In the Independent on Sunday published on 18th July 2010, Smardale Gill was picked out as one of Britain's best nature reserves. The article describes the reserve as a 'hidden, wooded valley which includes old trackbed and viaduct of the Tebay-Darlington railway. There are red squirrels and ravens here, and rare butterflies including the northern brown argus, dark green fritillary and Scotch argus – one of only two English sites where it is found.'
See the article on the IoS website