happiest little thing! Although we didn’t see a squirrel the boys did spot all of the squirrel feeders, plenty of birds and also …. a rat ?!!! Huge excitement as you can imagine.
Overall, this was a fabulous walk for those needing an accessible route – it is pram friendly. It is also great for anyone who is keen on squirrels and nature! It is so very well cared for by both the Wildlife Trust and Eden Viaduct Trust, there are lots to see and it is a safe route for little ones.
It is not somewhere we would ever have ventured to had my eldest not started to become slightly squirrel obsessed.
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