National nature reserves in England were established by English Nature, now Natural England, which manages them either directly or through non-governmental organisations such as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds or the National Trust.
There are 25 national nature reserves in Cumbria, including the large Moor House-Upper Teesdale reserve which is shared with County Durham.
All national nature reserves include all or part of a named Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Moor House-Upper Teesdale is also a Biosphere reserve.
Types of habitat
- Wetlands
A number of the reserves are bogs (often called "moss" in local dialect), a type of habit which the European Union is keen to protect.
Bassenthwaite Lake, one of the largest lakes in the English Lake District, is a habitat for the Osprey.
- Limestone pavements
Whitbarrow and Park Wood are limestone habitats.
List
- Bassenthwaite Lake
- Blelham Bog
- Gowk Bank