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Ennerdale
Home of the Wild Ennerdale project with 30 miles of traffic-free paths
Bleach Green car park, Ennerdale Bridge, Cleator Moor, Cumbria, CA23 3AS
Important notice
Please note: Forestry England have introduced parking charges to Bowness Knott car park in line with other landowners across the Lake District to help look after the area. Charges are: £2 for 1 h, £3.5 for 2h, £5 for 4h and £8 for all day.
Opening times for 12 July 2025
Asset Opening time Countryside Open all day MTWTFSS3012345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031123OpenPartially openClosed- Car park
Pay and display car park at Bowness Knott (not National Trust) Bleach Green car park (not National Trust)
- Dogs allowed
Dogs are welcome to our outdoor properties but please keep them under close control to protect stock and wildlife. Take a look at our Canine Code and enjoy a great day out with your pup!
Access paths for people with limited mobility at Bleach Green.
- 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.
Sat Nav: Sat Nav postcodes CA23 3AS for Bleach Green car park and CA23 3AU for Bowness Knott car park.
- 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 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) Please note, service 217 and 218 have been suspended until a new provider is found, we recommend checking online before heading out.
- Cycling
C2C Cycle Route (NCN 71) comes to Cauda Brow (2½ miles from Bowness Knott car park)
Bleach Green car park, Ennerdale Bridge, Cleator Moor, Cumbria, CA23 3AS
Planning your visit
Article
Visiting Ennerdale with your dog
Ennerdale is a one paw print rated place. Find out all you need to know about bringing your furry side-kick on an adventure around the lake shore, in the valleys and up the fells.
Highlights
Ennerdale Valley
Remote valley home of the Wild Ennerdale Partnership, which is allowing the landscape to evolve naturally, reducing human intervention.
Things to see and do
Activity
Things to do in Ennerdale
Escape the pace of modern life in Ennerdale with a lakeshore stroll, a hike up to some of the most famous Lake District mountain peaks or a bike ride along the forest roads.
Article
Wildlife to see in Ennerdale
The Wild Ennerdale partnership’s nature-led approach to land management has seen the return of wildlife in abundance. Which of Ennerdale’s residents will you be able to spot?
Places to stay
Watergate Farm
Period features throughout in this spacious farmhouse on the shores of Loweswater.
Holme Wood Bothy
A ‘stone tent’ warmed by a log-burner, set just metres from the shores of Loweswater.
Wasdale Campsite
A mile from Wastwater, close to challenging bike trails and Scafell Pike, England’s tallest mountain.
Wasdale Hall Lodge
A stone cottage with traditional furnishings located in the remote valley of Wasdale.
Upcoming events
Sorry, there are no upcoming events at this place
About Ennerdale
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. Caring for Cumbria's largest National Nature Reserve, the Wild Ennerdale Partnership is allowing the landscape to evolve naturally by 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.
History
Article
The history of Ennerdale
Discover the history of Ennerdale in the Lake District, dating back to prehistoric times through to the present day, including its impact on literature, conservation and rock-climbing.
Our work
Article
Our work at Ennerdale
Discover more about our conservation work at Ennerdale, from maintaining a long stretch of dry stone wall to protecting the marsh fritillary butterfly.
Wild Ennerdale
Wild Ennerdale is one of the UK’s largest wilding partnerships and in November 2022, it was declared the largest National Nature Reserve in Cumbria. Learn more about the work we are doing together with our partners to help increase biodiversity and climate change resilience into this spectacular valley.
Foundation for Commons Land and the Upland Commons Project
Did you know that along with farmers and other commoners, we look after approximately 16,000 hectares of common land in the North and West Lake District? This includes parts of Kinniside, Stockdale Moor and Nether Wasdale commons. Click here to learn more about the Upland Commons Project, the history of commoning and what we are doing to make sure these important stretches of land continue to support people, livestock and wildlife as they have done for centuries.
Support us
Volunteer with us
Search for live volunteering opportunities, or register your interest with Ennerdale.