Sizergh Wild Play Trail
The wild play trail at Sizergh gives children (and adults) an excuse to explore and play in the woods. The Sizergh Family Volunteers helped design and plan the trail, which tests your balance, stamina, resolve and your brainpower and it takes you off the beaten track into the depths of the wood allowing you to experience ancient trees, exotic looking fungus and beautiful ground flora. You will be sharing the wood with nesting buzzards, Roe Deer and Foxes who all call Chapel wood their home, so make sure that your your senses are sharp!
Park in the main Sizergh castle car park and walk over to the veranda, you will find the first clue hanging on the larch cladded wall. Following the clue will take you to the start of the play trail. Come prepared with stout footwear, the trail is about a mile and a half long loop, returning you back to the car park. The play trail is open all year round, but it may be slippy in wet or icy conditions.
Further Information
All the seasons are different and special in the wood. Come in winter and keep your eyes peeled for the footprints that can be found in the mud or snow; in spring and you will find yourself surrounded by bluebells and other woodland flowers; summer is the time to see the lush British woodland at its best and autumn is when the woodland comes alive with nuts, seeds, berries and fungi.
By Sam Sharples
I work as an Assistant Ranger across the extremely diverse South and East Cumbria and Morecambe Bay area. Due to the wide ranging habitats that we look after, my job is extremely diverse - one day I might be repairing a wall overlooking a sea cliff and the next, I could be coppicing in ancient woodland, 50 miles from the sea, creating habitats for birds and insects.
How to get here
Address:
Sizergh Car Park, Kendal
Ashbank Lane
Kendal LA8 8
Ordnance Survey Map:
Ordnance Survey OL7
The English Lakes
South Eastern area
Grid Refrence:
SD 496 878
Directions:
Greener Transport:
By foot: Many footpaths and bridleways head towards the estate and castle from Kendal and the surrounding area.
By cycle: RCR20 passes main gate.
Bus: Regular services 555/556 from Kendal
Train: West Coast mainline station Oxenholme Lake District 3 miles away. Also regular services to Kendal train station where can connect with bus services.
Traveline: 0871 200 22 33