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Windermere and Footprint
Lake DistrictA truly inspirational education space.
Footprint, St Catherine's, Patterdale Road, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 1NH
Opening times for 1 January 2026
Asset Opening time Countryside Dawn - Dusk Access to Footprint for pre-booked events only. St.Catherine's estate has public footpaths and is open year round.
MTWTFSS293031123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930311OpenPartially openClosed- Car park
Car park is for use of visitors doing pre-booked activity only.
- Toilet
Drop-off point. Wheelchair accessible. Accessible toilet. Access to woods via steep steps or a medium slope.
- Accessible toilet
- Drop-off point
Drop off point at the front door of the Footprint building.
- Level access/terrain
Level access to the Footprint building
- Steps/uneven terrain
Access to St Catherine's wood and wider grounds is via steep steps or a medium slope.
- By road
- Off the A591 to Troutbeck.Parking: We have a small car park that can park up to 12 cars. Parking is free and only for the use of those booked on to an activity or workshop.Sat Nav: Use: LA23 1NH
- On foot
- 20 minute walk from Windermere train station, via the woods from the bottom of Orrest Head.
- By train
- Windermere Station 1.5 miles (2.4km).
- By bus
- Stagecoach bus numbers 516, 555, 599 run from and to Windermere train station. 20 minute walk approx. 1½ miles (2.4km) along the woodland path from the bottom of Orrest Head.
Footprint, St Catherine's, Patterdale Road, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 1NH
Highlights
Educational base
Straw-bale building constructed in 2006, providing an educational base for people to reconnect with nature.
Green woodworking and bushcraft courses
Woodmatters run a programme of green woodworking and bushcraft courses throughout the year at Footprint.
Outdoor learning for schools
Working with Woodmatters, we offer an exciting programme of outdoor learning sessions for schools. Whatever the weather we provide memorable, fun and inspiring learning experience for KS1 and KS2 groups.
Things to see and do
Schools Environmental Education Sessions
At Footprint, Woodmatters delivers an exciting programme of outdoor learning sessions for schools. Whatever the weather they provide memorable, fun and inspiring learning experience for KS1 and KS2 groups.
Workshops in the woods with Woodmatters
Learn how to carve a bowl or spoon, try whittling or go on a Family Bushcraft Camp. Activities at Footprint are designed to help you deepen your connection with nature and learn something new in beautiful surroundings.
Upcoming events
Event
Whittling Course with Woodmatters
Get to grips with the basics of whittling greenwood with a knife in a fun and creative way.
Event
Scandinavian Shrink Pot Carving with Woodmatters
Create a beautiful natural pot from greenwood with Woodmatters.
Event
Woodland Explorer residential with Woodmatters
Three day outdoor adventure camp for 8-16 year olds.
About Windermere and Footprint
An educational base where people can reconnect with nature through pre-booked courses and workshops. The straw bale building was constructed in 2006 and is located in the St Catherine’s parkland where there is woodland and pasture grazed by cows and sheep. Footprint was the first building in Cumbria to be constructed with straw bale walls, and the first of its kind built anywhere by the National Trust. It's a truly inspirational space.
Our work
Article
Our work in Windermere - land management that works for people and nature
Find out more about our work to make space for nature, increase biodiversity, connect people with nature and boost climate resilience.
Project
Project: Cumbria’s first straw bale building
Find out how and why we created the first straw bale building in Cumbria, and how the Footprint building was designed to have as small an ecological footprint as possible.
Project
Support us
Volunteer with us
Search for live volunteering opportunities, or register your interest with Footprint.
