6 Curious Lake District Family Walks
Think walking is boring? Think again! We’ve put together some lovely family walks through truly beautiful scenery, each with something extra special to discover along the way.
Hoad Hill from The Gill 2.7 miles Approx. 1.5 hours
This is a great family walk from the market town of Ulverston which is worth a visit in its own right thanks to eclectic mixture of pubs, cafes and shops as well as its varied festivals which run throughout the year.
This walk starts at The Gill close to the town centre where there is ample paid parking. Th walk starts in the same place as the Cumbrian Way which is well signposted. Follow the tarmacked path alongside the river. Keep on the path with the river on your left as it winds through the woodland. Eventually you’ll come to a gate which leads into open ground. Pass through the gate and follow the path alongside the river to a second gate leading to the road ahead. Cross the road and go the third gate directly opposite. Follow the path alongside the wall as it gradually climbs uphill. Stay on the path as it crosses the open ground. You’ll see a house on your right which the path goes behind. Cross the road and then take the signposted permissive footpath opposite into the woodland. Go through the woods and over the ladder stile onto the open countryside. Continue straight ahead. You’ll see Hoad Hill Monument (which looks like a lighthouse on a hill) ahead. Keep heading towards it. Once at the top of Hoad Hill you can enjoy fabulous views across Morecambe Bay and to the Lake District Fells. If open (usually on Sundays), and for a small donation, you can venue to the top of the monument via way of a stone spiral staircase. From up there the views are even better!
From the monument various paths make their way down the front of Hoad Hill. Once down go through the kissing gate and turn right. Follow the walled path as it makes its way back into town where you can visit the pubs, shops and cafes if you wish before returning to The Gill.
Cathedral Cavern from Tilberthwaite 3.5 miles Approx 2 hours
We’ve featured this walk before but it’s such a fun, interesting, and exciting walk for families we couldn’t help but feature it again. The walk starts from the parking area at Tilberthwaite, an idyllic and unspoilt corner of the Lakes which is easily accessible from any of our Coniston village cottages. The wide path winds its way through Hodge Close Quarries and ancient woodland before a “secret tunnel” brings you out into the magical Cathedral Cavern. A walk absolutely guaranteed to delight anyone with an adventurous spirit both young and old. Make sure you have charge in your phone as this walk requires torches!
From the parking area in Tilberthwaite take the lane winding right past a row of cottages. Go through the farm (ignoring the path branching off to your left – you’ll return via this path later). Stay on the main, easy-to-follow path as it weaves through the woods and quarry. Eventually you’ll pass the isolated Brooklands Cottage. Shortly afterwards a gap in the stone wall on your left heads steeply uphill to the entrance tunnel to Cathedral Cavern. Follow the tunnel straightheaded until you emerge into daylight within the quarry. Scramble down the path leading to the lower area, leading into Cathedral Cave itself. Once thoroughly explored leave by the other exit through another shorter tunnel. Turn left and follow the path down through a gate onto a well-used track. Follow the track until you reach a sharp left turn, signposted to Tilberthwaite 1 mile. Follow this track back to Tilberthwaite – you’ll emerge at the farm by the gate you ignored on your outward walk.
Coppermines Valley Circular from Coniston 3.5 miles Approx. 2 hours
This short walk starts in Coniston village and takes in waterfalls, a waterwheel, and various mine entrances which can be explored for a short distance – in other words plenty to hold the interest of younger walkers.
From the Black Bull in the centre of Coniston take Coppermines Lane, continue past Gate House until the lane becomes an unmade track. Follow the track as it curves to the left and climbs into Coppermines Valley.
Stay on the track and you’ll see the Coppermines Mountain Cottages and Waterwheel ahead.
If desired take a minor detour to see the waterwheel close up. Beyond the waterwheel and to the right is a footbridge with an old railway cart so fun photographs. Across the bridge is a small tunnel entrance which younger walks can peer into.
Back on main track continue past the Youth Hostel and through the vehicle barrier.
After a sharp right turn a smaller path turns right again to lead up to the fellside behind the Coppermines Mountain Cottages.
Take this path which leads to the old water course way which fed the waterwheel. After you passed the Waterwheel below you on your right the path joins a larger one. Cross the footbridge and turn right to follow the path towards the old mining chimney.
Again there’s more opportunity for exploring. A little further on a track on the left leads to a cavern in the fellside which makes for another interesting detour. The path then drops down behind Irish Row and Slater Bobs, Fellside and No. 4 Cottages before joining the main track you took up to Coppermines Valley. From here you can retrace your steps back to the village or, at miners bridge on your right, cross the bridge to return the village on the other side of Church Beck. You’ll pass Dixon Ground Farm then Bend or Bump. Turn left at The Sun to return to Coniston village.
Rydal Caves & Loughrigg from White Moss 3 miles Approx. 2 hours
This varied walk has everything; ancient woodlands to wander through, open fell-side with a stunning mountain vista, beautiful lake views and a large cavern to explore mid-way through; an excellent incentive to encourage any reluctant young walkers in your party.
