Our Favourite Beauty Spots

Loughrigg Terrace
More a viewing gallery than a viewpoint, this is an exquisite 20-minute walk alongside the River Rothay, through Rydal Wood, upwards over moorland, then finally offering perfect panoramic views across Grasmere Lake.
• Park at White Moss car park on A591 between Ambleside and Grasmere
• Follow path alongside river, cross the wooden bridge, and then follow yellow arrow for 'Loughrigg Terrace 440 yards'.
• Turn right at gate at edge of the wood, then take upper path onto Terrace.

Stockghyll Falls
Just ten minutes (uphill) walk out of the busy centre of Ambleside, set in a peaceful shady wood. Follow the signposted path alongside a deep mossy ravine, cross a small wooden bridge above the falls, and you can then return back down the path on the other side.
• The footpath is on the left 1/4 mile up Stockghyll Lane, behind Barclay's Bank in Ambleside town centre.
• Park in one of Ambleside's signposted car parks, or follow our Ambleside Walk from Fellside Studios.

Jenkyn's Crag
Alongside one of our favourite walks from Troutbeck to Ambleside, but also quickly accessible with a short climb from Waterhead. This was one of the very first ever tourist 'viewing stations', selected in 1778 by Thomas West in his classic 'Guide to the English Lakes'. West's visitors used a convex mirror called a Claude Glass to better appreciate their artistic qualities, but Lake Windermere, Coniston Old Man, Bowfell and the Langdale Pikes still look stunning without one. Allow about 3/4 hour for your walk, plus as long as you like to gaze in awe.
• Park at Waterhead car park (or follow our Ambleside Walk from Fellside Studios).
• Look for the signposted footpath up the steps opposite the Waterhead Hotel's front entrance, on the A591 at the top of Lake Windermere.

Skelwith Force and Elterwater
The path between Skelwith Bridge and Elterwater has been newly drained and resurfaced, so it makes a perfect half-hour easy stroll, past Skelwith Force waterfalls and alongside the reed-edged Elterwater Tarn, with magnificent views of the Langdale Pikes towering beyond. We usually finish with a visit to Chester's Café at Skelwith Bridge.
• From Ambleside follow A593 for 2 miles to Skelwith Bridge, then take the B5343 for about 1/4 mile.
• Park at the National Trust car park.
• Cross the road and follow the path down to the riverside, then turn left for Skelwith Force, or right for Elterwater.

Stickle Ghyll
Really this is just the first few yards of a classic (and very steep) walk to Stickle Tarn and Pavey Ark. We suggest you turn round after ten minutes or so, when you get to this wooden bridge – but you'll still see wonderful views across Great Langdale, and one of the most beautiful rocky ghylls in the Lake District.
• From Ambleside follow the A593 to Skelwith Bridge, then take the B5343 to Langdale.
• Park at National Trust car park next to the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel
• At back of the car park follow footpath signs to 'Stickle Tarn' and then keep right when paths fork.

Blea Tarn
This is our favourite high level stroll. Beautifully situated in the hanging valley between Great Langdale and Little Langdale, with superb mountain views in every direction. There's a handy car park less than 5 minutes walk from the tarn, or you can walk right round it in about 20 minutes. The last mile of the access road is single tracked with steep exposed bends, so absolutely don't try it in bad weather, or if you're unsure.
• From Ambleside follow the A593 to Skelwith Bridge, take the B5343 to the end of Great Langdale, then turn left up towards Little Langdale.
• Park at small National Trust car park at Blea Tarn, above the end of Great Langdale.
• Return same way to avoid the longer single track road through Little Langdale.

Windermere Car Ferry
You don't have to take your car! A single pedestrian ticket costs just 50p (cars single fare is £3) for a 10-minute atmospheric trip, including excellent views of the Lake, Belle Isle and the fells beyond. Wonderful woodland and lakeside walks below Claiffe Heights on opposite shore.
• Follow the 'Ferry' signs off the A592 out of Bowness-on-Windermere.
• Park at large car park near ferry pier, very busy at peak seasons.
• Ferry runs every day, all year, 6.50 am - 21.50 pm weekdays in summer; reduced service at weekends and in winter.

Orrest Head
This stunning 360 degree panorama quite suddenly appears at the end of an easy 20-minute climb through the woods above Windermere Station. You can see almost the full length of Lake Windermere, plus most of the major peaks in the Southern Lakes. Alfred Wainwright first fell in love with the Lakeland Fells from this spot, and you may too!
• Look for a big white sign directly opposite the NatWest Bank on the A591 near Windermere Rail Station, then follow the footpath signs.

Tarn Hows
We've visited Tarn Hows many times, but we never fail to gasp at its perfection. This beautiful little lake is cradled in woods, with the Coniston Fells and more distant Langdale Pikes providing a perfect backdrop. You can walk right round the lake in about 45 minutes, or picnic on the slopes below the car park overlooking this perfect jewel of the Lake Distict.
• The large National Trust car park is well signposted off the B5285 road which runs between Coniston and Hawkshead, 2 miles from Coniston, or about 5 miles from Ambleside.

Monica & Brian Liddell
Fellside House, Troutbeck, near Windermere, Cumbria LA23 1PE, England

Tel: 015394 34000
E-mail: brianfellsidestudios.co.uk