Riding around North Windermere - including a Ferry Trip!

With news that the Windermere Car Ferry was back up and running a plan was formed to ride a route that involved the ferry, this turned into why not put in an overnight stay too! Some of us (not me) have stayed at Holmeshead Farm before and quickly a date was booked here for our horses and humans B & B. The next question was could we get a horse uber in (AKA husband drop off) or do we know anyone we could ask to park our vehicles overnight. Luckily, we were able to park at a friends at High Borrans, which became the start and finish for our ride.

All ready

Day 1 – Starting from High Borrans we followed the Bridleway down to Moorhowe Road and then picked up the lanes down to The Common Farm. Unfortunately, there are no bridleways or quiet lanes into Windermere, which meant we had to cross the A591 and picked up the wide cycleway/footway that runs adjacent to the A591. For info horses have a legal right to use the verge next to a road and therefore now this has been tarmacked over, equestrians can in fact use this safe off-road shared space. It’s a shame the blue circle sign that includes a horse rider could not be put up! Anyhow, the horses were brilliant as ever crossing the road here and going alone the A591. 

and we are off! above Windermere

along the A591 to Windermere

We then turned off at Thwaites Lane, behind Lakeland Plastics and worked our way down through Windermere on the back streets including Oak Street, Board Street, through the library grounds to Ellerthwite Road. Here we crossed New Road (main road through Windermere) to Birthwaite Road and then picked up the very pleasant Beemire/Longlands Road that takes you through the wooded parts of Windermere and brings you out near the Windermere Rugby Club (another possible place to park maybe). We then worked our way down to Fallbarrow Road and came out by the Church. Here there were a few surprised tourists as I don’t think you get may horses in the middle of Bowness! We then went along the very wide left-hand pavement at the Promenade and onto the road where we turned right into Rectory Road. This is a nice quiet route and leads to the bridleway to Ferry Nab to pick up the ferry.

The quiet way through Windermere to Bowness along Beemire/Longlands

Bowness by the Yacht Club

The Promenaded 

Rectory Road

Bridleway to Ferry Nab

Ferry ahead!

The ferry was on the other side so the horses had a good rest and we chatted to fellow ferry users and staff. All three horses have been on the ferry before and were absolute ambassadors for the equestrian world by calmly walking onto the ferry and Ryan my horse even had a little nap as we set off! As horse transport goes the ferry is very steady and you do not really feel like you’re moving and before you know it, you’re at the other end and it’s time to get off.

On the Windermere Car Ferry!

We rode off the ferry and headed over to the lakeshore path. Before picking up this route to Wray Castle we gave the horses a good break on some nice grass while we had our lunch. It’s about 3 miles to Wray Castle from the ferry and takes in woodland and lovely views over Windemere. Wray Castle may not be a real castle from olden days, but my word it certainly has presence and is a lovely sight as you head around the corner of the lakeshore path. Here we met our friends and had a well earned cup of tea from the café. From Wray Castle we picked up the bridleway north through fantastic bluebell woods and the byway to our overnight accommodation at Holmeshead Farm. A brilliant day covering just over 12 miles. Horses fed and washed down before they took up residence in their overnight field. We then followed and sorted our self's out with more tea, shower and a pub meal at nearby Outgate. With the fire lite back at Holmeshead we did a bit of route planning for the following day and I think we all slept well! 

Along Windermere lake shore

Wray Castle 

Route planning!

Day 2 – After a lovely breakfast, we got going for day two. Today’s ride seemed very familiar in parts as a lot of it we have ridden before, but we try and do these routes every year as there so good! 

Horses overnight field

Getting ready for day 2 

Leaving Holmeshead we headed down to Skelwith Bridge, here there is a bit of busy road to cross, but as a group of five horses such busy bits seem far easier as traffic really does have to slow down compared to one or two horses. From Skelwith Bridge we headed up to Loughrigg Tarn and picked up the bridleway heading towards Grasmere. We then took the bridleway along Loughrigg Terrace. The views from here are always good, but at this time of year the bluebells make everything zing! This is quite a stoney route in places and some people may like to lead their horse if they do not like heights as it does drop away a bit. Ryan has done this a number of times and his route memory is amazing as to where to place his feet. From the Terrace we rode down to Rydal Water and then onto Pelter Bridge, where we were so pleased to see the ice cream van! First break of day needed of course!

