Rannerdale

Situated between Buttermere and Crummock Water lies Rannerdale Knotts. It has everything you could wish for in a Lake District fell - panoramic views as well as peace and quiet that is often difficult to find these days - plus a picturesque 'secret' valley. It needs special care at bluebell time, please play your part in looking after this beautiful display and stick to the paths.
One of three abandonned villages
Rannerdale (the sheiling at the pass of the raven in old Norse) was once the site of a settlement that shows continuous habitation from stone-age times up to medieval times, when it was abandoned. Two other settlements in the valley were abandoned at the same time, one at Scales, near Scale Force, and one at Peele Place.
A very special bluebell collection
Today the valley needs special care at bluebell time. Rannerdale’s bluebells are renowned as a natural wonder, beloved of visitors and photographers; however, they are being ‘loved to death’. Bluebells are slow growing; if their leaves are crushed by trampling they cannot photosynthesise the energy they need and it can take plants years to recover.
They exist as they do, in part, because of the sensitive management by our amazing farm tenants over many generations who are keen conservationists and farm with nature. Over the past 10 years we have seen more and more visitors come to view the bluebells, unfortunately the increased footfall has resulted in many plants being crushed underfoot and we’ve seen a dramatic loss of plants throughout the valley.

Visiting the blubells
We want everyone to be able to enjoy the bluebells for generations to come and we may need to restrict access to certain vulnerable parts of the valley at times but we will make sure it is always open for responsible visits. By sticking to the paths you are ensuring the spectacle will be there for future generations.
We use hand made oak posts which are rather randomly shaped, to mark out the footpaths in bluebell season, these are from a nearby woodland as part of our ongoing woodland management plans. We believe this is sympathetic to the site and may resemble what was there generations ago when the valley was inhabited - signs of human settlement can still be seen through the valley.
Bluebells can also be seen at our neighbouring woodlands, which have a fantastic showing of flowers, and some believe they are better viewed in the dappled woodland light of their natural environment.
" We are asking people to fight the urge to ‘get in’ amongst these flowers and simply stick to the path. On average, and by my estimation, each time a person steps on the bluebells they crush seven to 10 plants. Let’s all be responsible for protecting the wildlife and the landscape for future generations"
Why are the Rannerdale Bluebells important?
Over half the world’s populations of these iconic wildflowers grow in the UK. At Rannerdale they are an indicator of an ancient woodland which once occupied the valley. Bluebells are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. If you dig up a wild bluebell you can be heavily fined. Folklore tells us that If you pick a wild bluebell, you will be led astray by fairies, and lost forever.
How long does it take for a bluebell to grow?
It takes several years for a native bluebell seed to grow into a bulb and subsequently flower. Ants help to spread bluebell seeds, so if you live near a bluebell wood you may find them popping up in your garden. Bees enjoy bluebell’s pollen and nectar. Sometimes they ‘steal’ it by biting a hole in the top of the flower, you might spot this on your walk.
We work closely with our farm tenant to ensure sheep are removed well before flowering season. Our ranger teams spend time making the boundary wall stockproof but some resilient woolies still get in, although they cause very little trampling damage in comparison with human feet.