Blencathra Saddleback THE ENGLISH LAKE DISTRICT NATIONAL PARK

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1 Blencathra Saddleback THE ENGLISH LAKE DISTRICT NATIONAL PARK

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3 Blencathra Saddleback THE ENGLISH LAKE DISTRICT NATIONAL PARK THE LORDSHIP OF THE MANOR OF THRELKELD 10 miles from Penrith and the M6 One of the grandest objects in Lakeland and one of the best known. An iconic mountain massif A jewel in Lakeland s crown A unique investment opportunity An historic Manorial Title 2,676 acres (1,083 ha) Common grazing land and historic mine workings FOR SALE PRIVATELY AS A WHOLE Borderway, Rosehill, Carlisle, Cumbria CA1 2RS hhland.co.uk

4 The Blencathra massif is arguably the best known, most prominent and recognisable of the Lakeland Fells. Commonly known as Saddleback due to its distinctive profile, Blencathra is located in the Northern Fells of the Lake District National Park, and overlooks the A66 between Penrith and Keswick, only about 12 miles west of the M6. Its characteristic silhouette is clearly visible over a wide area of Northern Cumbria. The principle attractions of the Lake District are all within easy reach, including the popular town of Keswick on the shores of Derwentwater (about 4 miles), Bassenthwaite Lake (about 8 miles), Ullswater and the Helvellyn range (about 12 miles) and the honeypot centres of Ambleside and Windermere (about 16 miles). The attractive market town of Penrith (about 14 miles) has excellent inter city rail connections to both the north and south; there are frequent services to London, the fastest now taking only 3 hours. International airports at Newcastle (about 85 miles), Manchester (about 120 miles) and Glasgow (about 130 miles) are all easily reached. The English Lake District is renowned for its outstanding beauty, with endless recreational opportunities for walking, climbing and sailing. Derwentwater, Bassenthwaite Lake and Ullswater are very popular boating and sailing centres. Further afield, Hadrian s Wall, the unspoilt Solway coast and the Scottish Border country are all within easy reach.

5 Many of the area s premier Pennine grouse moors lie nearby; pheasant and partridge shooting are available locally, together with salmon fishing on the River Eden. For golf enthusiasts, there are a number of courses in the area, including Keswick, Penrith and the well known links course at Silloth (about 30 miles). DIRECTIONS From Junction 40 off the M6 at Penrith, follow the A66 west towards Keswick. The Blencathra massif will soon be seen to the north, the village of Threlkeld (below the south flank) being about 13 miles from the motorway. The Lake District National Park is one of the best known and most loved areas of the United Kingdom and is currently undergoing an application for World Heritage status.

6 DESCRIPTION Blencathra covers an area of about 2,676 acres (1,083 ha), rising to a summit of 868m (2,850 ft). The central flanks of Blencathra fall sharply on three sides towards the A66; to the west it adjoins the Skiddaw range, whilst to the North the land falls more gently towards Bowscale and the Uldale Fells. Scales Tarn nestles in a bowl below the Eastern flank, surrounded by steep crags; it is overshadowed by Sharp Edge, the main route to the summit and well known in climbing and walking circles. The Glenderamackin River rises here on its journey to Derwent Water. On a clear day, the views from the summit on Hallsfell Top are incomparable: to the East and North across the Eden Valley, the northern Pennines and up to the Southern Uplands of Scotland; to the South and West over the principle Lakeland Peaks often as far as North Wales and the Isle of Man. long into a vein that yielded lead and zinc. Disused since the 1930s, the levels can still be seen when following the valley up to Middle Tongue. There are also some old mines in the Glenderaterra valley next to Blease Fell, with lead and copper being mined from two smaller veins until the 1920s; a few unsuccessful workings that produced limonite and lead were driven during the 1890s near Scales Tarn and in Mousthwaite Comb east of Scales Fell. Blencathra is sold subject to Common Grazing rights held by adjoining farmers. The freehold owner has no grazing rights and at present derives no financial benefit from the grazing rights or existing Stewardship schemes. (see General Remarks section) The area has an extensive and interesting history of mining and was once used as a source of various minerals. The largest mining works are on the western side of Hall s Fell in the Gate Gill valley with the disused lead mine near Threlkeld being one of several levels driven up to a mile

7 Alfred Wainwright in his famous and definitive guides refers to Blencathra as... a mountaineers mountain Blencathra is one of the grandest objects in Lakeland. And one of the best known. Seen from the south-west, the popular aspect, the mountain rises steeply and in isolation above the broad green fields of Threlkeld, a feature being the sweeping curve leaping out of the depths to a lofty summit-ridge, where the skyline then proceeds in a succession of waves to a sharp peak before descending, again in a graceful curve, to the valley pastures far to the east. Alfred Wainwright. From A Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells Book Five: The Northern Fells by Alfred Wainwright published by Frances Lincoln Ltd, copyright The Estate of A. Wainwright Reproduced by permission of Frances Lincoln Ltd.

