The wood is comprised of a good mix of native broadleafs, mainly birch, alder, rowan and willow and is complemented by the occasional self-seeded conifer from the historic plantation. Understorey species such as holly and hawthorn are also found dispersed throughout the wood.

Beneath the trees is a mix of bracken and ferns with many native wildflowers including bugle, sorrel and foxglove which can easily be spotted amongst the dappled woodland floor.

Wildlife in the area is many and varied; buzzards are frequently seen wheeling overhead, and there are also occasional sightings of red kites that were successfully released at Grizedale. Both red and roe deer inhabit the area with prints and other evidence of their presence visible to the keen observer. It may also be possible to discover an adder basking on a sunny bank. The presence of this reptile is a good indication of a healthy wildlife habitat. Holes amongst rocks and the occasional pile of dead wood provide excellent habitat for invertebrates, making great homes and hiding places.

From both the south western stone wall boundary, and the highest point in the wood, views extend outwards across Lake Windermere and as far as Ravenscar to the north and Gummers How, a little further out towards the northeast.

Garthill wood benefits from a large wooden camping platform which boasts views towards the nearby Lakeland fells.

Access: Is via Hazelrigg Lane through Canny Hill from the A590(T). There is a communal hard-standing area for parking just at the shared entrance. Garthill Wood is accessed via the shared woodland track which leads off from the left side of the hard-standing area. This is a fair trek and climbs steeply in places. Look out for the track leading off to the left, follow this for a short distance, Garthill is on the right with turquoise markings, the ridestop and sign are easily visible. Through the ridestop, the track leads onto the open areas.

Currently, timber extraction is in progress in adjacent woods with the associated impact on the shared track the responsibility of those woodland owners.

The sporting rights are owned and included in the sale.

There is easy vehicle access into the woodland with plenty of open space for parking, camping and enjoying woodland activities. From this spacious open area, a network of grassy rides makes access easy throughout the wood.

The Area: With Lakeland fells to the north and Morecambe Bay to the south, Garthill Wood is perfectly located for exploring all that the Lake District National Park has to offer. Whether sightseeing in a vehicle or taking to the fells on foot, the list of things to do is endless. Windermere cruises run from Bowness, Ambleside and Lakeside which are all close at hand. There is plenty of B+B and camping accommodation in the local area.

Now part of the National Park the area was once teeming with industry. The nearby Dolly blue factory, now a popular hotel, and the Stott Park bobbin mill are a mere fraction of what once was. The coppiced woodland of south Lakeland was a valuable resource, supplying the Lancashire textile mills with numerous consumables.