Latest news with #woodland
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Live next to Lake Windermere! Rare plot of land in popular beauty spot goes on sale for the first time in 300 years for £1.2million
A rare plot of land next to Lake Windermere has come on the market for the first time in 300 years with a £1.2m guide price. The 32 acres of mixed ancient and semi-natural woodland fronts on to the the lake and estate agents have described the sale as a 'once in a lifetime opportunity'. The land, which provides direct access to the eastern shore of the lake, is being offered for sale by informal tender, final offers to be sent to estate agents by Thursday, September 18. The land is described as perfect for nature conservation, quiet enjoyment, and 'long-term stewardship'. Mark Barrow, director of H&H Land & Estates, said: 'It is impossible to overstate just how remarkable and a one off this opportunity is. 'Windermere for me is without a doubt the Lake District's most iconic lake and along with what can only be described as an unspoilt woodland paradise, this parcel gives the new owners direct access to their own private stretch of waterfront on one of the world's most admired and famous lakes. 'The potential this property offers is genuinely unique and it will appeal to the widest range of buyers, from local property owners and investors to lifestyle purchasers, conservationists, and those looking to secure their own secluded foothold in the heart of the Lake District National Park.' The woodland, which is free from environmental stewardship or woodland schemes, is crossed by a network of 'well-maintained' hardcore tracks and benefits from natural water supplies. The land will be sold as a whole, with a guide price of £1 million to £1.2 million, or in three lots, with guide prices ranging from £150,000 to £550,000. The first lot, with a guide price of £300,000 to £360,000, is made up of 7.92 acres of woodland with 184 metres of lake frontage and includes a site with lapsed planning permission for a proposed forestry building. The second lot, with a guide prices of £530,000 to £550,000, is made up of 12.12 acres of woodland with 350 metres of lake frontage. The third lot, which has a guide price of £150,000 to £210,000, is made up of 12.48 acres of woodland with around 80 metres of lake frontage.
The Guardian
2 days ago
- The Guardian
‘The only thing that gets me out of my tent': the camping essentials you need (and what you don't)
Packing for a camping trip isn't easy, especially if you're not an experienced adventurer. Newbie campers often overpack while simultaneously leaving more useful items at home. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. As a lifelong city dweller, my lack of knowhow has been exposed on trips with my camping-savvy family in the US. It turns out that House of Leaves by Mark Z Danielewski and a medium-sized Bluetooth speaker aren't must-haves on a four-day wilderness hike. Who knew? An extra water bottle would have been a better use of that space, something I learned through a series of hardships. For guidance on this topic, I asked experienced campers – including parents with young kids, festival-goers, outdoor guides and lone wild campers – for their must-pack items. Whether you're taking a £20 tent to a muddy field, glamping in a yurt or going fully off-grid, this list is sure to feature an item you'll be thankful you threw in the bag. For a comprehensive list of essentials, you should always consider the particulars of your upcoming trip. For more help on getting started, I recommend practical checklists from organisations such as the Ordnance Survey and the Camping and Caravanning Club. Northcore Kick Back hammock £34.95 at SurfSurfSurf This hammock is great. If you're camping in, or near, a woodland, you can quickly set it up between a couple of trees to read a book, listen to the birds or take a nap. Dave, north-west London Hennessy Expedition zip hammock £139.95 at Hennessy My hammock is ultra-light compared with a conventional tent; it can be fully zipped open, or closed and covered by the accompanying tarp. It comes with webbing straps to prevent any damage to trees. While my hammock is snug – and not the cheapest option – it's a really novel, comfortable and fun shelter to take on overnight adventures or multi-day expeditions, and an excellent choice when camping in wooded areas. Joe, Cambridgeshire The Filter's top pick for camping: Black Diamond Storm 500R £54.95 at WildBounds£65 at Cotswold Outdoor The Filter's top pick overall: Petzl Swift RL £84.99 at Decathlon A head torch is a non-negotiable. Its usefulness compared with its weight and cost is unmatched. After dark, it's much harder to do basic tasks such as pitching up, prepping a fire or nipping out of the tent in the middle of the night for a loo break. Get one. Adam, East Sussex Everbeam H6 Pro headlamp £16.99 at Amazon There are two main reasons I love this compact little Everbeam torch. First, it's rechargeable via USB, so easy to keep topped up, either at home or on the go using a battery pack. Second, it has an adjustable angle, so no more tilting your head back and forth; just change the angle of the lamp while it's on your head! Also, it comes with a great carry case, protecting it from damage when