From the White Moss car park located off the A591 in-between Ambleside and Hawkshead leave the car park via the south-west corner. Cross the bridge and take the footpath marked “Woodland walk to view points on Loughrigg Terrace and path around Rydal Water”. Continue through the woods until the path reaches a gate in a stone wall leading to open fellside beyond. Turn left and follow the low path along the shore of Rydal. As you reach the end of the lake and immediately before you reach a gate, a sharp right turn leads uphill. Follow the path uphill to Rydal Cave.
After exploring the cave turn left to follow the lake again – this time from the higher path along Loughrigg Terrace. Follow the terrace as it cuts across the fellside.
For those wishing to “Bag a Wainwright” or to simply to take in one the Lake District’s best views then a diversion to the summit of Loughrigg is highly recommended. From Loughtrigg Terrace a left turn up a pitched stone path leads to the Wainwright summit of Loughrigg, from where your efforts will be rewarded by spectacular 360 degree views of Rydal, Grasmere, the Coniston Fells and Fairfield to name but a few.
Back on Loughrigg Terrace follow the terrace along, eventually leaving Rydal Water behind before taking a path on the right which descends towards the southern tip of its neighbouring lake, Grasmere.
The downward path will lead you right down on to the pebbled beach of Grasmere. This is a perfect spot to take some time out admiring the views down the lake to The Lion and the Lamb (Helm Crag) or dipping your toes into the lake. Once ready to leave the lake shore, cross the bridge on the right to re-enter the woods. Then, turn right to join the footpath running through Penny Rock Wood and follow the path, with the river on your right, back to the White Moss car park.
Hampsfell from Grange-over-Sands 3.3 miles Approx. 2 hours
The summit of this relatively low fell features Hampsfell Hospice.
The walk begins from a layby on the outskirts of Grange-over-Sands (grid ref SD 41174 78554).
At the end of the layby a wooden signpost points the way through the stile in the stone wall and on to the footpath through Eggerslack Wood. Stay on path heading uphill through the woods and, at the sheep dip, path the path forking to the left. The path eventually ends at another stone wall and the stile over it leads to open fellside.
Hampsfell is littered with extensive limestone pavement which makes for a fun and interesting natural playground for the younger (or young at heart) members of your walking party. Follow the obvious path uphill to another stile in a dry-stone wall after which turn right to follow the path up to the top of Hampsfell.
The summit of Hampsfell is marked with Grange Hospice. Built in 1846 by the vicar of Cartmel, the hospice is a small square building designed to provide shelter for travellers. Stone steps one one side give access to its roof and from here you’ll be able to enjoy outstanding views of much of the South Lakes including Old Man of Coniston, Helvelyn, the Langdales as well the vast expanse of Morecambe Bay.
There is also a clever viewfinder on top of the hospice; a large dial which, when turned and matched with corresponding numbers, explains which Lake District mountain is which.
After admiring the views, take the path leading down from the opposite side to which you approached. At the fork take the path on the left heading down towards Grange. The path bears left again to bring you to a gate onto Spring Bank Road. Turn left, then bear right to follow the lane down to the farm. From the farm take the signposted path across the short field and onto a narrow path which shortly brings you onto Ashmount Road. Turn right and after a short distance a gap in the houses on the left gives access to steps down towards the centre of Grange. Keep on heading downhill. You’ll eventually come out on Main Street, at which point turn left and follow the main road through the centre of Grange, stopping at as many cafés as deemed necessary. At the roundabout by the car sales garage, take the first turning to lead you back to your starting point.
Howtown to Glenridding via Ullswater Steamer
This walk involves a one-way trip on the Ullswater Steamer and lake shore an easy to follow lake shore footpath maiing up part of the Ullswater Way. The walk can be enjoyed from either direction; walking from Glenridding to How Town then catching the boat back or taking an outward boat and walking back. This is a description of the latter version, which is recommended if you’re unsure how the long the walk will take your party.
Catch an Ullswater Steamers from Glenridding pier (pre-booking recommended). A one-way trp to How Town takes approximately 35 minutes nd you can enjoy some stunning scenery along the way.
Disembark at How Tarn, leave the pier and take the footpath bearing right (a section of the Ullswater Way) which roughly follows the lake shore. Keeping the lake on your right, follow this path all the way back to Glenridding as it takes in, open-fellside, woodland and lake shore as well as breath-taking lake and mountain views.
There are ample rocky outcrops and places to sit and enjoy a picnic with a view along the way.
As you near Glenridding you can take some time to sit on the Artist’s Seat, so called as it celebrates three artists, JMW Turner, John Glover and Ann Macbeth, who were all inspired by the beauty of this valley. The seat itself takes in an often-painted view of Ullswater and surrounding mountains.
After the Artist’s Seat you’ll eventually come to some farm buildings. With the lake now behind you turn right through the farmyard to take the lane back to Glenridding Village.
