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Your guide to The
National Trust in the English Lake District
In the Lake District National Park, the
National Trust owns and protects over 50,000 hectares of land, ranging from
magnificent skyline including Scafell, Great Gable and the Langdale Pikes
to woodland and many of the traditional cottages and farms nestling in the
valleys. This immense tract of land - about a quarter of the National Park
- comprises the central fell area and six of the major lakes, and is
considered by many to be England's most beautiful landscape. Indeed, this
was the birthplace for the idea of the National Trust.
Country Walks
Freedom to walk extensively on the fells, and in the valleys is guaranteed
through Trust ownership and enhanced by the network of Trust footpaths in
addition to the public rights of way. But the provision and upkeep of
footpaths is expensive and takes time. So too does the care of major areas
of native woodland, repairs, to walls, stiles, bridges and traditional
buildings and farmsteads. Yet each is all integral feature of this rich
and diverse landscape.
We urge you to support the work of the National Trust.
Some of the National Trust properties in
the Lake District
Not all of these properties can
accommodate pushchairs or baby backpacks, and there are queuing
arrangements at Hill Top. We suggest you visit the NT website to obtain
more details.
Acorn Bank Garden and Watermill
Ancient oaks and the high enclosing walls of this delightful 17th-century
garden keep out the worst of the Cumbrian climate, resulting in a
spectacular display of shrubs, roses and herbaceous borders. Sheltered
orchards contain a variety of traditional fruit trees and the famous herb
garden is the largest collection of medicinal and culinary plants in the
North. A circular woodland walk runs along Crowdundle Beck to Acorn Bank
watermill.
Location: Just N of Temple Sowerby, 6
miles E of Penrith on A66 (NY612281). Station: Langwathby 5 miles, Penrith
6miles. Please check details of opening times before visiting. Phone:
017683 61893
Beatrix Potter Gallery
An annually changing exhibition of original Beatrix Potter sketches and
watercolours from the celebrated children's stories. One of many historic
buildings in the village, it includes memorabilia of Beatrix Potter and
her husband.
Location: Centre of Hawkshead Village.
Phone: 015394 36355
Fell Foot Park and Garden
A Victorian park and garden, beautifully
situated on the shore of Windermere and magnificently restored to its
former glory. Spring and early summer bring impressive displays of
daffodils and then rhododendrons. There are magnificent views of the
Lakeland fells. The park has access to the lakeshore where there are boats
for hire and fine picnic sites.
Location: At the Southern end of Lake Windermere on the Eastern shore,
entrance off the A592 to Bowness. Postal address: Newby Bridge,
Ulverston, LA12 8NN Phone: 015395 31273
Hill Top
Beatrix Potter wrote many of her famous children's stories in this little
17th-century stone house and it has been kept exactly as she left it,
complete with her furniture and china. There is a traditional cottage
garden. A selection of her original illustrations can be seen at the
Beatrix Potter Gallery at Hawkshead.
Location: 2 miles South of Hawkshcad in hamlet of Near Sawrey, behind the
Tower Bank Arms. Parking 200m; no parking for coaches (all coaches must
book in advance). Hill Top is a very small house and a timed entry system
is operated (note: tickets cannot be purchased in advance). Phone: 015394
36269
Sizergh Castle and Garden
The Strickland family has lived for over 750 years at Sizergh and the
castle reflects the turbulent history of this part of the country.
Essentially defensive, its core is the 14th-century pele tower containing
some exceptional Elizabethan carved wooden chimney-pieces. There is a good
collection of contemporary oak furniture and portraits, and the castle is
surrounded by handsome gardens which include a particularly imposing and
beautiful rock garden.
Location: 4 miles South of Kendal, signposted off the A590. Phone: 015395
60951
Steam Yacht Gondola
The steam yacht Gondola was first launched in 1859 and now, completely
renovated by the Trust, provides a steam-powered passenger service in its
opulently upholstered saloons: the perfect way to view Coniston's
spectacular scenery.
Location: Coniston Pier (0.5 mile from Coniston Village)
Phone: 015394 35599
Townend Farm, Troutbeck
A very fine example of largely seventeenth-century Lakeland architecture,
this solid stone and slate house belonged to a wealthy yeoman farming
family and contains carved woodwork, books, papers, furniture and
fascinating domestic implements from the past, largely accumulated by the
Browne family, who lived here for 400 years until 1943.
Location: 3m SE of Ambleside at the southern end of Troutbeck village
Phone: 015394 32628
Wordsworth House
The Georgian town house where William Wordsworth was born in 1770. Several
rooms are furnished in contemporary style and contain some of the poet's
personal effects. His childhood garden, with terraced walk, has been
recreated.
Location: In the centre of Cockermouth.
Phone: 01900 820884
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