Dodd Wood and St Bega’s Church

This is a short circular walk that starts at the Mirehouse estate by Dodd Wood and takes you to the ancient church of St Bega on the shore of Lake Bassenthwaite. It is believed that this church inspired Lord Alfred Tennyson when he wrote Morte D’Arthur during a stay at Mirehouse. The walk finishes with a low level stroll through Dodd Wood, home to red squirrels and osprey.

In this guide, we have kept to the public footpath that runs through Mirehouse. However, during the summer months it is certainly worth combining the walk with a visit to the estate’s gardens, as there is an adventure playground for children and plenty of horticultural features. The walk starts at the car park for Dodd Wood, where you will find a tearoom and toilets. If you are including the gardens on your walk, you must purchase a ticket from the tea room before you start.

The Start of the Walk

The walk begins at Dodd Wood car park. This is located just off the A591 between Keswick and Bassenthwaite Village. It is clearly signposted from the road. When you arrive you will need to walk back out of the car park and cross over the A591 to the opposite side where you see the entrance to Mirehouse. Children will need close supervision here as it is a fast road.

Through Mirehouse Estate

After you have crossed, turn left to go past the main entrance to Mirehouse (unless you are including a visit to the gardens on this walk) and a few metres beyond the main entrance you will see a gate and a signpost denoting a public right of way. Go through this gate and follow the track that leads alongside the gardens. When you reach the buildings, turn left (signposted for car park) and continue along the track.

The Crossroads

The track continues to wind through the estate, and during the spring you will see plenty of colourful flowers here. You will then come to a crossroads, and will need to go straight over to continue on the route. This path leads alongside a stream, and finishes at a gate where there is a warning sign to keep dogs on leads due to grazing animals.

Through the Field

Go through the gate, taking care to shut it behind you. Those who have tickets to explore the gardens can turn left here and walk through some woodland to the shore of Bassenthwaite. Alternatively, for this route, go straight ahead, following the grassy path through the field. It can be muddy here during wet weather. You will see the church ahead, as well as the lake.

St Bega’s Church

Just before the church, the path forks in two. The left fork will lead you to the church gate. The church is open at all times and was constructed some time before the Norman conquest. Both Wordsworth and Tennyson have visited the church, perhaps drawn to its tranquil setting. At this point in the walk you can choose to turn back, and if you have tickets for Mirehouse, continue your exploration of the grounds. Alternatively, for a circular route that takes in part of Dodd Wood, go back to the fork in the path and take the other fork over the small bridge. This takes you onto the track that provides vehicle access to the church.

Two Gates

The track winds up a gentle hill. You will then come to a large gate that you will need to pass through, remembering to close it behind you. The track then continues alongside a field wall, across to the other side of the field, where you will find another gate. Go through this gate and you will be on a narrow country lane. Turn right here.

Dodd Wood

Follow this road for approximately ¼ of a mile until it joins the A591. You will need to cross over the A591 here, with young children being closely supervised. On the other side of the road, you will see a signpost and, just left of the signpost, there is a small path leading into the woods. Take this path, and after a few metres, it splits. Turn right here.

Return to the Car Park

The path leads through the woodland, largely following the road. You will come to a crossroads in the path, where you will need to continue straight on (as indicated by a yellow way marker). At this crossroads, if you look left, you will see a selection of beehives. The path then drops down into a small layby just off the road, with a sign indicating it is for coach parking.

Continue straight through the layby, and re-join the path at the other side. There is a barrier preventing cars going up here, but plenty of room for pushchairs. Just beyond the barrier, you will see a turning on the right and a trail waymark post. Turn here, and this takes you back to the cafe in the car park where you began.