Brockhole Visitor Centre & Townend National Trust

If your children need a little motivation to go on a walk then this walk is a great choice. Starting near the village of Troutbeck, the walk takes you along a farm track down to Brockhole, the visitor centre for the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA), where there is a huge adventure playground that was rebuilt in 2018. The route back is a little steep, but you will pass by a bluebell wood that is a treat during the spring, and you can finish up at Townend.

This National Trust farmhouse was home to the same family for 400 years and is full of curiosities, giving a fascinating insight into life in rural Cumbria in centuries past. The route is passable via an all-terrain pushchair, but you might struggle on the second leg due to the steepness of the path. That being said, there is always the option to retrace your steps on the first leg.

Parking Near Townend

Parking for this walk is available in a layby just off Holbeck Lane that runs between Townend and the A591 by Windermere. Take the A591 out of Ambleside towards Bowness. Turn left (or right if coming from Bowness) onto Holbeck Lane, signposted for Troutbeck and Townend Historic House.

The layby is around a mile and a half along the road, on the righthand side. There is a farm gate here, so do take care not to block access. The grid reference for the layby is NY404 018. Alternative parking is at Townend, the National Trust property, slightly further up the road, but this is only available during the property’s opening hours.

The Start of the Walk – Wain Lane

Once parked, head back along the lane towards the A591. After 50 metres you will see another farm gate and the start of a bridleway on the left hand side. Head down this bridleway. You are now on Wain Lane. This is an ancient route that was once used by carts bringing slate from the quarries around Troutbeck to the lake.

Although cars do not pass along here, it’s worth noting that the occasional farm quad bike may do so. The lane descends gently towards Windermere and there are good views out towards the lake. There is also a geocache hidden along this stretch that children may find appealing.

Middlerigg Tarn

The lane begins to narrow slightly as it drops down closer to Lake Windermere. Towards the end of the descent, you will come to Middlerigg Tarn. This is a private and manmade tarn (you can see the large house with its jetty on the opposite side of the tarn) but it is clearly visible from the footpath and is a lovely place to try and spot nesting birds. Continue along the path past the tarn and past a small turning on the left that leads to the house.

Joining the A591

Continue along the track and cross over a small footbridge that takes you over a small steam. You will then go past a farm building and the track begins to widen. It ends at the A591. You will need to cross over the A591 to the footpath on the other side.

The traffic here is generally slow moving but it can be busy, so do take care with young children. Once over the road, head right along the footpath, and you will see the turning for Brockhole in the distance.

Brockhole

If you prefer, you can skip Brockhole and simply continue to follow this walk as outlined in the paragraphs below. However, if you have children, fancy a boat ride, a tree top trek, or simply want to grab an ice cream, then Brockhole is certainly worth a visit.

The adventure playground here had a complete revamp in 2018 and it’s free to use with play structures to suit most ages. You can hire boats to explore the lake or try one of several outdoor activities, such as archery and high ropes courses. There are also various trails around the grounds for children, and an indoor play area if the weather is poor.

Mirk Lane

Once you have finished at Brockhole, head back out of the visitor centre through the car park. Users of all terrain pushchairs may wish to consider retracing their steps that this point. The next section would be tricky, though if your baby is small and there are two of you then it would be possible to carry the pushchair over the trickier aspects.

At the car park exit, turn right to start walking along the A591. After a few metres, use the pedestrian refuge island (with a bollard) to cross over the road and you will see a turning on your left with a bus shelter directly ahead of you. This is the start of Mirk Lane. Head up Mirk Lane, going past a number of houses.

The Steep Section

The lane winds through the houses and past a number of farm fields before it starts to rise steeply behind the back of the last house. It then narrows considerably, becoming a small path, with a way marker pointing the way as seen in the photograph.

From here there is a small, but moderately steep climb, through woodland. The path is uneven at times, which is why pushchair users may struggle. The path starts to level out again and you will now be walking with a wall along your right and a fenced off woodland on your left. This is Newclose Wood, and in the spring, it is filled with bluebells.

Diversion into Newclose Wood – A Bluebell Walk

After a short distance you will see a turning ahead of you on the left, with a waymarker. This is an alternative route for those who are perhaps seeking to extend their walk by a small amount, or who are looking for the bluebells. The path will take you through Newclose Wood where there are carpets of bluebells in the spring.

Follow the path as it leads through the wood, and then at the end of the wood you will cross through a field. On the other side of the field the path ends at Holbeck Lane. Turn right to follow the road back to your car. Alternatively, continue to follow the steps below.

Through Wood Farm

If you are not going to follow the route back through Newclose Wood and prefer a shorter route back then continue along the main path. Go through the gate and you will come to a small stream with a crossing. Go over this crossing and follow the path until it ends at a lane.

Turn left here, and follow the lane past the buildings of Wood Farm. Go past the driveway entrance on your left and continue straight. The lane zig-zags slightly upwards towards a gate. Go through the gate.

Returning to Holbeck Lane

You will now once more be on a stone path. Continue to follow the path, with a stone wall on your right. You should now have some good views of Lake Windermere over the wall. Go through a large gate and continue to follow the path. It becomes wider here and you will pass some more farm buildings and cottages along the way, before the track ends at Holbeck Lane. Turn right here to return to your car.

Townend

If there is time after your walk then you can continue along Holbeck Lane, past your car, to Townend (it’s around a five-minute walk from the layby). This farm house dates back to the 17th century and remained in the same family until it was donated to the National Trust in 1943. The family’s possessions remain in situ, including some unique carved furniture and other quirky items.

The house offers visitors the opportunity to explore rural life during the last four centuries. There is a quiz and trail for children, as well as games outside. The house is open in the mornings for guided tours only, and in the afternoons for self-guided access.