Garrigill road verges are some of the best examples of flower-rich verges in the North Pennines AONB, supporting traditional upland hay meadow plants, such as melancholy thistle, as well as sneezewort, knapweed and wild raspberry.  

Seasonal highlights

Small areas of damp woodland support blotch-winged hoverflies in spring, black snipeflies in summer and European harvestmen during autumn. The flower-rich grassland is bursting with insects, from meadow cranesbill weevils, to common flower bugs and small copper butterflies. Gypsy cuckoo-bees parasitise white-tailed bumblebees along the verge, while moths include the delicate pale straw pearl.

• Car parking: lay-by, Garrigill, Cumbria, CA9 3DR
• Grid reference: NY 74276 41923
• Survey route length: 0.4 miles
• Terrain: the route follows a tarmacked road and is a steep incline along its length.