Route: Brockhole to Townend and back
Area: South Eastern Lake District
Date of walk: 19th March 2015
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 6.7 miles
Weather: Sunny and hazy
I’d walked through Troutbeck on yesterday’s walk, and having been inspired by the beauty of the place I decided on a return visit, this time for a low level walk as the views from the tops would have been very hazy today
I parked in the Lake District Visitor Centre at Brockhole. I’d arrived early and the centre was closed but this didn’t matter as the grounds were open, so I wandered down to the shore of Windermere. The lake was as calm as a millpond and looked stunning
After strolling round the gardens I left Brockhole and walked beside the A592 for a short distance before crossing the road to join Wain Lane, a lovely ancient track which took me all the way to Townend. This atmospheric farmhouse is owned by the National Trust and my timing was perfect (luck not planning) – a guided tour was just about to start. It was a fascinating 45 minutes and I’d highly recommend a visit
After leaving Townend I walked into Troutbeck, and then began the return leg by joining Robin Lane, which I’d used on yesterday’s walk up Wansfell. The scenery on the return journey, through rolling countryside with extensive views, was beautiful throughout and it was a great walk – one which I’d happily repeat again
Click here or on the Map Page icon for the route map
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
Red squirrel having breakfast in the garden before I set off this morning
The Whinlatter Pass , on the way to the start of the walk
Brockhole
I walked through the gardens down to the shore of Windermere
The lake was like a mirror
Last photo of Windermere before I set off for Townend
Wain Lane - this bridleway will take me all the way to Townend
Middlerigg Tarn, which is artificial but doesn’t look it
There was plenty of birdlife around here, and I saw a heron, buzzard, nuthatch and various woodland birds and wildfowl in the space of a couple of minutes
The house and boathouse at the end of the tarn
One of several old stone barns along the lane
The path emerges onto Holbeck Lane, just above Townend - a few yards further along and I saw this……
.....a roe deer, I was glad I’d brought the telephoto lens along, heavy though it is
A view across the valley as I approach Townend
Townend
A few photos of the interior - I highly recommend the guided tour, it was a fascinating insight into the lives of a family of local farmers
I resume the walk and carry on into Troutbeck
Walking out of Troutbeck along Robin Lane
Windermere comes back into view through the haze
Further along Robin Lane
A short detour to the Pillar (shown on the OS map), at which point I turn left off Robin Lane to descend towards Windermere
Almost back down to the road
Back to the start, where a reckless child is climbing up the advertising hoarding
