Welcome to John Temple’s Cumbria
And his introduction to bird watching and wildlife in the Lake District
According to the BBC Wildlife magazine, Cumbria is the best place to live in the UK if you love wildlife. The magazine has surveyed wildlife records across the UK, as well as the percentage of land protected and the variety of habitats, to come to its decision. According to BBC Wildlife “When it comes to variety, beauty and abundance of wildlife, Cumbria is the county with everything”. If it’s the best place to live, it’s also the best place to visit. And within the Lake District National Park in Cumbria there are few places more dramatic, beautiful, inspiring and worth a visit than Buttermere Valley.
If you love looking for wildlife while you’re out rambling, or you get great enjoyment out of exploring places that are off the ‘beaten track’ then John Temple’s Cumbria is the place to be.
John is a born and bred Cumbrian and full-time farmer that takes no greater pleasure than guiding individuals, couples and small, friendly groups out into the valleys, out to the coast and onto the fells to see landscapes and wildlife they may not otherwise encounter. His passion is the very surroundings in which he lives and he is more than willing to share his in-depth local experience with those that have similar values and enthusiasm.
It is difficult to do things in a traditional manner as the weather and wildlife rarely run to a predictable time-table. Flexibility is the key to getting the most from a trip with John as there’s hardly any point reaching a particular destination only to find it obscured by cloud or impassable through rain or snow. His experience on the local fells helps him know when is the best time to leave for a specific place, vista or wildlife encounter keeping all those interested fully informed of what those plans are and when they are likely to take place. Flexibility works both ways and John will do his utmost to tailor your trip to the Lakeland weather, however this means that departure times cannot always be set in stone.
Stay on the farm in Buttermere Cottage, camp in the Camping Barn, rent the Caravan or stay in one of the hotels in the village – choose whichever best suits your needs, budget and desired levels of comfort but being close at hand for when the right moment arises is quite important – especially if the journey is a sunrise one!
Because of the potential unpredictability of the weather and the wildlife that John hopes to share with his guests it is not always possible to meet expectations via email. Please, by all means, use the contact details on this website to make any initial enquiries but the finer details, specific questions, dates, times or plans are better discussed on the phone. Contact John on 07798 767806 or 017687 70204 after 7:00pm.
Lake District guided walks with bird watching and nature spotting based in the Buttermere area and surrounding countryside.
Throughout my lifetime I have spent many years farming and working in the idyllic Lake District valleys of Thirlmere, Borrowdale, Buttermere, Haweswater and Newlands as well as around Bassenthwaite (famous for its Ospreys) and the well-known town of Keswick.
Having settled in Buttermere this beautiful corner of northern England gives me a unique insight in to its nature. As walking daily in this landscape, with its mixture of farmland, lakes and mountains, is part of both my livelihood and way of life, I have gained a great understanding of the Lake District wildlife, especially the birds as well as how they change with the weather and seasons. I have a great interest in how the habitats and their inhabitants have changed over the recent years and how this has come about.
Because of my passion for the environment, my farming reflects this with flora and fauna-friendly practices and developing new habitats to encourage greater diversity. We have recently brought a Comtois horse from its native region of Jura in France with the hope of bringing him on to work on the farm as a more ecologically friendly alternative to some of the modern machinery. I also undertake conservation work with bats protecting their habitats around the Cumbria.
When not farming, or bird watching in the Lake District, I enjoy exploring new areas around Cumbria and further afield going to both traditional reserves and surprising habitats including the industrial regions where unexpected visiting and resident species can be found. I have travelled in Europe, the Caribbean, Central America, Africa, Asia and New Zealand to watch more exotic wildlife. When I have time, I enjoy reading and researching about the places, birds, mammals and reptiles that I have yet to see.
I enjoy sharing this special knowledge with fellow nature-lovers so if you are interested in wildlife, bird watching, the local traditional hill farming practices, or just want to immerse yourself in the countryside, why not book a guided walk with me? Perfect if you are looking for things to do in the Lake District on a weekend break or combining it with other Lake District attractions or other places to see in the UK on a longer trip.
