A ‘follow the sun’ circular walk from Ambleside to Wansfell and Troutbeck

A ‘follow the sun’ circular walk from Ambleside to Wansfell and Troutbeck

If you want to climb Wansfell from Ambleside you have  a choice: do you take on the short, direct route up Wansfell and then descend more slowly, or do you prefer and longer slower climb and then steep descent? We went for the latter, doing this magnificent circular walk clockwise. The first section is testing, but, on a clear day, you follow the sun with warming rays on your face all day.

Cornishead Priory and Buddhist Meditation Centre

Cornishead Priory and Buddhist Meditation Centre

The Conishead Priory has an interesting history. It was founded in 1160 as a hospital for the poor, and has also been a hotel, a private home, a military hospital aswell as a convalescent home and spa for miners. Since

Feeling festive at Rydal church and cafe, near Ambelside

Feeling festive at Rydal church and cafe, near Ambelside

Rydal Hall cafe is a short stroll from Ambelside. If you are on foot , walk along the road towards Grasmere and take the gate on the right just outside Ambelside. This footpath takes you through the campsite and directly into Rydal Hall. The cafe is situated along the waterfall.

A room with a view at Rydal Waterfall

A room with a view at Rydal Waterfall

The view of Rydal Waterfall from the window was described as ‘picturesque’ inspiring many poets and painters such as Turner, Constable, Wordsworth and Coleridge.

Barters Books, Northumberland

Barters Books, Northumberland

All successful partnerships are based on finding a common interest. Mary Manley was a book lover. Her husband Stuart was a train enthusiast. Together they made a success of it by setting up a second-hand book shop in a former