• Contact us
  • About us
  • Digital edition
  • Online archive
Thursday, June 5, 2025
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald
  • News
    Appleby Horse Fair: Several cases of animal cruelty

    Appleby Horse Fair: Several cases of animal cruelty

    Multiple fire crews tackle roof fire in Crosby Ravensworth

    Multiple fire crews tackle roof fire in Crosby Ravensworth

    Free domestic abuse support drop-in service launches in Penrith

    Free domestic abuse support drop-in service launches in Penrith

    Penrith bar relaunched with vibrant events planned

    Penrith bar relaunched with vibrant events planned

    Penrith Beacon access closed after vandalism

    Penrith Beacon access closed after vandalism

    Fire crews spend six hours tackling blaze at timber firm’s headquarters

    Fire crews spend six hours tackling blaze at timber firm’s headquarters

    £15 million luxury care home plans for Penrith

    £15 million luxury care home plans for Penrith

    Changes to business rates

    Changes to business rates

    Tesco Express opens doors in Penrith

    Tesco Express opens doors in Penrith

  • Sport
    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

    Lucy plays key role in county T20 triumph

    Lucy plays key role in county T20 triumph

    Gold for Keith in annual festival of orienteering

    Gold for Keith in annual festival of orienteering

    Cumberland and Westmorland wrestlers head to European championships

    Cumberland and Westmorland wrestlers head to European championships

    Kirkby Stephen Hockey Club win league title

    Kirkby Stephen Hockey Club win league title

  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Online archive
  • Buy Photos
  • Buy your paper
  • North Lakes Living
No Result
View All Result
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald
  • News
    Appleby Horse Fair: Several cases of animal cruelty

    Appleby Horse Fair: Several cases of animal cruelty

    Multiple fire crews tackle roof fire in Crosby Ravensworth

    Multiple fire crews tackle roof fire in Crosby Ravensworth

    Free domestic abuse support drop-in service launches in Penrith

    Free domestic abuse support drop-in service launches in Penrith

    Penrith bar relaunched with vibrant events planned

    Penrith bar relaunched with vibrant events planned

    Penrith Beacon access closed after vandalism

    Penrith Beacon access closed after vandalism

    Fire crews spend six hours tackling blaze at timber firm’s headquarters

    Fire crews spend six hours tackling blaze at timber firm’s headquarters

    £15 million luxury care home plans for Penrith

    £15 million luxury care home plans for Penrith

    Changes to business rates

    Changes to business rates

    Tesco Express opens doors in Penrith

    Tesco Express opens doors in Penrith

  • Sport
    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    Penrith gymnasts represent North of England in finals

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    New boss revealed for Penrith AFC

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Penrith Panthers celebrate winning season

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

    Darren Edmondson leaves Penrith AFC

    Lucy plays key role in county T20 triumph

    Lucy plays key role in county T20 triumph

    Gold for Keith in annual festival of orienteering

    Gold for Keith in annual festival of orienteering

    Cumberland and Westmorland wrestlers head to European championships

    Cumberland and Westmorland wrestlers head to European championships

    Kirkby Stephen Hockey Club win league title

    Kirkby Stephen Hockey Club win league title

  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Online archive
  • Buy Photos
  • Buy your paper
  • North Lakes Living
No Result
View All Result
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald
No Result
View All Result
Home Latest

Penrith Beacon access closed after vandalism

by Rob Sutton
30 May 2025
in Latest, News
A A
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
The damaged wall at Beacon forest.

A well-used access route into Penrith’s Beacon forest is to be closed off after being vandalised by bikers.

Stones were dragged from a wall close to the Roundthorn Hotel, to widen a gap for motorbike access, and landowners Lowther Estates say that fires had also been lit in the forest, with the potential to cause untold destruction.

A notice was erected at the access point this week by Lowther Estate, saying it regrets that the wall gap previously used without authorisation to access the Beacon will now be repaired and closed.

“This action has been taken to protect the Beacon from damage caused by repeated and deliberate misuse, which has increased significantly in 2025.

“The damage undertaken to widen the gap and allow access for motorised and mountain bikes, particularly over the past few weeks, has left us with no alternative, but to take this step,” the notice says.

Damage was also said to have been caused by increased instances of unauthorised barbecues and camp fires, some of which have led to wildfires, creating a significant strain on local fire and police services.

In response to the notice, a spokeswoman for the Friends of Penrith Beacon said: “We have always felt grateful to Lowther Estates that we have been able to access this wild and beautiful forest and we appreciate the rich variety of species to be found there.

