Ennerdale
Home of the Wild Ennerdale project with 30 miles of traffic-free paths
Ice Age relics: Arctic Char on the move in autumn
Catch a glimpse into the life of a relic population fighting back beneath the waters of Ennerdale
Ennerdale
Overview
Home of the Wild Ennerdale project with 30 miles of traffic-free paths
Lying on the north western edge of the Lake District National Park, Ennerdale is home to some of England’s most vibrant natural environments and one of the longest running wild land restoration projects in the UK. The Wild Ennerdale Partnership is allowing the landscape to evolve naturally with reducing human intervention and invites you to explore this unique valley and experience its special sense of wildness.
Wild Water, Forests, Mountains
The river Liza is a 'wild' river - allowed to choose its own path through the valley. Native species are gradually colonising forest that was formerly plantation. Some of the classic ‘Wainwrights’ Pillar, Great Gable and Kirk Fell are the giants of the skyline towering over Ennerdale Water.
Come into the wild
Accessing the valley is easy, with two free car parks at either side of the lake – Bowness Knott to the north and Bleach Green to the south. Click here for downloadable trails, information about history, wildlife and conservation work in Ennerdale.
- Telephone
- 01768774649
- NorthandWestLakes@nationaltrust.org.uk
Ennerdale
How to get here
- Address
- Bleach Green car park, Ennerdale Bridge, Cleator Moor, Cumbria, CA23 3AS
- By cycle
- C2C Cycle Route (NCN 71) comes to Cauda Brow (2½ miles from Bowness Knott car park)
- Cycle route information
- On foot
- The Coast to Coast footpath leads the length of Ennerdale from St Bees, via Ennerdale Bridge. Bowness Knott is 4½ miles walk from the bus stop at Lamplugh (walking along the road to Croasdale is the most direct route) Bleach Green is 4 miles walk from the bus stop at Rowrah (the path via Salter Hall is the most direct route) Black Sail YHA is 2 miles walk from the bus stop at Buttermere via Scarth Gap pass (350m ascent)
- By train
- Whitehaven Station 7½ miles from Ennerdale, which is served by trains from Carlise and Lancaster. Penrith Station 40 miles from Ennerdale, has bus connections to Ennerdale via Cockermouth
- By road
- From north: A5086 from Cockermouth. At Crossgates turn left onto minor roads following signs to Ennerdale Bridge. At Croasdale, turn left for Bowness Knott car park or right for Bleach Green car park. From south: A5086 from Egremont. At Cleator Moor turn right onto minor roads following signs to Ennerdale Bridge. At Ennerdale Bridge turn right for both car parks.
- Parking: Check www.saferlakes.co.uk for up to date car park information. There is parking at Bowness Knott and Bleach Green (free, not National Trust). Please note there is no vehicle access beyond Bowness Knott unless you are staying overnight at Ennerdale YHA or Low Gillerthwaite Field Centre.
- SatNav:
- By bus
- Service 217 to Lamplugh and Rowrah from Cockermouth (Wednesdays only) Service 218 to Lamplugh and Rowrah from Workington (Fridays only) Service 77/77a Honister Rambler to Buttermere from Keswick (April - October)
Ennerdale
Prices
Admission free
What is Gift Aid?
Most of our places run the Gift Aid on Entry scheme at their admission points.
Under this scheme, if you're not a member you have the choice of two entry tickets:
- Gift Aid Admission
- Standard Admission
If the place runs Gift Aid on Entry, we'll offer you a clear choice between the Gift Aid Admission prices and the Standard Admission prices at the admission point. It's entirely up to you which ticket you choose.
Gift Aid Admission includes a 10 per cent or more voluntary donation. Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid - an extra 25 per cent - potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.
An extra £1 paid under the scheme can be worth over £3 to the National Trust as shown below:
| Gift Aid | Standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Amount paid by visitor | £11.00 | £10.00 |
| Tax refund from Government* | £2.75 | £0.00 |
| Total received by the National Trust | £13.75 | £10.00 |
*Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid - an extra 25 per cent - potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.
Ennerdale
Opening times
Please note...
The car parks at Bleach Green and Bowness Knott are open but are not operated by National Trust. Our countryside space is open. We encourage everyone to observe social distancing measures. Please stay local if possible to avoid creating hotspots.
Tuesday 26 October
- Countryside Open all day
Wednesday 27 October
- Countryside Open all day
Thursday 28 October
- Countryside Open all day
Friday 29 October
- Countryside Open all day
Saturday 30 October
- Countryside Open all day
Sunday 31 October
- Countryside Open all day
Monday 1 November
- Countryside Open all day
Ennerdale
Contact us
- Telephone
- 01768774649
- NorthandWestLakes@nationaltrust.org.uk
- Address
- Bleach Green car park, Ennerdale Bridge, Cleator Moor, Cumbria, CA23 3AS