you just chuck it in your bag. It has two white brightness settings and a red light for when you need a low-light option. Dave, north-west London The Filter's top pick: MSR Hubba Hubba NX £476 at Cotswold Outdoors£476 at Snow and Rock I do like a minimal tent. I'm only using it for sleep after all, so I don't need fancy extras. And I like the feeling of being fully enclosed. A small tent is all a single camper needs, and it provides more shelter than one of those military-style bivi bags, which I'm not a fan of. Michael, Shropshire Coleman Darwin 2 Plus £89.99 at Mountain Warehouse£82.52 at Amazon I love this Coleman tent's extended porch cover. You can leave your pack and shoes outside your tent, so you get less muck inside. This leaves plenty of room indoors for a couple of people, plus a medium-sized dog. The canopy keeps your stuff dry if it rains in the night. Saskia, west London For more, read our guide to the best tents for camping The Filter's favourite chair for two: Kelty Loveseat £130 at Mountain Warehouse£130 at Ellis Brigham My partner and I have enjoyed using this double-camping chair from Kelty for years. It's sturdier and higher quality than the typical camping chairs you may be used to, and it's comfortable enough for one person to curl up on and have a nap. Kelty also makes an Essential single version of this chair, as well as a Deluxe Lounge one, and all are available in the same smart colour schemes. Luke, Watford For more, read our guide to the best camping chairs Anker Soundcore Boom 3i £99.99 at Soundcore£99.99 at Amazon This Bluetooth speaker is more than just waterproof: it floats, it's saltwater resistant, and it can even self-right itself in choppy waters. The Boom 3i packs a hell of a punch too, with powerful bass and a 50W/96dB speaker. The RGB lights add to the fun, bringing a party atmosphere to your pitch, but you can always turn them off if you find them tacky. Remember to always adhere to your campsite's noise rules and regulations: if there's a designated quiet time, respect it – or else incur the wrath of every other family sharing the site. Tom, north-west London The Filter's top pick: Coleman Pro £129.99 at Amazon Coleman 15l Performance cool box £35 at Argos My mates all said it was a waste of space to bring a massive cooler on a two-night camping trip. But who was laughing at the end of the day … when I was the only one with drinkable beer? Coolers aren't even expensive, and when you factor in the savings from not having to drive out of camp to the nearest petrol station to pick up a few cold cans, it's more than worth the initial spend. William, South Yorkshire For more, read our guide to the best cool boxes The Filter's top pick: MSR Switch £115 at LD Mountain Centre£114.75 at Amazon Jetboil MightyMo £75 at Blacks Jetboil MicroMo £134.95 at WildBounds A Jetboil is essential for us whenever we go camping. It doesn't matter if it's a family outing or a week-long wilderness trek – the Jetboil is the first thing we pack. It's lightweight and can bring water to the boil faster than any other camping stove we've tried. I'm always grateful to have it when I'm prepping dehydrated meals at the end of a long day's hike. Don't forget to bring a spare fuel canister. Tommy, Wisconsin, US For more, read our guide to the best camping stoves Blue Mountain Starlight 150L lantern £12 at Cotswold Outdoor £12 at Snow and Rock It's a small thing, but the few pounds I spent on this little lantern were more than worth it. So useful after dark when you need to look for something in your tent, or get up during the night. It also adds a cosy vibe to your haven in the wilderness. Saskia, west London Nilaqua no-rinse body wash, 500ml £6.99 at Victoria Health£6.99 at Boots Clean Life no-rinse foaming body wash, 237ml £4.66 at iHerb£9.99 at Amazon The best recommendation I ever got for camping was to get a no-rinse foam wash. It's mainly used by carers, and it cleans you up without water, so it's worth its weight in gold when you can't shower. It was a life-saver for my pits at El Dorado festival last year. Mel, south London Sign up to The Filter Get the best shopping advice from the Filter team straight to your inbox. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. after newsletter promotion Snugpak The Sleeping Bag WGTE £42.69 at Amazon For UK camping, from spring right through to early autumn, you don't need anything too hardcore. The Sleeping Bag by Snugpak is exceptionally snug and comfortable in a wide range of temperatures. Officially, it is rated suitable in climates from -7C. At less than £50, it's a great buy. Luke, Watford Exped Schnozzel pump bag £26.96 at Alpine Trek The Exped pump bag is my must-have if you want to pack light, since it makes getting ready for bed way easier. First off, it lets you inflate your sleeping mat quickly – and without moisture getting into the mat. Then, it doubles as a waterproof sack to keep your phone (and spare underwear) dry. Molly, Minnesota, US Kelty Cosmic Si Mummy sleeping pad £56 at Decathlon£69 at Mountain Warehouse Maybe you don't want to bother with inflating your sleeping mat at all, in which case I can recommend the Cosmic Si Mummy. To get this mat ready, all you need to do is lay it out flat, unscrew the valve and … actually, that's it. Come