Things to see and do in the park at Fell Foot

Plan your visit

• Fell Foot Park is open 9am – 8pm daily.
• The Boathouse Café is open 9.30am – 5pm daily.
• Parking is free for National Trust members. Car parking charges for non-members (£6 for up to 2 hours, £7.50 for up to 4 hours, £9 all day). Pay by cash at ticket machine. Card payments for parking can be taken by a member of the welcome team.
• Booking is not required.
• Picnic tables and benches can be found outside the café. Barbeques are not permitted at Fell Foot.
• Fell Foot is ideal for paddling and boating. Take a look at the Water sports page for information on equipment hire, launching your own equipment and guided activities.
• Active base is a state-of-the-art changing facility with showers, lockers and underfloor heating. Day passes are available from just £2 and can be bought from the café.

Spring at Fell Foot

Spring is the time to stretch your legs here at Fell Foot and take in the sights and smells of the new season. There’s a choice of great walks around the park, and paddle sports hire returns from Easter. If you’re visiting with children you can visit the outdoor play area, borrow an explorer pack to get closer to nature and you can hire a balance bike for toddlers looking to scoot around (free to hire - donation of £3 welcome).

Dogs on leads are welcome across the park, including the café, and the south meadow provides a great space to run off some steam.

If you’re just starting off on your Lake District adventure, Fell Foot is a great place to begin; we have a friendly welcome team and everything to make your day comfortable – toilets, a large car park, café, lakeshore access and showers and changing rooms.

Blossom and trees

The horse chestnut trees will be in flower along the lakeshore and catkins will be growing on willow and hazel trees. The rhododendron bushes flower at this time of year, they’re bright pink and can be quite spectacular. There are also Wild Cherry (Prunus avium) trees at the northern end of the House Lawn and above the café on the paddock lawn – these are a hit with bees and other pollinating insects.

Walking at Fell Foot

If you enjoy a gentle stroll then Fell Foot is the place for you. Enjoy the feeling of open green space, fresh air and closeness to the lake.

There are two recommended walks, but feel free to explore off the beaten track. Try the easy loop down to the lakeshore or venture further afield to the meadow. Pick up a welcome leaflet for a free map of each route.

Walking route one

This short route through the parkland is fully accessible. Walk past the gothic boathouses and the Active Base which has state-of-the-art changing rooms, showers and meeting rooms and a clubhouse. Along the shoreline, take in far-reaching views north, with plenty of photographic opportunities, especially of the Fairfield Horseshoe.

Walking route two

This tranquil 2.5km route takes you around the whole park. The walk is a little more strenuous and takes you to the wildflower meadow. Continue along the shoreline until you reach a gate. Go through it and explore the southernmost tip of Fell Foot.

You'll be rewarded with some great views and the chance to spot some rare wildlife such as water rails which are a smaller relative of moorhens and coot water fowl.