Exciting News from the Fallen Oak Hide!
We’re delighted to share some wonderful news! After months of hard work, patience and careful adaptations, we’re now welcoming daily visits from our local buzzards at the Fallen Oak Hide.
It’s incredibly rewarding to see our efforts paying off, with these magnificent birds now visiting regularly to feed. Establishing a reliable feeding routine, as well as adapting the structure of the hide itself, has taken time and perseverance, making this a particularly exciting milestone for us.
We look forward to many more visits and the opportunity to observe these impressive birds of prey up close, offering our visitors some truly memorable wildlife-watching and photography opportunities.
The wait has been worth it, and we’re thrilled to see the Fallen Oak Hide becoming a regular destination for our buzzards.
We are taking bookings for The Fallen Oak from 30/10/26, with the added peace of mind that should you not have a buzzard visit during your full day session, we will invite you back free of charge!*
*Please note that this is a full day session, beginning before dawn. To ensure that the buzzards continue to visit, we must ask that you do not leave the hide during your session, except in an emergency. If you decide to cut your visit short, this will void the return visit guarantee in the event of a no-show.
Tucked away on the edge of ancient woodland within the stunning grounds of Melmerby Hall, part of the prestigious Rowley Estates, The Fallen Oak Hide offers a peaceful and rewarding photography experience in the heart of Cumbria. From this well-equipped and thoughtfully-positioned hide, you can photograph a range of woodland and garden birds throughout the seasons — from curious robins and blue tits to visiting finches, nuthatches, and great spotted woodpeckers. Overhead, buzzards frequently and other birds of prey have been spotted and heard from the hide, adding an exciting sense of anticipation to each visit. Deer are also regular visitors, particularly in the quieter hours. Inside the hide, you’ll find comfortable recliner chairs, allowing you to settle in for extended sessions in complete comfort — perfect for those quiet moments when patience pays off. 4 well-positioned viewing windows offer flexible shooting angles and natural light throughout the day. The Fallen Oak is ideal for photographers of all levels — whether you’re perfecting your first shots or refining your fieldcraft and lighting skills. Optional one-to-one or small group tuition is available, covering everything from camera setup and composition to ethical wildlife photography techniques. So come and enjoy the stillness of the woodland, the rhythm of bird activity, and the chance to capture truly authentic wildlife moments — all from the comfort and concealment of the Fallen Oak Hide.
At The Fallen Oak, amenities include:
Comfortable recliner chairs
Camera beanbags
Gimbal
Motorised Video Slider
Tea/coffee making facilities
Coat hooks
Accessibility - Access to the hide is via a 75 metre rough track and then 100 metres across a field. Both of these are relatively flat but can be slippy and uneven. The field is unsuitable for wheelchairs or walking frames due to the boggy nature of the land. Good outdoor footwear is recommended.