“We are, therefore, deeply saddened to learn that a few individuals have abused this privilege and caused damage to the forest. So we have asked our supporters to spread the word that the Beacon is a precious area to be protected and respected.

“We understand why Lowther Estates has felt it necessary to post this notice, but hope a resolution can be found so the vast majority of responsible users can continue to enjoy the forest now and in the future.”

Patricia Bell, a Westmorland and Furness councillor for Penrith, said: “It is shocking that people have damaged the forest in that way, and totally unacceptable.

“To light a fire in a forest, especially after all the dry weather we have had, is unbelievable. I am sure people are just not stopping to think about what might happen.”

Forestry and conservation manager Kelvin Archer told the Herald that Lowther received a report from a member of the public who had watched as the gap in the wall was widened to make it easier for mountain and motorised bikes to get access.

“There are two main issues with this change to the access,” said Kelvin.

“Beacon Forest contains fine examples of woodland and priority heathland habitat and we are very keen to preserve this. Because of the bikes and the number which are now going over this land, damage has been caused to these special and rare habitats.

“Not only that, but there has been a large number of unauthorised barbecues and camp fires — some of which have led to wildfires. Obviously wildfires are a danger not only to the woodland but also to the public at large.

“Moreover, we now find the Beacon littered with mountain bike jumps. Members of the public who are not on bikes are at risk of injury by those who are going over obstacles at speed. The issue is the enlargement of the gap in the wall on the Roundthorn Hotel side. We simply wish to protect the woodland and to make sure that nobody comes to any harm.

“There is still a permissive footpath from Beacon Edge and there are no plans to stop access to the Beacon monument.

“We are very much hoping that the public will work with us to protect this wonderful place,” he added.

The Herald understands that work to close the gap in the wall could start as early as next week.

Tags: premium

Related Posts

Appleby Horse Fair: Several cases of animal cruelty
Latest

Appleby Horse Fair: Several cases of animal cruelty

5 June 2025
Multiple fire crews tackle roof fire in Crosby Ravensworth
Latest

Multiple fire crews tackle roof fire in Crosby Ravensworth

30 May 2025
Free domestic abuse support drop-in service launches in Penrith
News

Free domestic abuse support drop-in service launches in Penrith

30 May 2025
Penrith bar relaunched with vibrant events planned
Food and Drink

Penrith bar relaunched with vibrant events planned

30 May 2025
Fire crews spend six hours tackling blaze at timber firm’s headquarters
Latest

Fire crews spend six hours tackling blaze at timber firm’s headquarters

29 May 2025
£15 million luxury care home plans for Penrith
Latest

£15 million luxury care home plans for Penrith

26 May 2025
No Result
View All Result

Stay connected

Facebook Twitter Instagram

Most popular

Free domestic abuse support drop-in service launches in Penrith

Free domestic abuse support drop-in service launches in Penrith

30 May 2025
Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

Penrith teen crowned British vault champion

30 May 2025
Sheep showing season begins

Sheep showing season begins

30 May 2025
Penrith bar relaunched with vibrant events planned

Penrith bar relaunched with vibrant events planned

30 May 2025
Penrith Beacon access closed after vandalism

Penrith Beacon access closed after vandalism

30 May 2025
Multiple fire crews tackle roof fire in Crosby Ravensworth

Multiple fire crews tackle roof fire in Crosby Ravensworth

30 May 2025
Cumberland and Westmorland Herald Logo

33 Middlegate
Penrith
Cumbria
CA11 7SY

Phone: 01768 862313
Email: news@cwherald.com

Registered in England as Barrnon Media Limited. No: 12475190
VAT registration number: 343486488

Explore

  • News
  • Sport
  • Farming
  • Property
  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Your view

Useful links

  • Contact us
  • Photosales
  • Online archive
  • Buy your paper
  • Digital edition
  • North Lakes Living
  • Advertise
  • About us

Follow us on

© Barrnon Media Limited 2025

Terms & Conditions / Privacy Policy / Cookie Policy

This website and its associated newspaper are members of the Independent Press Standards Organisation
IPSO Logo
Review Your Cart
0
Discount
Add Coupon Code
Subtotal
Total Installment Payments
Bundle Discount
Checkout

 
0
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Sport
  • Obituaries
  • Nostalgia
  • Online archive
  • more
    • North Lakes Living
    • Buy Photos
    • Buy your paper
    • About us
    • Contact us

© 2020 Cumberland & Westmorland Herald