British Walking Federation

BOWNESS  AND  BEATRIX WALK ORGANISED BY THE BWF NATIONAL COMMITTEE

CONTACT : Roger Baker, 12 Burwood Grove, Hayling Island, Hampshire PO11 9DS   
Tel: 02392 462005     E-mail: trails@bwf-ivv.org.uk 

DISTANCE:  11km
ENTRY FEE:  £1.00 per walker  (Cheques payable to BWF))
AWARD:  Cloth Badge at £2.00 each
START VENUE:  The boat jetties on the Lake Windermere in Bowness.   Map 97 GR SD402967
CAR PARKING: Various car parks in the area.
DIRECTIONS FROM M6 MOTORWAY:  From the South leave the M6 at junction 36, and take the A590 towards Sedgewick, and then the A591 to Windermere. At Windermere take the A592 to Bowness-on-Windermere. From the North, leave the M6 at junction 37 towards Kendal, on the A684. Then pick up the A591 to Windermere and follow the instructions above.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT:  Train or bus to Windermere. Bus to Bowness. Please check as all transport is seasonal.
REFRESHMENTS:  At the start and on the route.

ROUTE DESCRIPTION (Updated 21-01-2009)

With the information centre behind you and facing the Lake, turn Left down Glebe Road with the Lake on your right. After 300m, and just past Windermere Quays visitor centre on your right, take the Public Footpath sign posted to Cockshott Point. Follow the path keeping the Lake on your right. At metal gate, go through and turn right, and follow the signs for the ferry. Board the ferry and cross Lake Windermere as a foot passenger. (Every 20 mins at a Cost of 50p each way for 2009).

Q1 - What is the signed car capacity on the ferry?

After crossing Lake Windermere, walk along the road for approximately 140 metres. Take footpath on the right through gate signpost Hilltop via Sawrey, and follow along the side of the Lake for approximately 150m to go through the gate and turn left on road. After approximately 100m go through the gap in the wall on the right, sign posted public footpath Hill Top via Sawrey, Ash Landing, Claife Station. Walk up the path towards a ruined building, but just before reaching it take the path on the left back down. Take great care as this path can become very slippery. It is worth inspecting the buildings, particularly for the view back across the Lake. The building was a "Café cum View point" called a Station for the hundreds of Victorian visitors. Watch out for Red Squirrels in this area.

From the descent follow the path right through the car park, keeping the road on your left and follow the public footpath signed National Trust to Near Sawrey and Hill Top. Go though the gate, cross the road with care, and continue on the path in the same direction with the road now on your right. As you come to the end of this path continue on the road for approximately 100m, turn right at footpath sign for Sawrey. Follow the track, go ahead through the kissing gate and then on through another old metal kissing gate. Join the lane via the path signed through private property and continue ahead to road and turn right.

Q2 – On NT sign next to telephone box…. how far to Hilltop?

Pass the Sawrey Hotel & Claife Crier Inn on the right and continue on this road for a short distance before turning left onto a minor road with Sawrey stores immediately on your right and ahead on this road through village. Just before church take footpath on right through kissing gate ahead on gravel path over bridge in same direction. Through kissing gate on right and immediately turn left through gate signed Nr Sawrey & Hilltop, do not go out into the road. Eventually the path emerges onto the road turn left on road passing Hilltop, whilst living here Beatrix Potter wrote most of her now famous books. She used the cottage, gardens, and surrounding area for inspiration for the stories and illustrations in her books.

Immediately after passing Hill Top you pass Tower Bank Arms on your left keep on this road towards Hawkshead and take the first road left signed Lakeside. After 500m, at the fork in road turn left eventually passing Dub How Farm and cottages. After a further 500m turn left on yellow footpath sign into woodland continue ahead uphill following footpath sign keeping wire fence on right to cross boardwalk. At fork keep ahead for 50m to kissing gate and field, cross field aiming for gate and stile in same direction through three gates and fields on terraced path to reach kissing gate and road, turn left.

Q3 - What is the name of the first cottage on your left?

Almost immediately turn right through kissing gate into field with church on left. Continue in the same direction through several fields and kissing gates to emerge at Bryers Brow Cottage. Turn right and walk along the road for a short distance. At road junction turn right and continue on road sign posted to Cunsey.  Ignore left turn instead follow the road down hill until you see a sign for Bryers Cottage, turn sharp left. Ignore private signs this is a permissive path. Continue on this path to the Lakeside and then with the Lake on your right continue to the road.

Turn right on road and return to the ferry. Cross and re-trace your steps through the car and boat park. Do not turn left through metal gate to follow the lake shore path but go ahead through a field, cross the road and go ahead on tarmac path eventually passing the mini-golf on your left to return to the Lake side and information centre.  

When you have completed this trail please use the  Permanent Trail Entry Form

The organisers are not liable for accidents, thefts and/or damage to property.  Every effort will be made by the organisers to make this a safe, enjoyable and memorable event.

This trail is registered until 31 December 2010.