Windermere to Waterhead via Holehird

Take a leisurely walk from Windermere to Waterhead, visiting impressive gardens along the way then return by bus, writes JOHN EDMONDSON. This innovative walk visits the delightful gardens of Holehird and Stagshaw, affords impressive views over Windermere and offers a stop at a quaint tearoom along the way.

Start near the Windermere Hotel (map reference SD 412 987 postcode LA23 1AL).

Information:

Distance: 7 miles, ascent: 800-feet

Time: 3-4 hours

Terrain: grassy paths, stony tracks and short sections of roadside pavement.

Map: OS Explorer OL7

Route

1 From the lower entrance of Windermere Hotel walk along the lane signed Footpath to Orrest Head. Take the first turning left signed A592 Troutbeck Road and continue along the footpath towards Kirkstone Road. Bear right on a path into High Hay Wood then right again to walk along the edge of the wood and through a kissing gate into a field. Follow the track to a kissing gate below the wood and walk beside a wall on the left along the path signed Crosses Farm. At the road turn left, pass Crosses Cottage then turn right onto the footpath signed Troutbeck. Go through two gates, keeping to the right of a wall then onto a grassy track leading to Far Orrest farm. To visit Holehird Gardens turn left onto a tarmacked lane, over a cattle grid then left to a stile and gate in the bottom corner of the field. The beautiful 12-acre gardens are kept immaculate by enthusiastic volunteers of the Lakeland Horticultural Society and are open from dawn to dusk throughout the year. There is no admission charge but a donation of £4 per adult is suggested.

2 Return to Far Orrest Farm and take the the path signed Near Orrest. Turn left on the path for Garburn and Troutbeck. Turn right on the road then left onto the public bridleway called Longmire Road. Where the track enters a wooded area bear left to cross a small beck and go through a gate with steps below. Head diagonally downhill to the opposite corner of the field. Go over a wall stile and ahead to woods below, through a gateway and along a wall on the left to a gate in the corner. Turn left and descend a stony track to the A592, which you should cross with care. Walk to the right along the pavement, over a footbridge, cross the road to Troutbeck then turn left onto the path to Jesus Church. Continue past the church entrance and leave the graveyard through a lych gate. Turn left onto a path, crossing a beck and ascend along an enclosed path. The path passes High Fold guest house before meeting the Troutbeck village road. Turn left to the area regarded as the centre of this elongated village and where the quaint Old Post Office tearoom is situated.

3 Turn right and walk uphill along Robin Lane. Bear left onto a track signed Skellghyll and Jenkin Crag. The path descends to a gate and meets Skelghyll Lane. Turn right to cross the bridge then left onto a footpath signed Low Wood Hotel. Follow a grassy track downhill, turning right over a stile and through a gateway on the left then through a wicket gate with steep steps below. On meeting the A591 near the hotel cross the road with care, turn right and walk along the pavement by the side of Windermere. After passing The Samling and rounding a left bend cross the road to a gap on the left of a wide wooden slatted gate and ascend a stony track through Thief Fold Wood. Walk alongside a wall on the left to meet a track directly opposite Stagshaw Gardens. Wander around the rambling paths of this informal woodland and enjoy its charming combination of shrubs, trees and plants.

4 Descend the lane to a crossing of tracks beside a barn. Turn right and follow a footpath to meet the A591 opposite Waterhead Marine. Cross the road and turn right for Waterhead, where there is a bus stop for the return journey just beyond the traffic lights.

NB: Restrictions on space mean that this article provides a general summary of the route. It is advisable for anyone who plans to follow the walk to take a copy of the relevant Ordnance Survey map.