Tours
Why not join John for a half or whole day experience combining farming, fell walking or the historic countryside with bird and wildlife watching. The following tours are very flexible and can be altered to match your interests. Please call John who will tailor your visit to suit you. Because of the flexibility, costs will vary so please contact us for further details.
John: 07798 767806 or 017687 70204 (after 7pm).
Farming and Birdwatching
- Half day
- Get involved in a day in the life of a sheep farmer. This will give you a great opportunity to see the local wildlife in their natural habitat.
- Full day
- As above but with the chance to walk on the fantastic Lake District fells (mountains) and learn about the traditional hill farming system.
Lowland Birdwatching
- Half day
- Go bird and nature-watching in the Buttermere area
- Full day
- Search for birds further afield in lowland, marsh and/or coastal habitats depending on the weather and time of year.
Fell Walking and Birdwatching
- Half or full day (depending on fitness!)
- Walk the fells with a local who is proud to call these mountains his home. Explore areas off the beaten track looking for birds and other wildlife and experience the amazing scenery.
Historic Countryside and Birdwatching
- Full day
- Look for birds interspersed with visits to cultural and historic sites around the Lake District.
The Farm
Cragg House Farm is a traditional Lakeland hill sheep farm situated in the Buttermere valley. The majority of the farm is owned by The National Trust where as tenants, John and Vicki run approximately 750 sheep with their lambs. The top of the mountains are where the iconic Herdwick sheep graze with Cheviots on the lower slopes. The farmhouse is a Grade II listed building dating from the 17th century with many sites of archaeological interest within the farm buildings, surrounding rough pasture land and ancient woodlands. It is nestled between the lakes of Buttermere and Crummock Water with mountain ranges on all sides of the valley giving imposing views of Haystacks, Melbreak and Red Pike from the farmyard. The larger Borrowdale range encompassing Scafell Pike, Great and Green Gables lie at the head of the valley.
Historically, Buttermere village takes its name from ‘the lake by the dairy pastures’. At the top of the village where the Newlands and Honister passes meet is the small church of St. James. Wordsworth said of this church ‘A man must be very unsensible who would not be touched at the sight of the chapel of Buttermere. The original chapel was consecrated in 1507, the current church dating from 1840 with renovations undertaken in 1930. Inside the church is an antique organ dating from 1820 and a stone tablet in the sill of the south window as a memorial to Alfred Wainwright the famous walker and writer of guide books. The window looks out to Haystacks where his ashes are scattered.
Within the village itself is the Bridge Hotel (c1735) which stands on a site which has been occupied for 1000 years. The other hotel; The Fish Inn is regarded as one of the oldest Inns in the Lake District.
At the far end of Buttermere lake is Gatesgarth farm – the name originates from the Old Norse for ‘the pass where the goats go’. This area was the site of one of the earliest of 5 vaccaries (medieval cattle farms) in the central Lake District dating from 1267. By the late 1280s it supported 40 milk cows and followers.
Beyond Gatesgarth is Honister Pass, at the top of which lies Honister Slate mine. The first confirmed records of slate mining here are in the early 1700’s but it is thought it was used in Roman times and possibly in a more haphazard way as early as prehistoric times.
Buttermere Cottage
Located on Cragg House Farm, Buttermere Cottage is a perfect base for outdoor activities such as walking, fishing and climbing or more leisurely nature watching, sight-seeing or just relaxing.
The Camping Barn
A traditional stone building, on a typical, rural, Lakeland hill farm. Described by many as a ‘stone tent’ it provides a dry, comfy sleeping area plus toilet, shower and kitchen area. Sleeps 8.
Details to follow…Buttermere Village
A pretty little village with two hotels, The Bridge Hotel and the Fish Inn, both offering good food and beer. Plus there is a small selection of local guest houses and B&B’s.