Helen’s guidebook
Walks
You can see Barrow from the side of the house and is our favourite local walk and “quick summit”.
In around 30 minutes you can be on the top with these wonderful views!
Turn right out of the gate and go through the gate to the right of the cattle grid up to the farm. Go through the farmyard, following the “footpath” sign. Through a further 2 gates ahead of you, past the “keep dogs on lead” sign, turn left after the gate and begin to climb, bear right up the path heading up the ridge and keep going until you reach the top!
You can then go onto Stile End and Outerside and come down Stoneycroft Ghyll or for a neat circular route, after the summit continue on down the path until you reach a cross roads (before the hill goes up again), take the right hand path to head back down the valley to the village.
Braithwaite
You can see Barrow from the side of the house and is our favourite local walk and “quick summit”.
In around 30 minutes you can be on the top with these wonderful views!
Turn right out of the gate and go through the gate to the right of the cattle grid up to the farm. Go through the farmyard, following the “footpath” sign. Through a further 2 gates ahead of you, past the “keep dogs on lead” sign, turn left after the gate and begin to climb, bear right up the path heading up the ridge and keep going until you reach the top!
You can then go onto Stile End and Outerside and come down Stoneycroft Ghyll or for a neat circular route, after the summit continue on down the path until you reach a cross roads (before the hill goes up again), take the right hand path to head back down the valley to the village.
If you’re feeling a bit more ambitious, then the famous Coledale Round awaits you. Often a little disputed as to which fells it incorporates you can head over Grisedale Pike, Hopegill Head, Crag Hill, Sail, Causey Pike (optional), Outerside, Stile End and Barrow.
For a good route, check out https://www.walklakes.co.uk/walk_119.html
Coledale Beck
If you’re feeling a bit more ambitious, then the famous Coledale Round awaits you. Often a little disputed as to which fells it incorporates you can head over Grisedale Pike, Hopegill Head, Crag Hill, Sail, Causey Pike (optional), Outerside, Stile End and Barrow.
For a good route, check out https://www.walklakes.co.uk/walk_119.html
A little flat(ish) walk through the woods to Thornthwaite is possible from the door. Head left out of the gate, turn left at the village shop and head up the hill, toward the Coledale Inn. Opposite the pub take the footpath downhill to the right and left up past the church towards the little footbridge over the river (spot the prayer flags fluttering in the wind). Take the footbridge and follow the path to the road. Cross the road and take the gate immediately opposite and follow the path past the Hope Memorial Camp.
You can take the steep path on the right up to a little summit if you’re feeling fit, but can equally take the path through the gate to the right of the marshy dip. Follow the paths on either route until you reach a wooden kissing gate. Follow this path to the road and turn left down the lane past the farm and campsite. You will reach the main road, take a left and follow this until you reach a gravel layby on the left, take the lane up the hill just after the layby and on through the buildings at Hall Garth. Up the hill a little and you will reach a cross roads. Right takes you along a path to Thornthwaite, continuing up takes you into Whinlatter forest (you’ll eventually meet the road) or left takes you on a pretty little forest track back to the Hope Memorial Camp.
Thornthwaite
A little flat(ish) walk through the woods to Thornthwaite is possible from the door. Head left out of the gate, turn left at the village shop and head up the hill, toward the Coledale Inn. Opposite the pub take the footpath downhill to the right and left up past the church towards the little footbridge over the river (spot the prayer flags fluttering in the wind). Take the footbridge and follow the path to the road. Cross the road and take the gate immediately opposite and follow the path past the Hope Memorial Camp.
You can take the steep path on the right up to a little summit if you’re feeling fit, but can equally take the path through the gate to the right of the marshy dip. Follow the paths on either route until you reach a wooden kissing gate. Follow this path to the road and turn left down the lane past the farm and campsite. You will reach the main road, take a left and follow this until you reach a gravel layby on the left, take the lane up the hill just after the layby and on through the buildings at Hall Garth. Up the hill a little and you will reach a cross roads. Right takes you along a path to Thornthwaite, continuing up takes you into Whinlatter forest (you’ll eventually meet the road) or left takes you on a pretty little forest track back to the Hope Memorial Camp.
