Circular walk over Wansfell from Troutbeck
After a visit to Townend, follow old tracks and footpaths up to the top of Wansfell, for outstanding views over Windermere and Ambleside.
Feel like you are on top of the world on Wansfell Ridge
Following the ridge of Wansfell, leave the tourists behind for views over the Kirkstone pass before heading down to old Nanny Lane and Troutbeck village.
Map
Start:
Church Bridge, Troutbeck, grid ref: NY412026
1
From Church Bridge parking and bus stop, follow the narrow lane going west up the steep hill and into Troutbeck village. At the top of this lane is Troutbeck Café and Shop which is usually open for hot and cold drinks, snacks and lunches. Turn left here and follow the road through the village for around 1km until you reach Townend on your right.
Townend
A traditional lakeland farmhouse, home of the Browne family for more than 400 years. Discover how a well-to-do family made this farm their home and admire the woodcarvings, domestic items and amazing library.
2
After visiting Townend, go right onto Holbeck Lane, past Townend car park. Take the first path to your right which joins Robin Lane. Turn left on Robin Lane.
Robin Lane Pillar
Just to the right of the path is a stone column, which can be reached through a kissing gate. Make a short detour to admire the views from here. The pillar is one of a series, each one just within sight of the next. They were probably built to carry the survey instruments for the building of the Thirlmere to the Manchester aqueduct around 1895.
3
At the kissing gate, bear right onto the Right of Way onto Hundreds Road, past the waterfall on the left. Continue along the path following National Trust signs towards Nanny Lane.
The Hundreds
The area called 'The Hundreds' was once part of the ancient forest of Troutbeck. The area consisted of an upper, middle and lower Hundred. A Hundred is an area of land, and can be divided into 100 cattels. A cattel is a space big enough to graze five animals. The Brownes of Townend originally had five cattels.
4
Just before reaching Nanny Lane, turn left for the ascent to Wansfell Pike, with superb views of Ambleside and the surrounding fells.
5
Leaving the pike, return through the gate and follow the path initially along the wall side on the summit until you reach the marked summit cairn of Wansfell.
Wansfell Ridge
You will feel like you are on top of the world at the summit cairn on Wansfell Ridge.
6
From the summit, turn sharp right and follow the footpath down towards Troutbeck. Climb the stile over the wall to join Nanny Lane. On the lane go right, down to the village of Troutbeck.
7
When you reach the road in Troutbeck, turn right, and almost immediately turn left onto a small lane. Where it meets a small road, turn left and soon after turn right onto a lane, which becomes a footpath, back to Jesus Church.
Jesus Church
The church has some spectacular stained glass windows by Sir Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris. The origin of this Church is lost, but it certainly existed in 1506. The whole Church was dismantled and rebuilt in 1736.
End:
Jesus Church / Church Bridge, Troutbeck, grid ref: NY412026