8 The Lordship of the Manor of Threlkeld This ancient Manorial Title is included in the sale and presents a very rare opportunity to acquire an historic feudal Lordship. The buyer will be entitled use the title Lord of the Manor of Threlkeld and can apply to the College of Arms for an individual coat of arms. The earliest reference to the name Threlkeld originally spelled Trellekel - dates back to The name has been spelled Threlkeld since the 1240s and is a Norse word used by the Viking settlers. Interestingly, it means the spring of the thralls a thrall was a serf or slave. The de Threlkelds, who took their name from the village, were lords of the manor from the Middle Ages until the reign of Henry VIII when the male line died out. The last in the male line, Sir Lancelot Threlkeld, had three daughters and the youngest girl, Winifred, married William Pickering of Killington near Kendal and the couple took over the lordship. Over the next few generations, the manor changed hands a number of times from the Pickerings to the Irton family, the Speddings and then the Howards of Greystoke Castle. The Lordship of the Manor of Threlkeld was bought in the 1620s by the Lowther family and has remained in their hands of their descendants ever since an unbroken ownership for almost four hundred years. In the 17 th and 18 th centuries, manorial tenants were required to carry out compulsory work for the lord of the manor - ploughing, mowing, shearing and clipping sheep, and going onto the Commons and fellsides to dig and carry peat for the lord s winter fuel. Other tenants had to do different sorts of labour mending drystone walls, repairing the manorial cornmill, or thatching buildings belonging to the manor. In return, the tenants of the manor were allowed to take peat, thatching materials, building stone and slate for a nominal charge, for their own use. Sadly (for some at least!) all these customs were abolished in the late eighteenth century. The lordship also once benefitted from slate and granite quarries and copper and lead mines on Blencathra. Blencathra s reputation as a tourist attraction also has its roots in the 18 th century, when people would travel on horseback or by carriage along the new Penrith to Keswick turnpike road to enjoy the spectacular views. The first account of climbers reaching the summit dates from 1793, when they admired prospects of the utmost grandeur. On stern Blencathra s perilous height The winds are tyrannous and strong; And flashing forth unsteady light From stern Blencathra s skiey height, As loud the torrents throng! Excerpt from: A Thought Suggested by a View of Saddleback in Cumberland by Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1800) Blencathra gives its name to the noted Lakeland Fell pack, the Blencathra Foxhounds, who are kennelled nearby; they are the successors to the legendry John Peel s hounds. Peel is buried in Caldbeck Churchyard. The Rt. Hon J W Lowther, later Viscount Ullswater, was Master from 1903 to Visit for further detail and background information HYDRO ELECTRIC SITE The sellers have entered into a lease with the Field Studies Centre for an hydroelectric scheme to serve their Blencathra Centre at Threlkeld, on the south west edge of the Common; this includes a weir on Roughten Gill, a Turbine House and electric cabling to the Centre. The lease is for a term of 50 years from 25 October 2013 at an annual rent of 1,000, payable annually in advance. A Royalty Rent of 4/ megawatt hour (MWH) is payable in addition for production in excess of 1500MWH/annum. Both rents are subject to three yearly RPI linked reviews. A copy of the Lease is available with the Sales Pack (see below).

