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Red squirrel in Garsdale woodland

Red Squirrels in Garsdale

If you are looking for a holiday cottage where you can see red squirrels, Garsdale is one of the best places in England to base yourself. While greys have displaced reds across most of the country, the dales around Sedbergh, Garsdale and the Upper Eden valley remain a stronghold where reds continue to thrive, and guests at our three cottages regularly spot them from the garden and on the woodland paths nearby. The dale sits between Sedbergh and Hawes in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, and its coniferous woodland, quiet riverbanks and careful conservation work have all helped the local population survive. Red squirrels are wild animals, so sightings can never be guaranteed, but guests staying at Garsdale Cottages regularly report them beside the woodland paths, near the River Clough and, occasionally, from the cottage gardens. Early morning and late afternoon usually provide the best opportunities.

Why Garsdale Matters

The red squirrel population across England has fallen dramatically over the past century, largely because of squirrelpox, a disease carried by the grey squirrel, which was introduced from North America around 1900. Fewer than 30,000 red squirrels are thought to survive in England today, and most of those are in the north. Garsdale sits within what conservationists call a core area for red squirrels, sometimes referred to as the Greenfields Stronghold. The combination of suitable woodland habitat, active grey squirrel control, and dedicated local volunteers has helped the reds maintain their presence here. Recent monitoring suggests their range in the Yorkshire Dales may even be expanding. The reds thrive in the coniferous woodland areas along the valley sides. Grey squirrels tend to favour broadleaf and deciduous woodland along the river corridor, so the two species occupy somewhat different habitats in the dale. Habitat loss from forestry clear felling is an additional threat beyond the greys themselves.

A red squirrel perched on the roof of a wooden feeder box, with green Dales hillside behind

Seeing Red Squirrels

Guests at our cottages regularly spot red squirrels. The path beside Dandra Garth that leads into the woodland is a reliable place to look, as are the riverbanks opposite Dandra Garth and below Roger Pot. Red squirrels occasionally visit the cottage gardens too, and they seem to enjoy the nuts and seeds in the bird feeders. The best times to see them are early morning and late afternoon, when they are most active. They are smaller and more agile than greys, with distinctive ear tufts and bushy red-brown tails. In winter, their ear tufts become more prominent and their coats can look quite dark.

Woodland Near Dandra Garth

The path beside Dandra Garth leads towards woodland used by the local red squirrel population. Move quietly, pause regularly and watch the branches rather than concentrating only on the ground - a flicking tail or movement between neighbouring trees may be the first sign that a squirrel is nearby. The woodland edge is also home to numerous birds and other mammals, and our guide to wildlife in Garsdale covers some of the other species you may meet during a walk through the valley.

A red squirrel on a mossy dry-stone wall, peering over the edge beside a pink-flowering shrub in spring

Riverbanks Below Roger Pot

Red squirrels have been spotted on the riverbanks opposite Dandra Garth and below Roger Pot. Trees and hedgerows beside the River Clough create natural routes between feeding and nesting areas, so Roger Pot is particularly well placed for visitors hoping to spend time watching wildlife without making a special journey. A patient observer may see squirrels moving between the river corridor, nearby woodland and cottage gardens, and otters, dippers, herons and roe deer also use parts of the surrounding landscape.

A distant view of stone cottages with solar panels, including Roger Pot, among green Garsdale hillsides with grazing ponies
Roger Pot sits a short walk from the riverbank

Grisedale and Reachey

Reachey in Grisedale is another known location for red squirrel activity. This secluded side valley lies close to Garsdale and contains woodland, old farmsteads and open fell scenery, and its quiet character makes it well suited to slow walks where wildlife watching is part of the day rather than a hurried stop. Conditions underfoot can vary, particularly following rain, so suitable boots and outdoor clothing are recommended. Read more about the landscape, history and walking possibilities on our page about Grisedale.

An elevated view over the green Grisedale valley with dry-stone walls, a winding stream and fells under a cloudy sky

Garsdale Head and the Railway Cottages

Red squirrels are regularly reported around the Railway Cottages at Garsdale Head, where the mixture of mature trees, railway embankments and nearby woodland provides useful habitat and sheltered routes through the upper dale. A visit can be combined with time at Garsdale Station, one of the more remote stations on the Settle-Carlisle line. The station is also home to the bronze statue of Ruswarp, the loyal Border Collie whose story is closely connected with the campaign to save the railway - you can read the full account on our Ruswarp and the Settle-Carlisle page.

Garsdale Station on the Settle-Carlisle line at Garsdale Head

They regularly cross the main road at Banks, The Street, The Firs and Whitbeck, so please drive carefully where warning notices are posted, reduce your speed and avoid stopping where a parked vehicle could hold up local traffic. Road traffic is one of the main threats to the local population, and driving carefully through the dale is one of the simplest ways visitors can help protect them.

