Every since I moved to Cumbria in 2005 I have wanted to take a horse on the Windermere Ferry! The sign for the ferry charges in my mind was a invitation, but it's only now that I have managed to complete this challenge, mainly due to fact it taken me a while to get my own horse and second the opportunity just has not really presented itself. For some time Bridget and I had booked our other half's to be our Horse Ubers so we could ride High Street from Troutbeck and get picked up near Pooley Bridge. Of course the day came and the weather was typical Cumbrian, very very wet with zero visibility. So we came up with a Plan B ride, which turned out to a very good day despite the weather.
Getting horses ready in the rain is never much fun and Bridget's over half Adam asked us very seriously 'are you sure you want to ride today?!' We of course said yes we will be fine and off we went in all our water proofs!
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| Was so wet my green gloves turned by hands green! |
Troutebeck - Ambleside - Wray Castle - Ferry Nab (Route 1) 13 miles
The ride starts by taking the bridleway adjacent to Jesus Church, Church Bridge, which brings you out into the Troutbeck village. You then pick up Robin Lane bridleway, which is a lovely route that takes you right into the centre of Ambleside with views of Windermere and fells. This bridleway is rocky in places and when you go through the woods there is a section that we got off and led as it is very steep. Look out for a little track that runs parallel to the main route, which is less steep and much kinder to the hoofs.
Once in Ambleside you need to go into what I call police horse mode and you have to ride the one way system, so lots of looking over the shoulder and being very aware of all the traffic around you. Wind your way through Ambleside down to Rothay Bridge and then pick up the pavement through Clappersgate, which is a cycleway/footway/multi user route. In Clappersgate turn left onto the B5286 and then pick up the bridleway that runs parallel to the road and then through Pull Woods. After following another roadside bridleway this eventually brings you out opposite the road to the National Trust campsite at Wray Castle. Instead of taking the main road to Wray Castle go down the lane towards the National Trust campsite and then pick up bridleway that cut off the corner and takes you direct to Wray Castle and keeps you off the road.
Wray Castle is a great spot for lunch and by the time we had reached here, it had thankfully stopped raining and the sun was even trying to come out! If the café is open this is good time to get a hot drink and a peace of cake too. Once you have taken in Wray Castle and the views head back up the main drive and then pick up the bridleway that runs next to the shores of Windermere. There is a chance to have a paddle here and this is a lovely long off road section heading toward the ferry. The route comes out into National Trust car park area and often there are young cattle grazing. Then take the road around to the Ferry.
Considering we had just ridden through a young herd of cows, which Ryan found a little exciting the ferry seemed really quite a simple proposal in comparison! Neither I or Bridget had taken a horse on the ferry and we felt lucky that it was open as in the morning the ferry was being fixed. We were greeted by smiling ferry crew, who were delighted to have a different type of customer. We were told that it was at least three years since the last horse had been on board and none of the crew working that day were sure what the process was, but it was agreed that the cars, bikes and people should go on first and then we would get on last. Ryan and Hope walked on like they had done the journey every day and I must admit I was very proud of them. The gates were a bit clunky, but really is was all very calm compared to the one way roads of Ambleside we had done in heavy rain that morning! On leaving the ferry we asked if we could ride off having led the horses onto the ferry. The crew were happy for this to happen if we we were happy so that's what we did! There is a short film of us riding off the ferry at https://twitter.com/GardnerKHannah/status/1531287552040263681?s=20&t=W6NbxdNRTTRhlBoXKqVhvA Our Uber Horse (AKA my other half Andrew) was waiting for us with the trailer at Ferry Nab car park and we packed up and headed home. A very good day and I think the ferry may become an annual trip at least. Since doing the ride in May 2022 at least 10 other horses have been on the ferry and the #HorseFerryChallenge is becoming a must do ride.
Things to Note
Windermere Ferry - £2 to cross with a horse, pay before you get on by contactless payments.
How do horses deal with the ferry? Well this is how I see it. Ryan and Hope who we took are excellent in traffic, do busy roads, M6 bridges, underpasses, tunnels and we had every faith in them that they could do this. This was the first time they had been on board, there are clunky gates and a bit of noise when you set off but no worse than a busy road. Hope and Ryan walked on the ferry like they did it every day. To them I recon it was just an extension of the road. Cars went on first, then walkers and bikes then us. Lovely ferry crew, even the captain came out to say hello. If you have not been on the ferry before I would suggest first going on as a foot passenger to check it out (lots of nice walks from the ferry too).
Best to check the ferry is running - for example the day we used it the ferry was being fixed in the morning, but working in the afternoon. Best place to check is @WindermereFerry Twitter account.
You will come across stone steep bridleways, a ford crossing a stream, road bridges, wooden bridges, busy roads including the one way system of Ambleside (Route 1), cows and sheep in fields you need to cross, low branches, walkers, bikes, dogs and boats! There are parts where you will need to get off and lead.
Parking
You need a horse Uber/a very willing other half who will drop you off and pick you up if doing Route 1. Best place to get dropped off is at Jesus Church, Church Bridge. You can do this without a lift if you park at the starting place or nearby (e.g. layby between Windermere School and Lily Lane/Dodds Lane), but it should be noted this make the route longer so its about 20 miles and by looking at the OS map there are various routes back from Ferry Nab. You could also do this as part of a multi day trail ride with a overnight stop near Ambleside at http://www.holmesheadfarm.co.uk/
An alternative ride to the above:
The Tarns Ride (Route 2) 12 miles (can made shorter)
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| Ferry Nab Car Parking fees July 2023 |
Ferry – lake shore – Far Sawrey (Here you can either ride the road, which can be quiet if you time it with the cars getting off the ferry or via the bridleway through the Belt Ash Coppice woods, but it should be noted this is stony and steep in places.) Moss Eccles Tarn – Claife Heights woods – optional trip to Wray Castle for lunch/cake/coffee – Windermere lake shore – ferry back. Would recommend riding this clockwise as you get the best views of the fells.
You could also ride there and back to Wray Castle along Windermere shore, which would be about 8 miles. Would recommend avoiding the bridleway that goes up/down at Belle Grange, Shores of Windermere as this is steep and stone pitched.
#HorseFerryChallenge #HorsesOnAFerry #RideCumbriaChallenge #FerryBoat
A GPX file of these rides can be downloaded from Ride Cumbria Facebook Group
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