Troutbeck

From Ambleside to Troutbeck, via Holbeck Lane, and Town End.

This is a short outing from Ambleside, past the Low Wood Hotel and the water sports centre, up Holbeck Lane to Town End and on to the Post Office in Troutbeck. The route is retraced slightly to reach Bridge Lane which descends past the Youth Hostel to Troutbeck Bridge. The A591 is followed back to Ambleside.

Ambleside to Low Wood Hotel

Starting your journey in Ambleside, travel south along the A591 until you reach Waterhead. Here there is a narrow cycle lane and a 20mph speed limit. Continue south from Waterhead until you reach the Low Wood Hotel. It's worth pausing here to look across the lake towards the Langdale Pikes, Bowfell, and Coniston Old Man.

Low Wood Hotel

Low Wood Hotel
Stayed here accidentally on my birthday once. My wife thought it was The Langdale Chase.

Langdale Chase Hotel
So we went here next anniversary

Water Sports Centre
Call in. They need your custom now the boats can't speed.

LowWood to Troutbeck

Windermere from Holbeck Lane

Leave the Low Wood Hotel on the left and cross the bridge over Hol Beck, about 100m further on, turn left into Holbeck Lane. The road climbs steadily, and sometimes downright steeply, for over a kilometre. The advantage of this is that you soon get views over Windermere, looking down the lake as far as Bowness.

The road skirts the lower slopes of Wansfell. At some point you will cross the path of the Roman road between Galava, at the head of Windermere, and Ings, that is thought to drop from Skelghyll Lane down to a crossing of Trout Beck.

Follow the road around, passing Townend, until you reach the Post Office. Herbal tea is available and the view from the bench is splendid.

Townend historic house
A "fine example of Lake District vernacular architecture" and a "classic lakeland home of a well-off yeoman family".

Galava Roman Fort
Minor fort and settlement from the early 2nd century.

Mosaics in Roman Britain: Stories in Stone
A friend, Patricia Witts, wrote this book. She has a PhD in the study of Roman mosaics, but I won't call her Doctor until she calls me Master (I have a paltry M.Sc.)

Troutbeck Post Office and view point

TroutBeck Post Office to Troutbeck Bridge

Head southwards from Troutbeck Post Office until you reach Townend and take the left fork, called Bridge Lane, that drops away from Holbeck Lane. This road falls steadily for 2km, passing the Youth Hostel on the right about half-way down to Troutbeck Bridge. Be careful at the end of this run because the road at the bottom is the A591 between Windermere and Ambleside and can be quite busy.

If you need provisions or refreshments, turn left and cross the bridge to the new supermarket at the petrol station. If not, the turn right to return to Ambleside, joining the route between Windermere and Ambleside.

A591 roundabout to Ambleside

Turn north along the A591 and drop down to Troutbeck Bridge. After you've climbed a little from the bridge, get on the cycle track that takes you safely along this road past White Cross Bay and Brockhole and on to the Langdale Chase Hotel.