8
TROUTBECK VALLEY
Viewpoint 2 – Troutbeck Village
Viewpoint 3 – The valley
The village is really a collection of tiny hamlets that have gradually joined up over time. This is a very well kept Lakeland village with many listed houses dating back to the 17th century. The village tea room sells a ‘Discover Troutbeck’ self-guided walking map highlighting the fascinating heritage, vernacular architecture, features and some of the spectacular views. The walking tour of about a mile starts at Townend Barn, a traditional farmhouse looked after by the National Trust. If you time it right you could witness the annual pancake race, duck race or the pets blessing event. Refresh yourself in either of the two 17th century pubs: the Mortal Man or the Queens Head.
Access to Troutbeck Valley is limited to local traffic, there is no parking in the valley. This means you have to walk or use a bicycle for access which is good for spotting compositions. I use a bicycle for access from Troutbeck Village itself where there are various lay-bys and places to park. Access to the valley is from Town Head via Ing Lane (NY 414 038), below the Queen’s Head pub, which leads downhill and along the valley past the bathtub barn. Alternatively below the church (NY 412 026) and follow the small road and track through Limefitt Holiday Park. There are no definitive viewpoints, it’s just a beautiful place to wander taking pot shots at whatever takes your fancy depending on the conditions of the day. The lanes in the valley are a joy to amble along any time in any season. On a warm summer day butterflies flit from one flower to the next, the farmers are busy making hay, it’s an idyllic scene and, apart from the modern farm machinery, one that has changed little in hundreds of years. At the end of the tarmac road you will see the white-painted farmhouse of Troutbeck Park. From here you have a few options: continue past the farmhouse on a footpath leading to waterfalls in Trout Beck and an interesting stone slab bridge. By taking the footpath to the right across the field you follow Hagg Gill to another beautiful stone barn or climb up to The Tongue, the hill in the middle of the valley, for an overview looking south.
Tortoiseshell butterfly in the Troutbeck Valley. Canon 5D MkIV, 100–400 at 400mm, ISO 200, 1/200s at f/10. July.
How to get here
Accessibility
The first location on Kirkstone Pass is described in the chapter. Troutbeck Village is located 3.5 miles from Windermere train station or 4.8 miles from Ambleside.
Accessibility is very easy with flat walking mainly on roads. You have the choice to explore beyond the road end on trails which are the usual rocky fell paths. Walk as far or as little as you like.
From Ambleside follow the A591 for 1.8 miles to a sharp left turn 100m past the Low Wood Bay Resort and watersports area. Follow the narrow but very scenic road all the way to the strung out village of Troutbeck which starts after 2 miles.
The quiet road up the valley is wheelchair-friendly. The only issues will be access, it’s a bit hilly from the parking areas in Troutbeck village. Also the road is narrow single track and passing places are few and far between so it could be an issue if a tractor or car want to get past.
Queens Head Hotel
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Lat/Long: 54.425706, -2.9047747 what3words: ///archduke.poppy.discusses Grid Ref: NY 413 037 Postcode: LA23 1PW
CENTRAL LAKES – TROUTBECK VALLEY
Best time of year/day The valley is picturesque so suitable at any time of year. For me late spring to the end of summer is the best when the hedgerows and fields are full of flowers and blossom with butterflies flying between. The Kirkstone barn is best when the bracken has died back in autumn. Cold winter mornings can yield some good scenes with frosty hedges and snow on the fells.