back later, tighten up the valve and go to sleep. In my experience, it takes about 30 to 40 minutes to fully inflate, but if you're in a rush, you can still inflate it manually. It's comfy to lie on and easy to pack down too. Tom, north-west London For more, read our guide to the best camping mattresses and sleeping mats The Filter's top pick: Belkin BoostCharge Pro 3-port 20k £79.99 at Argos£79.99 at Amazon Juice Eco Max+ 24,000mAh portable power bank £34.99 at Argos I got this power bank before a long weekend of climbing and camping in Suffolk. It kept three phones charged up enough for the three-day trip, which is all you can ask for. There are more expensive ones that will charge your phone faster, but I wanted one that specifically charged up to three devices at once and had a large capacity. This one does the job perfectly. Tom, north-west London For more, read our guide to the best power banks Halfords Advanced 2l jump starter power bank £60.99 at Halfords Halfords 6-in-1 jump starter power pack £99.99 at Halfords You may never actually need it, but trust me – I'm speaking from experience – you don't want to be stuck in the middle of an empty campsite in the New Forest with a dead car battery, in the rain and sleet. One of those things that's better to have and not need than the other way around. Tom, north-west London Sea to Summit collapsible X-pot 4l £79.99 at Sub Zero Sea to Summit Frontier Ultralight collapsible 2.2l pouring pot £62.95 at Outdoor Action£90 at Cotswold Outdoor Sea to Summit makes practical cooking pots with silicone sides that pack down flat for easy transport. The lid can be used like a sieve to pour out excess liquid when cooking pasta, plus these pots double up well as basins to do your washing-up in. Luke, Watford Lifeventure all-purpose biodegradable soap From £4.99 at Lifeventure£4.99 at Amazon An all-purpose soap is good for cleaning your body, doing the washing-up or anything that needs a quick de-griming. Once, I didn't wash at a festival, and my friends refused to stay in the same tent as me (although now that I think about it, that was kind of a bonus). Alba, Norfolk The Filter's top pick for women: Lowa Renegade Evo GTX £219.95 at Cotswold Outdoor The Filter's top pick for men: La Sportiva TX5 From £210.99 at Amazon Danner Women's Trail 2650 Campo £110 at Naked Ape Danner Men's Trail 2650 Mid GTX £200 at Ellis Brigham I have a pair of Danner boots that I always wear when I go hiking or camping. My whole family loves Danner. They're the most reliable shoes for hiking as far as I'm concerned, with a snug fit that makes you feel more balanced as you make your way through the forests and hills. They also come in lots of colours. Gwyneth, south-west London For more, read our guide to the best hiking boots for men and women GSI Mini espresso set 1 cup £41.20 at Rock + Run You can't start a day without a decent cup of coffee in your system. Little coffee makers such as these are awesome for camping because they're easy to clean and pack away when you're done. The promise of a proper espresso from one of these is the only thing that gets me out of my tent in the morning. Matteo, north London Flip 7 £9.95 at Zatu Games£13.99 at Waterstones If you go camping with your family, you should buy the game Flip 7. It's our new favourite filler game. It's easy to play, you can teach it in a couple of minutes, but you can play it for hours! It's just fine for three players, but it can go up to 12 or more. It's also cheap. You don't even need to look into it, just buy it. Trust me, you're going to love it. It's the greatest card game of all time. It says it right on the box. Clayton, Wisconsin, US Those little bug zappers that you can hang in your tent or place on a table. When bugs are thick enough to be an issue, it can't get all of them. You'll inevitably end up with some mosquito bites anyway. Stick to using good old-fashioned bug spray, and don't leave your tent unzipped if there are lots of critters about! Saskia, west London The 'overnight' bug spray that you fully saturate your clothes in, only for the effects to wear off in less than a day. The bad smell sticks around for longer! Bill, South Dakota, US Oversized, multi-room tents are just a waste of space and money. Why do you need to walk around fully upright in your tent? You won't be spending that long in there anyway. Matteo, north London
BBC News
3 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
'War not over' to protect land next to ancient wood in Derby