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11 GENERAL REMARKS Common Land Saddleback Common is registered Common land (unit CL66). It is unenclosed on the northern & eastern boundaries and is contiguous with Mungrisdale Common (CL293) and the southern part of Carrock Fell & Mungrisdale Fell (CL60). The registered area is 1,083 ha. There are rights on the Common for: 5471 ewes 202 shearlings 732 hoggs 200 lambs Some of the sheep rights can be substituted for cattle or ponies. There are ten active graziers in the HLS agreement, of which six hold rights on Saddleback Common; they graze a mix of Swaledale and Herdwick sheep, Herdwicks being the indigenous local breed. There are a further six local farmers who have rights to graze but are not currently exercising them. HLS (Higher Level Stewardship) Agreement The Common is in an HLS agreement (started in December 2010 and running to November 2020) with the Mungrisdale and Carrock Commons. This restricts the number of sheep allowed on the Common at all times of the year. As part of the HLS agreement, three small areas (totalling 13.11ha acres) have been fenced off and planted with trees. Designations, Habitats, Historic & Natural Features The Common includes the summit of Blencathra (868 m AOD) as well as Atkinson Pike, Scales Fell, Doddick Fell, Hall s Fell, Gategill Fell and Blease Fell, which are all part of the Blencathra massif. Blencathra forms part of the Skiddaw Group SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) in unfavourable recovering condition and the Lake District High Fells SAC (Special Area of Conservation a European designation). It falls within the Bassenthwaite Lake catchment area. The habitats found on the Common are: Approx 200 ha of upland heath (heather etc) About 30 ha of blanket bog A similar area of other mires, flushes and bogs The rest is rough grassland, classed as montane heath by Natural England above 600 metres AOD. There are five historic sites recorded on the Common, all related to the lead mining activity once carried out there. Single Payment Scheme (SPS) The sale does not include any SPS entitlements. Sporting Rights In so far as they are owned, sporting rights are included in the sale. Mines and Minerals Minerals including clay, boulder clay, sand and gravel beneath the property (and the strata bearing them) are excluded from the sale but the sellers will not reserve any rights of working or any other minerals. Airspace In accordance with Estate policy freehold airspace over 10m above ground level will be excluded from the sale. Hydro Electric Schemes Subject to planning consent, there may be opportunities for further hydroelectric schemes in the future. The sellers will not retain any rights for such schemes. Boundaries There is no available information as to repairing responsibility for the existing boundaries on the south and west side of the Common. However the boundaries have apparently been repaired for many years by the adjoining landowners who are deemed to have accepted responsibility for them. Access The owners of the enclosed land on the south west boundary (near Threlkeld village) are assumed to have prescriptive rights of access to it over the Common. The property is sold subject to any public and private rights of way or access, including those arising by long user. There is a small and apparently informal public car park on the south-west corner of the property, adjacent to the Blencathra Centre.

12 VIEWING Although Blencathra is a Public Access area under the Right to Roam legislation and can be viewed from existing Public Footpaths, prospective buyers are strongly advised to make appointments to view through the Selling Agents. For Health and Safety reasons, those viewing Blencathra are urged to exercise due care and attention, particularly in the vicinity of the former mine workings. Further detail and background information on Blencathra can be found at: METHOD OF SALE Blencathra is offered for sale privately with a closing date set for receipt of best and final offers to be received by the Selling Agents by: NOON ON WEDNESDAY 2 ND JULY 2014 The Sellers reserve the right to consider offers in advance of the closing date. VAT will be payable on the sale price. A Sales Pack, including the Sale Contract, associated documents and Offer Form can be inspected online ( and in person at the Selling Agents offices in Carlisle. The successful bidder will be required to exchange contracts within 10 working days of acceptance of the offer and will be deemed to have made the offer in full knowledge and acceptance of the Conditions of Sale. SELLERS SOLICITORS Bond Dickinson One Trinity, Broad Chare, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 2HF David Towns Direct: Mobile: Office: Fax: +44 (0) DX Newcastle upon Tyne 28 Thank you to Val Corbett ( ) and David Morley for the kind permission to reprint their photographs

13 Glasgow Airport Blencathra Newcastle Airport Manchester Airport

14 IMPORTANT NOTICE H&H LAND AND PROPERTY Ltd for themselves and for the Vendor or Lessors of this property, whose Agents they are, give notice that: (i) (ii) the particulars are set out as a general outline only for the guidance of intending Purchasers or Lessees and do not constitute, nor constitute part of, an offer or contract; all descriptions, dimensions, areas references to condition and necessary permissions for use and occupation and other detail are given as a guide only and without responsibility and any intending Purchasers or Tenants should not rely on them as statements or representations of fact but must satisfy themselves, by inspection or otherwise, as to the correctness of each of them; no employee of H&H LAND AND PROPERTY Ltd has the authority to make or give any representation or warranty whatever in relation to this property nor is any such representation or warranty given whether by H&H LAND AND PROPERTY Ltd. or the Vendors or the Lessors of this property. (iii) the making of any offer (bid) for this property will be taken as an admission by the intending Purchaser that s/he has relied solely upon his own personally verified information, inspection and enquiries. (iv) the photographs depict only certain parts of the property. It should not be assumed that the property remains as displayed in the photographs. (v) where any reference is made to planning permissions or potential uses, such information is given by H&H LAND AND PROPERTY Ltd in good faith. Prospective Purchasers should make their own enquiries with the Local Planning Authority into such matters. (vi) the Vendors reserve the right to amalgamate, withdraw or exclude either of the Lots shown at any time and to generally amend the particulars or method of sale. (vii) the property is sold subject to reserve(s). (viii) H&H LAND AND PROPERTY Ltd reserve the right to sell privately without imposing a closing date and do not bind themselves to accept the highest or any offer. These particulars have been prepared in accordance with The Business Protection from Misleading Marketing Regulations to give a fair overall view of the property. Particulars Prepared February 2014

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