Looking towards the Langdales

Loughrigg Tarn 

Loughrigg Terrace

Rydal water

Pelter Bridge

From here we went along Under Loughrigg lane. When we got to Ambleside our group split with Sharon and Anna heading back in a loop to Holmeshead and myself, Bridget and Liz headed over the bridge into Rothay Park, through the car park and out onto Rothay Road. We did this route as it is nice and quite compared to riding along the A593.  

At Rothay Road junction we turned right and completed a short section of the Borrans Road and then turned left where we went along the snicket path to Loughrigg Meadow, onto Loughrigg Park and Loughrigg Avenue. This cut through brings you out onto Lake Road and avoids the one-way system of Ambleside. At the junction of Loughrigg Avenue we turned right and complete a short section of Lake Road, before turning off through the car park after Fisherbeck Hotel and joined the Old Lake Road. We then went up Skelghyll Lane which leads onto the bridleway to Troutbeck.  

snicket path to Loughrigg Meadow

Loughrigg Avenue

The bridleway between Ambleside and Troutbeck is called Robin Lane and has fantastic views of Windermere.  Last time I did this route was in driving horizontal rain and there was no view just low cloud! The woods at the Ambleside end of the route are again carpeted in bluebells are a real treat to ride through. There are though a couple a tricky rocky sections through the woods and its all about giving your horse a long rein and getting them to pick a route through. If you are coming from Troutbeck I would advice getting off and leading down the rocky bits. As we were about to leave the woods we had a typical Lakeland moment, as the local farmer was moving sheep along the bridleway. We stood back on the bank to let them through and also took part in some unexpected sheep herding as of course the ewes were keen to come up the bank towards us! Once out of the woods the route becomes a nice track and there are a couple of gates to negotiate. 

Robin Lane bridleway to Troutbeck

 

The path then drops down to Troutbeck, which is a very pretty village. As we went along the track we were hoping Trouteck Post Office café would be open, but it was closed. It was OK though as we had a village contact and Bridget’s friend who lives in Troutbeck just happened to be in the garden and kindly make us a tea and the horses had a good garden snack. After our very welcomed brew we set off to do the last few miles of our journey.   This involved taking the bridleway down to the Church, up the main road (which was very quiet as the road ahead is closed!), through Limefitt Holiday Park, up onto Dubbs Road byway, a short section of road and then onto High Borrans via the bridleway.  As ever we were all pleased to find our vehicles and after over 14 miles the horses loaded well into the trailer to wend our way home. A superb trip with great company – horses and humans! Photo credit and thanks to our riding team - thanks as ever to Bridget Pickthall, Liz Davison, Sharon Cash and Anna Twiname for letting me use their fantastic photos and special thanks to Liz for organising us all and checking out routes. 

Tea in Troutbeck!

Turning into Limefitt Holiday Park

Looking up Troutbeck Valley 

Useful Info

Our route is a public route on the OS maps app/website, link below to maps

Day 1 Map -  https://explore.osmaps.com/route/31736872/day-1--riding-around-north-windermere-via-windermere-car-ferry?lat=54.38509&lon=-2.98168&zoom=11.777&overlays=os-obstacles-layer&style=Topo25k&type=2d

Day 2 Map – https://explore.osmaps.com/route/31737178/day-2---riding-around-north-windermere-?lat=54.42195&lon=-2.98549&zoom=11.9315&overlays=os-obstacles-layer&style=Topo25k&type=2d 

Other ferry rides are outlined in previous blog posts. For example you can do a short ride to just Wray Castle or a longer route over Claife Heights.  

Overnight accommodation – https://www.holmesheadfarm.co.uk/

Using the ferry – Best to check its running before planning your ride. Sometimes the ferry does not run if low or high water levels or high winds for example. You can check the website and social media pages for updates (https://www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/parking-streets-and-transport/windermere-ferry) or webcam (https://www.fba.org.uk/windermere-ferry-cam).