Rusland Moss National Nature Reserve

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Overview

The Rusland Moss NNR lies at the head of the Rusland Valley in the south of the Lake District National Park, between Coniston Water and Windermere. It is the northernmost part of one of the few remaining raised mires (peat bogs) in the country. Though it has suffered in the past from damage by drainage and peat-cutting, the reserve retains sphagnum-based peat-forming vegetation with its associated plant life, and there is some surrounding fenland. Sphagnum bog mosses dominate the uncut areas of the Moss, with purple moor grass in the cut areas and fen and carr woodland at the edges. Past drainage enabled trees and rhododendron to colonise the Moss, and they are currently being removed from the mire expanse to allow the peat-forming vegetation to recover. Rare invertebrates and insects found on the reserve include the large heath butterfly and the money spider.

Location

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About the area

Cumbria's rugged yet beautiful landscape is best known for the Lake District National Park that sits within its boundaries. It’s famous for Lake Windermere, England’s largest lake, and Derwent Water, ‘Queen of the English Lakes', but other lesser-known areas in the south, such as the Lune Valley and the coastal towns, are secret gems of wide cobbled streets and rolling hills.

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Rusland Moss National Nature Reserve

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01539 724555

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Rusland Moss National Nature Reserve

Recommended by

Overview

The Rusland Moss NNR lies at the head of the Rusland Valley in the south of the Lake District National Park, between Coniston Water and Windermere. It is the northernmost part of one of the few remaining raised mires (peat bogs) in the country. Though it has suffered in the past from damage by drainage and peat-cutting, the reserve retains sphagnum-based peat-forming vegetation with its associated plant life, and there is some surrounding fenland. Sphagnum bog mosses dominate the uncut areas of the Moss, with purple moor grass in the cut areas and fen and carr woodland at the edges. Past drainage enabled trees and rhododendron to colonise the Moss, and they are currently being removed from the mire expanse to allow the peat-forming vegetation to recover. Rare invertebrates and insects found on the reserve include the large heath butterfly and the money spider.

Location

Backbarrow

About the area

Area image

Cumbria's rugged yet beautiful landscape is best known for the Lake District National Park that sits within its boundaries. It’s famous for Lake Windermere, England’s largest lake, and Derwent Water, ‘Queen of the English Lakes', but other lesser-known areas in the south, such as the Lune Valley and the coastal towns, are secret gems of wide cobbled streets and rolling hills.

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Nearby places to stay

View all (8)

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