Route: Holme Wood
Area: Western Lake District
Date of walk: 30th December 2021
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 3.2 miles
Ascent: 400 feet
Weather: Low cloud and dull
Continued poor weather in the Lake District meant that a fell walk wouldn’t be possible – low cloud down to about 600 feet rendered much of the landscape invisible. We decided on a low level walk though Holme Wood, a place we visit frequently. We’ve walked all the paths before, but not in the combination we chose for today’s route. We parked in one of the roadside spaces near Waterend at the northern end of Loweswater and followed a path and then a lane past Hudson Place. We then joined a path which descends gently to Holme Wood and the shore of Loweswater
Holme Wood is owned and managed by the National Trust and is home to a wide mixture of native trees including alder, oak, lime, ash, beech and sycamore. The paths through it make for a pleasant stroll at any time of the year. On entering into the wood we followed the main path through it, passing by Holme Wood Bothy along the way. Just before Watergate Farm and the gate at the far end of the wood we turned off sharp right to to climb up through the trees. We ignored the first crossroads of paths and at the second one we turned right to descend gently back down to the main path. (For anyone wanting a slightly longer alternative, carry on to the third crossroads and turn right – this will take you past Holme Force, which is well worth a visit).
Having rejoined the main path we followed another one which passes by the bothy and hugs the shore of Loweswater. This brought us to the edge of Holme Wood and from here we retraced our steps back to the start. It was an enjoyable walk in spite of the uninspiring weather
For other walks here, visit my Find Walks page and enter the name in the ‘Search site’ box
Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
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Earlier in the week, a red squirrel in the garden
A short walk to Crummock Water yesterday in between showers...
The start of today's walk as we follow a path across the head of Loweswater (the lake is unusual in that it drains into the Lake District and towards the fells rather than out of it as would be expected)
We pass through another gate which leads to the lane to Hudson Place
Looking back to the start
Belted Galloway in the fields above Loweswater
Beyond Hudson Place we descend to the shore of Loweswater
Entrance to Holme Wood - the sign indicates that Ramorum disease is affecting larch trees in the wood, which have to be felled to prevent the spread of the disease
Holme Wood
We keep to the main path on the right and will return via the lakeshore path on the left
Stately trees in Holme Wood
We cross Holme Beck via a footbridge to the right of the stepping stones
Views across Loweswater - a shame that much of the scenery is hidden behind murky clouds...
At the far end of the wood we turn uphill
We continue ahead at a crossroads of paths
The path descends gently back down to Loweswater
We pass by Holme Wood Bothy
We follow the lakeshore path
The 'Goblin Tree' complete with Christmas decorations
Lichen
We leave Holme Wood
We retrace our steps back to the start of an enjoyable walk, despite the indifferent weather
Next day, more red squirrel action in the garden…