A campaign group has promised to continue its efforts to protect a Derbyshire woodland after a developer was refused permission to build 150 homes on land City councillors voted unanimously to reject a planning application to build the homes on farmland off Lime Lane, Oakwood, next to Chaddesden Bryant, the chairperson of Friends of Chaddesden Wood group, said they are concerned developer JGP Properties Ltd could appeal against the council's decision to the Planning Inspectorate, which could grant planning permission for the said: "We are happy to have won this battle but we're not sure that the war is over." She added: "It's felt like a dark cloud hanging over us for the past two and a half years and now we face the prospect of fighting again if they choose to appeal."Planning documents submitted by JGP Properties said the development would include open spaces and green corridors to protect the woodland, which dates back to the middle ages and is a Site of Special Scientific the council voted to refuse the application after it received 1,500 objections and 150 people opposed to the development attended the planning committee hearing on 11 July. Ms Bryant said the group is now hoping to speak to the landowner and have a conversation about possibly purchasing the site from them. "Our hope is to extend the woodland by planting thousands of trees, new hedgerows, dig in ponds and putting in paths for public access," she said."This would be a huge win for biodiversity and it would protect the ancient wood into the future by securing its connection to the countryside."We will be having further discussions with our MP, Jonathan Davis, Derby City Council, the Woodland Trust and many other groups to defend the unanimous stance the planning officers have taken against building here."JGP Properties Ltd has been contacted for comment.
BBC News
17-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Bingley campaign launched to buy Goit Stock waterfall beauty spot
A fundraising campaign has been launched to help a West Yorkshire community buy an ancient woodland and waterfall, preserving it for future of Goit Stock Wood, a newly registered charity, is aiming to raise £195,000 by mid-September to buy the 70-acre Goit Stock Wood in Harden near site, home to a spectacular 20ft (6m) waterfall, is a popular beauty spot and has been listed as an Asset of Community Value by Bradford trustee Tom Wood said: "This is a once-in-a-generation chance to protect a unique woodland and give it back to the community." He said the group had launched a business sponsorship scheme to "give local companies a simple way to get involved, and make a big difference to this community project".Businesses are urged to get behind the scheme, with sponsorship packages starting at £50.A wider crowdfunder will woodland plot for sale is currently part of the privately owned Harden and Bingley Park, which also includes a static caravan home business. Supporters will be featured on the charity's website, social media, and - if the project succeeds - on a sign in the wood. Higher-tier packages will allow individuals and businesses to sponsor a larger Wood said several local companies had already shown "a real appetite to help", and volunteers would be visiting businesses in and around Bingley over the next week."But we'd welcome support from further afield too," he added. "Every contribution brings us closer to our goal." The campaign began with a public meeting in the village of Harden in April, Goit Stock Wood was designated an Asset of Community Value and a charity application was status was granted in recent weeks, members of the charity have attended local galas in Harden, Wilsden and Cullingworth, gaining wide public support - with more events the wood is purchased, the charity said it aimed to "enhance biodiversity, create volunteering opportunities and educate visitors about the importance of protecting natural habitats".It said community ownership would ensure the woodland, which has been on sale since last year, is preserved for future generations, free from commercial exploitation or unsuitable development. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
16-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Holiday park near King's Cliffe woodland set to be expanded
Plans to expand a holiday park site set in an ancient woodland have been approved. North Northamptonshire Council gave the green light on 9 July for Rockingham Forest Park, near King's Cliffe, to provide a further 64 static caravan lodges and facilities hub on the site. The park, which is located on the site of a World War Two airfield, opened in April 2021, offering 50 to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), designs included a new central facilities building, which would feature a restaurant, bar, gym, swimming pool and spa. Rockingham Forest Park said the second phase of development sought to respond to a demand for additional units and feedback from its guests. Lodges with two to five bedrooms and an additional 156 parking spaces would be provided. North Northamptonshire Council's planning authority previously objected to plans after the developer sought an extra 80 holiday lodges. Concerns were raised about the impact on wildlife, flooding, and increased traffic. The LDRS said one resident called the area a "notorious accident blackspot", but the local highways authority did not raise on behalf of the applicant, Becky Brown said: "Phase one of the Park was designed and has been built out with environmental stewardship at its core. "By granting planning permission, the Park will continue to attract visitors to the area and contribute to the local economy without having any adverse impact on the sensitive environment."The applicant said the expansion would generate 31 new full-time positions as well as several part-time Water objected to the expansion due to capacity constraints and pollution risk but said it would be acceptable if a strategic foul water strategy was submitted and approved. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
