Become a member
Join today and help protect nature, beauty and history – for everyone, for ever. Enjoy access to more than 500 places with National Trust membership.
Windermere and Footprint
Lake DistrictA truly inspirational education space.
Footprint, St Catherine's, Patterdale Road, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 1NH
Opening times for 14 September 2025
Asset Opening time Countryside Dawn - Dusk Footprint is only open for pre-booked activities and workshops. See events page for listings.
MTWTFSS12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293012345OpenPartially 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
Footprint offers a pre-bookable programme of green woodworking and bushcraft courses throughout the year.
Outdoor learning for schools
At Footprint, working alongside our partner Woodmatters, we deliver an exciting programme of outdoor learning sessions. Whatever the weather we can deliver a memorable, fun and inspiring learning experience for KS1 and KS2 groups.
Spotlight events
Activity
Help Out Days in central Lake District
Join our Help Out Days in the Lake District and make a positive impact on nature. Led by National Trust rangers and gardeners, learn new skills and get outside.
Family Bushcraft
Learn effective fire lighting and bushcraft skills together as a family. Campfire cooking (food included), nature walk and story telling. Run by Woodmatters. Various dates in 2025.
Things to see and do
Environmental Education Sessions for Schools
At Footprint, Woodmatters delivers an exciting programme of outdoor learning sessions for schools. Whatever the weather we can deliver a memorable, fun and inspiring learning experience for KS1 and KS2 groups. All of our sessions are designed with holistic learning in mind and aim to develop the heart, head and hand. A culture of care and respect for ourselves, each other, and the environment is encouraged throughout. To book, call us on 015394 88409 or email us at debbie.riviere@nationaltrust.org.uk
Workshops in the woods
We’re working with Woodmatters to offer green woodwork and bushcraft courses at Footprint. Whether it’s learning how to carve a bowl or trying out a Family Bushcraft Camp, our activities at Footprint are designed to help you deepen your connection with nature and learn something new in beautiful surroundings.
Top trails
In the Windermere area there are lots of walks taking you through woodland, up onto fells and through quaint traditional Lakeland villages. Here are a few of our favourites.
Trail
Windermere to Townend walk
Discover the area around Townend, a 17th-century farmhouse a stone's throw from Lake Windermere.
Trail
Post Knott, Windermere views walk
Enjoy a relaxing walk that meanders through the central fells of the Lake District and offers impressive views of Windermere, along with a choice of picnic sites and resting places
Places to stay
Trees
A 1930s log and stone cabin high above Lake Windermere with a sun terrace and great views.
The Summer House
A cosy house in the old kitchen garden of Wray Castle with views of stunning scenery all around.
Upcoming events
Event
Spatula Carving
One of the most useful kitchen utensils is the humble spatula. Why not create something beautiful and bespoke? Axes, drawknives and knife work all combine in the art of spatula carving.
Event
Family Bushcraft
Two days of fun and memorable experiences. Learn effective fire lighting and bushcraft skills, campfire cooking (food included), nature walk and story telling.
Event
Bowl Carving
Hand carve your own trough bowl from greenwood using axes, draw knives, gouges and adzes. A busy day will be rewarded when your creation takes pride of place in your kitchen.
Event
Scandinavian Shrink Pot Carving
Create a beautiful natural pot from greenwood, using the shrinkage of the tree as it dries out to create a sealed pot.
Event
Help Out Day: Coppicing at Skelghyll Woods
Help our rangers with coppicing at Skelgyhll Woods, Ambleside
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
Activity
Help Out Days in central Lake District
Join our Help Out Days in the Lake District and make a positive impact on nature. Led by National Trust rangers and gardeners, learn new skills and get outside.
Volunteer with us
Search for live volunteering opportunities, or register your interest with Footprint.