The Ultimate Lake District Drive
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The Ultimate Lake District drive The ultimate drive around the English Lake District, including wonderful scenery and attractions throughout. The drive visits many popular towns, villages, lakes and valleys as it explores different corners of the National Park. An experience never to forget. Wastwater Route Map Summary of main attractions on route (click on name for detail) Distance Attraction Car Park Coordinates 0 miles Bowness-on-Windermere N 54.36591, W 2.91993 0.8 miles Rayrigg Meadow picnic site N 54.37897, W 2.91924 2.9 miles Brockhole Visitor Centre N 54.40120, W 2.93914 4.8 miles Waterhead, Ambleside N 54.42116, W 2.96284 8.1 miles Wray Castle N 54.39822, W 2.96968 10.7 miles Hawkshead Village N 54.37410, W 2.99679 13.1 miles Tarn Hows N 54.38708, W 3.03905 15.4 miles Coniston Village N 54.36892, W 3.07347 24.5 miles Broughton in Furness N 54.27781, W 3.21128 28.0 miles Duddon Valley access area N 54.31561, W 3.23108 34.5 miles Birks Bridge access area N 54.38535, W 3.17944 37.3 miles Hardknott Pass N 54.40290, W 3.18488 38.1 miles Hardknott Roman Fort N 54.40241, W 3.20163 41.3 miles Eskdale Railway & Boot N 54.39505, W 3.27460 49.7 miles Wastwater, Countess Beck N 54.43443, W 3.31227 63.8 miles Kinniside Stone Circle N 54.51290, W 3.45370 66.4 miles Ennerdale Water N 54.52487, W 3.41480 70.6 miles Cogra Moss N 54.56583, W 3.41652 74.2 miles Loweswater N 54.58989, W 3.36659 76.5 miles Lanthwaite Wood N 54.58153, W 3.31840 79.5 miles Crummock Water, Cinderdale N 54.56266, W 3.29682 81.5 miles Buttermere Village N 54.54097, W 3.27756 85.9 miles Honister Pass N 54.51165, W 3.19697 88.7 miles Rosthwaite, Borrowdale N 54.52358, W 3.14818 90.1 miles The Bowder Stone N 54.54158, W 3.15620 92.2 miles Kettlewell / Lodore Falls N 54.56537, W 3.13476 93.5 miles Calfclose Bay N 54.58325, W 3.12902 94.9 miles Keswick N 54.59936, W 3.13758 96.9 miles Castlerigg Stone Circle N 54.60376, W 3.09811 109.2 miles Aira Force N 54.57142, W 2.92862 110.4 miles Glencoyne, Ullswater N 54.56140, W 2.94969 111.8 miles Glenridding Village N 54.54397, W 2.94965 114.7 miles Brothers Water N 54.51243, W 2.92396 118.3 miles Kirkstone Pass N 54.46445, W 2.92542 123.7 miles Holehird Gardens N 54.39602, W 2.91472 126.0 miles Bowness-on-Windermere N 54.36591, W 2.91993 The Drive Distance: 0 miles Location: Bowness-on-Windermere, Rayrigg Road car park Coordinates: N 54.36591, W 2.91993 Bowness-on-Windermere is probably the busiest town in the Lake District and at times the crowds can be oppressive but it is an interesting place in a great lakeside setting with plenty of attractions. The World of Beatrix Potter attraction is one of the more popular and is opposite the car park. The town centre itself has numerous shops, cafes and pubs where you can easily spend some time exploring before wondering down past St Martin’s Church to the nearby lakeside area. Bowness-on-Windermere centre The picturesque lakeside area is slightly separate to the town centre but often just as busy. There are a number of jetties where you can catch one of the many Windermere lake cruises. Beyond the jetties is Glebe Road which forms a popular loop along the lake shore. Within this loop is a large open recreational area known as The Glebe. The grassy area provides lovely views up the lake and there are various activities available such as mini golf and tennis. Beyond The Glebe is Cockshott Point which also has some good open grassy areas and a footpath along the attractive lakeshore. There are a number of shops, kiosks, cafes and pubs around the lakeside area. Rayrigg Road car park is pay and display Bowness-on-Windermere lakeside with toilet facilities. Travelling: Leave the car park and turn right, following the ‘All traffic’ sign, then almost immediately turn left at the T junction which is the A592 towards Ambleside. Soon pass the new Windermere Jetty boat museum and continue out of Bowness for approx 0.6 miles to Rayrigg Meadow car park on the left. Distance: 0.8 miles Location: Rayrigg Meadow picnic site Coordinates: N 54.37897, W 2.91924 A pleasant lakeside area with some good facilities and lakeshore walks. The wooded lakeshore has attractive views across the lake and some pebble/gravel beaches. There are several picnic tables and a childrens playground located in an open grassy area slightly away from the lake. Queen Adelaide’s hill is immediately