Yewdale Valley walk
A medium length walk starting from Coniston village that takes in the charming Yewdale valley.
The route gains enough height to provide good views of the landscape, but stays low enough to be not too demanding.
Map
Start:
Coniston Primary School, grid ref: SD305978
1
Start opposite Coniston Primary School at Shepherds Bridge (bus stops here). Walk over Shepherds Bridge and take the Cumbria Way footpath immediately on the left, which will lead you through the fields.
2
Nearing the top of the hill, the path takes you through the woods of Back Guards Plantation, continuing along the Cumbria Way.
3
Bear left, keeping on the path that passes under the large oak tree, and head through the gate.
4
Go left at the path junction onto the track, heading for Low Yewdale.
5
Just before the stone bridge, take the Cumbria Way path on the right, heading for Tarn Hows. Go across the fields, following the path into the woods.
Woodland rich in flora
Bluebells carpet the woodland floor in spring, along with other wildflowers and ferns. The wet environment is ideal for mosses that cover the rocks like blankets under a canopy of hazel, birch and oak trees.
6
At the top of the track, head through the gate and follow the path around the front of Tarn Hows Cottage, heading for Glen Mary Bridge.
7
At the bottom of the hill, head through the gate and go right briefly along the road (take care, it can be busy). After 22yd (20m), turn left into Yew Tree Farm where you will head over a bridge. Take the path through the gates on your right. Yew Tree Farm is a typical Lakeland hill farm and was famously used in the 2006 film Miss Potter. Although this was not her home, Beatrix Potter once owned it and helped the tenants to set up the first tea-room.
8
You'll approach another bridge named Shepherds Bridge. Here you will head left over the road bridge for 33yd (30m) before taking the path on your right, heading for Coniston.
Picturesque views
These rugged fells are characteristic of Central Lakeland fells and contrast markedly with the softer landscape to the east. Much of the valley landscape was developed in Victorian times by the wealthy Marshal family. Individual trees and block plantations framing views from trackways, are often design features of a landscape very much in the picturesque ideal.
9
Keep an eye out for steps to a kissing gate on the left into a field; the little-used path takes you to the remains of a disused lime kiln. If you decide to have a look, you need to return back to this gate to continue the walk back to Coniston on the main path.
Historic lime kiln
In the past, lime was a valuable resource for improving farmers' fields. By baking limestone in kilns, such as this now disused one, lime could be produced that was spread over the land to neutralise the naturally acidic soils.
10
Bear right at the path junction to stay on the main path leading out of the woods. The rocks to the west are called the Borrowdale Volcanics; hard rocks that give the central fells their character. A fault line runs through the valley, separating these from the softer Windermere super-series rocks to the south and east.
11
At the end of the path, go through the gate and turn left down the road back to Coniston village centre. To return to the start of the walk you need to head left along the main road for 545yd (500m), then go right at the junction signposted to Hawkshead.
End:
Coniston Primary School, grid ref: SD305978
