Route 3
Storrs Hall to Waterhead Description: This is a fabulous walk that guides you between two luxurious lakeside hotels, each set in a superb location and surrounded by stunning scenery. A ten-minute ride across the Windermere ferry allows both sides of the tree-lined lake to be appreciated. Follow the relatively level stony tracks and rural lanes as you stroll along the resplendent Windermere shoreline and, with every step, enjoy the spectacular views of craggy mountains jutting out from behind the verdant green pastoral landscapes. (Please note that there is a charge of ÂŁ0.50 per pedestrian on the Windermere ferry.) Distance: 9 miles (14.4 km) Time required: 6 hours Start from: Storrs Hall, Bowness-on-Windermere. Safety: Most of the paths will be rough, stony or muddy; therefore, stout boots with a good grip on the soles are absolutely essential. Waterproof clothing is recommended for your own comfort along with energy-giving food and drinks.
The Lake District National Park is a special place. Please help to take care of it by following the Country Code as you walk
1. From the front door of Storrs Hall, walk down the main driveway to link up with the Bowness/Newby Bridge road. Turn left and, (facing the oncoming traffic) proceed for 400 yards, to pass by a broad, stony track on your right. 250 yards further on, bear right onto a residential lane [Middle Entrance Drive]. Ascend for 200 yards, and then turn left onto a minor residential lane. Follow this lane for ½ mile, to rejoin the Newby Bridge/Bowness road. Cross over the road and turn right. Walk along the footpath for 250 yards, and then turn left onto a lane [Hawkshead & Coniston via ferry]. At the far end of this lane, use the Windermere ferry to reach the opposite side of the lake. 2. Upon disembarking from the ferry, proceed along the lane for 175 yards, then turn right through a gate onto a public footpath signposted [Hill Top via Sawrey]. Immediately pass by a building on your left and after 200 yards, this tree-lined footpath will terminate at a narrow lane. Turn right and, with Lake Windermere on your right, follow this tarmacced lane for ¼ mile, to pass by the entrance to a caravan park on your right [Strawberry Gardens]. 3. Continue along the tree-lined stony track, (parallel to the line of the lake) for another mile, to reach a Y-junction. Bear right signposted [High Wray & Hawkshead via minor roads] and follow the level track for 1/3 mile, to observe a gate supported by 2 tall stone pillars. DO NOT ascend the lane straight ahead. Instead, bear right, signposted [Public Bridleway Wray Castle] and (after passing through a small car park) continue along the side of the lake for approximately 1 mile, to reach a squeeze-stile & gate across the route. Go through the gate, [Public Bridleway Wray Church] to pass through another gate 100 yards distant. Bear left, away from the lake, and ascend a stony track (bordered by a stone wall on your right and a wire fence on your left) and after 1/3 mile, this track will terminate at a lane next to the entrance to Wray Church. 4. Turn right and within 30 yards, pass by the entrance to Wray Castle on your right. Continue down the lane for a further 300 yards, to pass by the entrance to a camp-site on your right. Proceed for a maximum of 15 yards, then turn left through a swing-gate to enter a field. Turn right [Permitted Footpath : Ambleside] and walk alongside the hedge for 200 yards, to pass by a gate on your right. Continue parallel to the hedge on your right and after 1/3 mile, rejoin the lane via a swing-gate in the right-hand wall. Turn left and after ¼ mile, to reach a junction with the Hawkshead/Clappersgate road. Turn right [Ambleside 2 ½ ] and (facing the oncoming traffic) follow this road for 1/3 mile, to pass by a lane on your left. Proceed for a maximum of 30 yards, then turn right through a gap in the roadside wall. [Permissive path]. 5. With the road on your left and a wire fence on your right, this path will terminate (after ¼ mile) at a flight of stone steps. Rejoin the road and turn right. Walk for 100 yards, to pass by the entrance to a house on your right. Continue for a maximum of 75 yards, then, at the top of a long tarmacced driveway (on your right), bear right and join onto a stony footpath [waymarker]. Walk alongside the right-hand wire fence, to rejoin the road after 150 yards. At this point, go straight across the road (with care), to pass through a squeeze-stile underneath a [Permissive path : Ambleside] signpost. Within 15 yards, cross over a wooden footbridge, then follow the tree-lined path (parallel to the road on your right) for almost 1/3 mile, to climb over a wooden stile. Continue on a narrow path, alongside the road on your right and after another 1/3 mile, arrive at a road junction. 6. Rejoin the main road, then follow the line of the River Brathay on your left for 250 yards, to cross over the road bridge. Ascend the right-hand side of the road and within 75 yards, arrive at a T-junction with the Coniston/Ambleside road. Turn right and follow the roadside footpath for ½ mile, to reach a single- arched footbridge spanning the River Rothay. Turn right and on the opposite side of the bridge, pass through a swinggate, to link up with a road. Turn right and within 75 yards, reach a T-junction with the Ambleside/Waterhead road. Cross over this road, then turn right and follow the pavement for ½ mile, to reach the jetties at Waterhead Bay. Waterhead is situated on your left, directly opposite the landing stages. To reach the main entrance, proceed to the far end of the hotel, then turn left up a short tarmacced slope. Turn left again to be welcomed at reception. NOTE: Route No.3 was correct at the time of printing, and the author cannot be held responsible for any eventualities outside his control. MMVI