Other Local Sighting Areas

Red squirrels are regularly seen at numerous spots along the dale, including Reachey in Grisedale, Mudbecks, the Railway Cottages at Garsdale Head, Banks, East Littletown, Paradise, Dandra Garth, Coat Weggs, The Hive, The Firs, Rackenthwaite, Fold Gill, Whitbeck and Nether House. These are small rural places rather than formal visitor attractions, and some of the surrounding land is privately owned, so please remain on public paths, close gates, keep dogs under control and avoid entering gardens, farmyards or fields without permission. Our collection of walks in and around Garsdale can help you choose suitable routes through the local countryside.

Snaizeholme Red Squirrel Trail Near Hawes

The Snaizeholme Red Squirrel Trail near Hawes is one of seventeen designated Red Squirrel Refuges in northern England. The woodland is managed as a red squirrel refuge with feeding stations, viewing areas and hides, making it a reliable place to see reds if you want the closest thing to a guaranteed sighting, although the squirrels themselves still decide when to appear. Snaizeholme is about a twenty-minute drive from Garsdale, and the trip combines well with a visit to Hawes, the Dales Countryside Museum or the Wensleydale Creamery Visitor Centre.

A red squirrel at Snaizeholme, the red squirrel refuge near Hawes

When to Look for Red Squirrels

Sightings are never guaranteed, but the odds improve a good deal if you go out at the right time of day and know what you are looking at.

  • Early and Late

    Red squirrels are generally most active shortly after dawn and again later in the afternoon. A calm, dry day may make it easier to hear and see movement in the trees.

  • Telling Reds from Greys

    Their coats range from bright orange-red to deep brown, while their pale undersides, bushy tails and small size help distinguish them from grey squirrels. Ear tufts are often particularly noticeable during winter.

  • Watching Without Disturbing

    Binoculars are useful, even at fairly short distances. Avoid approaching or surrounding a squirrel for a photograph. Watching quietly from one position is less disruptive and often produces a longer sighting.

Local Sighting Records

The archived Garsdale community website kept a dedicated red squirrel sightings page, recording individual places where reds had been seen across Garsdale and Grisedale. Those records are useful because they show that the population has not been limited to one garden or one woodland: sightings were spread from Reachey and Mudbecks through the middle of the dale to the Railway Cottages at Garsdale Head. The same archive noted regular road crossings at Banks, The Street, The Firs and Whitbeck. That local detail is one reason we ask guests to take the red squirrel warning signs seriously and to report notable sightings to the current local red squirrel group.

Protecting Garsdale's Red Squirrels

Garsdale's red squirrels survive because suitable habitat is combined with monitoring and practical conservation work. Visitors can support these efforts by driving slowly, taking litter home, keeping dogs under close control and reporting sick or dead squirrels to an appropriate local conservation group. Grey squirrels can carry squirrelpox without appearing ill, while the same disease is frequently fatal to reds, so never move squirrel feeders, nest boxes or potentially contaminated equipment between different woodland areas.

Squirrelpox

Greys can carry it without appearing ill, and it is frequently fatal to reds - so never move feeders or nest boxes between woodlands

A Core Area for Reds

Garsdale sits within what conservationists call a core area for red squirrels, sometimes referred to as the Greenfields Stronghold. Fewer than 30,000 red squirrels are thought to survive in England today, and most of those are in the north. The combination of suitable coniferous woodland, active grey squirrel control and dedicated local volunteers has helped the reds hold on here, and recent monitoring suggests their range in the Yorkshire Dales may even be expanding.

Under 30,000

Red squirrels thought to survive in England today, most of them in the north

Conservation Efforts

The Garsdale Red Squirrel Group was launched in November 2014 and quickly grew to 38 local members. The work to protect the dale's red squirrels involves a network of local volunteer groups who monitor the population, maintain feeding stations and nest boxes, and carry out grey squirrel control. This grassroots effort accounts for a huge proportion of the conservation work across northern England. Red Squirrels Northern England (rsne.org) coordinates the broader strategy, working with volunteer groups, landowners and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. The Sedbergh Red Squirrels (sedberghredsquirrels.org.uk) group covers the local area.

A red squirrel sitting on a mossy stone wall eating seeds in a lush green garden

Make Wildlife Part of Your Stay

Red squirrel watching can be combined with birdwatching, riverside walks, railway journeys and visits to the geological and historic sites of the Yorkshire Dales - browse our things to do and bird-watching properties pages for more ideas. Roger Pot, The Old Cart House and Farrier's Cottage all provide a peaceful base in Garsdale, with local wildlife habitats close at hand. Directions and travel information are available on our Getting Here page, while the local map can help you understand the layout of the dale before setting out.

Holiday Cottages for Red Squirrel Spotting

All three of our Garsdale holiday cottages put you right in the heart of red squirrel country. Bird feeders in the gardens draw the reds in for nuts and seeds, and the woodland paths and riverbanks a short walk from each cottage are among the most reliable places in the dale to see them. Early morning and late afternoon, cup of tea in hand, you stand a real chance of a sighting without leaving the doorstep.

References