Neighbourhoods
Braithwaite is a lovely example of a Lake District Village with a vibrant community. During lockdown we have been getting to know each other even more and the children of the village created a weekly newsletter for us all to enjoy – some examples of which are included in the pack in the house.
The village is situated around Coledale Beck, a brook which joins Newlands Beck shortly after passing through the village. Newlands Beck (coming from the Newlands Valley) then flows north towards Bassenthwaite Lake.
Braithwaite has a Village Shop by the Low Bridge, several pubs, including the Coledale Inn, the Royal Oak, The Ivy and the Middle Ruddings Hotel. Braithwaite is easily accessible due to its close proximity to the A66. It has a campsite with a caravan park, B + Bs, pubs and guest houses. It has a wide range of sports including sailing, climbing, abseiling, canoeing, hang-gliding, parasailing, orienteering, bird watching (For ospreys in the nearby lakes), photography and virtually any other outdoor pursuit all within four miles of the village.
Braithwaite
Braithwaite is a lovely example of a Lake District Village with a vibrant community. During lockdown we have been getting to know each other even more and the children of the village created a weekly newsletter for us all to enjoy – some examples of which are included in the pack in the house.
The village is situated around Coledale Beck, a brook which joins Newlands Beck shortly after passing through the village. Newlands Beck (coming from the Newlands Valley) then flows north towards Bassenthwaite Lake.
Braithwaite has a Village Shop by the Low Bridge, several pubs, including the Coledale Inn, the Royal Oak, The Ivy and the Middle Ruddings Hotel. Braithwaite is easily accessible due to its close proximity to the A66. It has a campsite with a caravan park, B + Bs, pubs and guest houses. It has a wide range of sports including sailing, climbing, abseiling, canoeing, hang-gliding, parasailing, orienteering, bird watching (For ospreys in the nearby lakes), photography and virtually any other outdoor pursuit all within four miles of the village.
Food scene
A great local spot, just 5 minutes from the door. A warm welcome will await anyone popping in.
8 locals recommend
Coledale Inn
A great local spot, just 5 minutes from the door. A warm welcome will await anyone popping in.
The Round
21 Main StA fab atmosphere, super cocktails and yummy burgers.
The Pheasant Inn
Crosthwaite RoadA fab pub with great food. Always busy, so please book!
Mary Mount Hotel
A great favourite of the locals
Must dos
A local favourite for the world famous gingerbread! Be prepared to queue, but it's worth it!
31 locals recommend
The Grasmere Gingerbread Shop
College StreetA local favourite for the world famous gingerbread! Be prepared to queue, but it's worth it!
Wind your way up Honister Pass (made even more famous by The A Word) and take a trip down the mines, or traverse the Via Ferrata is you dare!
75 locals recommend
Honister Slate Mine
Honister PassWind your way up Honister Pass (made even more famous by The A Word) and take a trip down the mines, or traverse the Via Ferrata is you dare!
Traveler advice
Getting around
The bus stop is 5 minutes walk from the house.
Bus – the bus stop is a 5 minute walk from Laburnum House, turn left out of the gate, head past the village shop and over the bridge, take the next right – at the end of this road you will see the bus stop opposite, next to the Hobcarton Café.
Please visit www.stagecoachbus.com for more info on up to date timetables.
Keswick – 8 minutes
Cockermouth – 22 minutes
Seatoller – 44 minutes
Windermere – 1hr 40 minutes
Taxi –
Iains Taxis - 017687 36333
Davies Taxis - 017687 72676
Derwent Taxis - 017687 75585
DNK Taxis - 017687 74959
Getting around
Please check car parks before heading out
If travelling by car, please be aware that this is a busy time of year for the Lakes and car parks fill up fast. Please plan ahead and head to a new area if you find your chosen destination busier than normal. Please do not park on grass verges and be mindful that emergency service vehicles, including Mountain Rescue may need access and some of our roads are quite narrow.
You can check the status of a car park before travelling on the National Park website here:
https://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/visiting/car-park-status
Book before you go
Be prepared
Please make sure you have the right gear and a map and compass with you when heading into the fells. Times are very challenging for the Mountain Rescue teams, many of whom are key workers as well, so rescue may not be so easily obtained if you get into any difficulties out in the mountains.