Blue Dub is a wood of mixed and diverse habitats, topography and ground conditions. Bounded by the River Ehern, which forms the Lake District National Park boundary, it as wild and unspoilt woodland as one might hope to find. Immediately beyond the ridestop entrance area is a large flat meadow. Mown regularly to keep back the bracken and brambles, an impressively varied selection of woodland plants has sprung to the fore. Seasonal maintenance of this area will maintain a rewarding return of a beautiful wild flower meadow.

The meadow is fringed to the north by a screen of formerly coppiced hazel, beyond which lies the chattering Horsegill, which forms the north westerly boundary of the wood. To the south is found the much larger River Ehern which has SSSI status. Notable for excellent fishing opportunities and a large population of endangered fresh water mussels. Pools in the river were previously used by local children for washing and swimming. They knew these as the Blue Dub pools, thus giving rise to the name of the wood.

Following the river to the east brings the start of the main body of the wood. A deer path through a thicket of blackthorn, with its autumn harvest of purple sloes, leads along the river bank. Marshy patches host patches of golden saxifrage, horsetail fern and marsh marigold. Alder and willow dip their branches in the free-flowing water rubbing shoulders with ash and birch in the drier areas. Along the hard surfaced access track are some quite magnificent and aged oaks, all hung about with a beard of aerial ferns.

Beneath overhanging boughs, small sandy beaches show evidence of use as otter entry points. Further up the bank the small pointed spoor of roe deer imprint the crisscrossing pathways. Even higher still, way up in the canopy, the much loved red squirrel still has a strong foothold in this wood.

As might be expected the variety of habitats supports a corresponding variety of bird life. Herons and dippers frequent the river margins and are easily seen, more difficult to spot is that underwater fisherman supreme, the kingfisher. Often only revealing his presence by an iridescent flash in the corner of the eye. Summer visitors such as chiff chaff and willow warbler swell the resident population of tits, finches, woodpecker and woodcock.

The wood benefits from the granting of planning permission for a 10’x10’ woodsman's cabin. Of late a considerable amount of new planting has been undertaken, over 280 trees including; Willow, Blackthorn, Hawthorn, Dog Rose, Holly, Rowan, Oak, Bird Cherry, Wild Cherry, Scottish Fir and Maple. About 1100 woodland bulbs and 2kg of wild flower seeds have also been introduced, investing in the future diversity of the wood.

Several camping areas have been cleared and fishing access to the riverbank improved. Red squirrel conservation within the woods as a whole is showing positive improvements in the squirrel population and sightings have become more frequent.

This is a very rare opportunity to purchase a beautiful piece of woodland. Please do take a look at the two videos below to fully appreciate Blue Dub in its full glory.

Locally: With the charming village of Ennerdale Bridge less than four miles away, this is a quiet and little-visited corner of the Lake District. Nearby, Ennerdale Water is rated as Cumbria's most secluded lake. However, there are plenty of B&Bs and pubs serving the local community and the St Bees to Robin Hood's Bay coast to coast path, which passes to the north of the wood.

Sporting rights: These are owned and included with the land.

Access: A locked gateway leads off a quiet country lane along a solid track, where there is a full right of way (suitable for most cars) to the woodland entrance, leading to internal paths, clearings and a timber stacking area and vehicle turning point.

The purchasers of the woodland will be asked to enter into a covenant