behind the car park and the easily achieved summit provides great views over the lake and Queen Adelaide’s hill beyond. The car park is pay and display and has seasonal toilet facilities. Travelling: Turn left out of the car park to continue on the A592. Shortly, on the left, is a layby with free parking from where a short pleasant footpath heads down to the lake. Beyond that, up the short steep hill, is Hammarbank pay and display car park which offers good views over Windermere lake. Shortly beyond this, meet a mini-roundabout and take the first exit on the main A591 towards Ambleside. The road descends and passes through Troutbeck Bridge village where there is a petrol station & shop. Continue beyond Troutbeck village for approx 1 mile to Brockhole visitor centre on the left. Distance: 2.9 miles Location: Brockhole Visitor Centre Coordinates: N 54.40120, W 2.93914 Brockhole is an impressive lakeside visitor centre owned by the National Park Authority and has many attractions for all the family including exhibitions of the local area, playgrounds for children, shop, cafe, gardens, lake shore walks and boat trips. A popular treetop adventure is also available for which a charge applies. Entrance to the visitor centre is free and includes toilet facilities but the car park is 'pay on exit'. Attractions open daily all year. Brockhole Travelling: From Brockhole, continue north on the A591 towards Ambleside. Shortly, the road descends towards Lake Windermere and you pass the Low Wood Hotel on the right which is well known for water sports with spectacular views over the lake towards the central Lakeland mountains. The road continues to hug the lakeshore with good lake views for approx 0.6 miles before passing Stagshaw Gardens on the right and entering Waterhead village at the head of the lake. Turn left at the traffic lights and Waterhead car park is a short distance on the right, opposite the lake jetties. Distance: 4.8 miles Location: Waterhead car park, Ambleside Coordinates: N 54.42116, W 2.96284 Slightly south of Ambleside town, Waterhead has a lovely lakeside setting with plenty of attractions. Windermere lake cruises call at the jetty here and it is well worth taking a trip down the lake to Bowness or even Lakeside at the opposite end of the lake. The Wateredge Inn has a beer garden overlooking the lake and beyond this is Borrans Park which provides a scenic open grassy area with good lake shore Waterhead from Borrans Park access. Beyond this again is the Galava Roman Fort (free entry) and although there are limited remains to be seen, it is a pleasant and interesting area to explore. The car park is 'pay on exit' with toilet facilities. There are a few small gift shops, stalls and cafes in the Waterhead area. Travelling: Turn right out of the car park and continue past Borrans Park a short distance to take the first left turn on the A593 towards Hawkshead. Soon cross a tight bridge over the River Rothay and continue for approx 0.5 miles to take the first left turn on the B5286 towards Hawkshead. Cross another tight bridge, over the River Brathay, and continue through attractive countryside for approx 1.5 miles to take the left turn on the minor road towards Wray. The winding road is narrow in places and after approx 0.7 miles passes Low Wray campsite on the left. Just beyond this, up the short hill, is the ornate entrance to Wray Castle on the left. The Castle car park is a short distance along the access road. Distance: 8.1 miles Location: Wray Castle Coordinates: N 54.39822, W 2.96968 Wray Castle is a striking mock-gothic castle on the shores of Windermere lake. Built in 1840 as a private residence, the house has had an interesting history with many varied occupants. Although owned by the National Trust since 1929 it has only recently opened its doors to the public on a regular basis. There are tours of the castle which doesn’t have much in the way of furniture but the rooms are certainly elaborate with plenty of activities for children. Wray Castle Outside there are extensive grounds stretching down to the picturesque shores of Windermere lake. There are some fabulous walks along the lake shore which provides a good place for a picnic. Cruises around northern parts of the lake can be taken from the nearby jetty in season. Admission fee applies to the Castle which also has a cafe and toilet facilities. Castle open daily from February to October, weekends only in November.