Grasmere Village and Allan Bank

Lake District

A view of fields and mountains with a tree in the foreground, Allan Bank and Grasmere, Cumbria — A view from Allan Bank and Grasmere, Cumbria | © National Trust/Steven Barber

A circular route from Grasmere to Allan Bank by the riverside, through historic parkland and with all round views of the fells

Near to

Allan Bank and Grasmere

Start point

Broadgate Meadow Lake District National Park Car Park, Grasmere, Cumbria, LA22 9TA. Grid reference: NY 33860774 what3words: ///clouding.rinses.study

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Steep gradients and uphill climbs

The steepest gradient is found at step 6 where for 49yd (45m) the gradient is between 20 and 23% and forms part of an overall climb of 85yd (78m). The longest uphill climb is at step 12. It is 159yd (145m); the first third is 71yd (65m) at 12%, second third is 38yd (35m) at 7% and final third is 49yd (45m) at 10%.

Address
Broadgate Meadow Lake District National Park Car Park, Grasmere, Cumbria, LA22 9TA. Grid reference: NY 33860774 what3words: ///clouding.rinses.study
what3words: ///clouding.rinses.study
Directions via Google Maps
By bus
Take the 555 Stagecoach bus service from Kendal to Keswick. Take the 599 bus service from Bowness to Grasmere.
By train
Windermere station 9 miles (14km) where you can connect to the 555, 599 bus services
By road
From the south: Junction 36 M6, then take the A591 to Grasmere village.
From the north: Junction 40 M6, then take the A66 onto A591 to Grasmere village.
Car park
There are 5 disabled parking spaces for Blue Badge holders at the start of the trail. Charges apply.
Toilet
There are Lake District National Park toilets in Grasmere village for a charge. Accessible toilet at Allan Bank.
Café
There are plenty of cafes and tea rooms in Grasmere village. If visiting Allan Bank, self-serve tea and coffee are available for a small donation. You are welcome to bring a picnic to Allan Bank to enjoy indoors in the back kitchen or Butler’s pantry or outside in the garden.
Play area
There is a council play area at the start of the route.
Parking There are five disabled parking spaces for Blue Badge holders at the start point. Parking charges do apply. Accessible toilet There is a disabled toilet at Allan Bank. Gradients There are steep uphill and downhill gradients ranging from 4% to 23%. The steepest gradient is found at step 6 where for 49yd (45m) the gradient is between 20 and 23% and forms part of an overall climb of 85yd (78m). The longest uphill climb is at step 12. It is 159yd (145m); the first third is 71yd (65m) at 12%, second third is 38yd (35m) at 7% and final third is 49yd (45m) at 10%. This is also the longest downhill slope. Surfaces Paths are predominantly tarmac with some looser gravel between steps 5 and 9. There is some coarser material at Allan Bank at step 14. There are protruding rocks stop 8. There are three sections of road walking, between steps 3 and 5, 9 and 10 and 17 and 18. Steps/uneven surfaces There is one step up of 2in (5cm) from the footpath to Allan Bank driveway at stop 12. There are some tree roots and a pavement camber between steps 2 and 4. There is a level access route into Allan Bank.
Designated parking
There are five disabled parking spaces for Blue Badge holders at the start of the trail. Parking charges do apply. There is only Blue Badge Parking at Allan Bank. Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
Accessible toilet
There is a disabled toilet at Allan Bank.
Seating available
Between steps 2 and 3 there are 12 benches. Benches 2 and 5 sit on a concrete platform and have a 4in (10cm) step up to access them. There are spaces next to most of the benches however, they are not on hard standing surfaces. There is one bench at step 11 however it does not have a back rest or arm rests.
Steps/uneven terrain
Gradients There are steep uphill and downhill gradients ranging from 4% to 23%. The steepest gradient is found at step 6 where for 49yd (45m) the gradient is between 20 and 23% and forms part of an overall climb of 85yd (78m). The longest uphill climb is at step 12. It is 159yd (145m); the first third is 71yd (65m) at 12%, second third is 38yd (35m) at 7% and final third is 49yd (45m) at 10%. This is also the longest downhill slope. Surfaces Paths are predominantly tarmac with some looser gravel between steps 5 and 9. There is some coarser material at Allan Bank at step 14. There are protruding rocks stop 8. There are three sections of road walking, between steps 3 and 5, 9 and 10 and 17 and 18. Steps/uneven surfaces There is one step up of 2in (5cm) from the footpath to Allan Bank driveway at step 12. There are some tree roots and a pavement camber between stops 2 and 4 and at step 18. There is a level access route into Allan Bank.
Gradient

There are steep uphill and downhill gradients ranging from 4% to 23%.

The steepest gradient is found at step 6 where for 49yd (45m) the gradient is between 20 and 23% and forms part of an overall climb of 85yd (78m).

The longest uphill climb is at step 12. It is 159yd (145m); the first third is 71yd (65m) at 12%, second third is 38yd (35m) at 7% and final third is 49yd (45m) at 10%. This is also the longest downhill slope.

Surfaces

Paths are predominantly tarmac with some looser gravel between steps 5 and 9. There is some coarser material at Allan Bank at step 14. There are protruding rocks stop 8. There are three sections of road walking, between steps 3 and 5, 9 and 10 and 17 and 18.

Steps/uneven surfaces

There is one step up of 2in (5cm) from the footpath to Allan Bank driveway at step 12. There are some tree roots and a pavement camber between steps 2 and 4. There is a level access route into Allan Bank.

For further information on the nature of the paths and route itself, please see the trail itself.

Elevation change on the Grasmere to Allan Bank trail | © Lucy Baird/National Trust
Total stages: 18
Total stages: 18
Start point
Broadgate Meadow Lake District National Park Car Park, Grasmere, Cumbria, LA22 9TA. Grid reference: NY 33860774 what3words: ///clouding.rinses.study
Stage 1
From the Blue Badge parking spaces, turn left towards the corner of the car park towards a footpath and a wooden bench.
Path leaving Broadgate Car Park, Allan Bank and Grasmere, Cumbria | © National Trust/ Lucy Baird
Stage 2
At the bench, go straight ahead with the river on your right and follow the path until you reach a wooden gate. The path is 4.4ft (135cm) wide, narrowing to 3.6ft (110cm) where moss encroaches over the path edges. The gradient is no more than 3% but tree roots do create small speed bumps and there are step downs of 2in (5cm) on either side of the path. Between stops 2 and 3 there are 12 benches.
A sharp drop off into the river caused by severe erosion, Allan Bank and Grasmere, Cumbria | © National Trust/ Lucy Baird
Stage 3
At the wooden gate, cross over the road and turn right to walk along the pavement at Broadgate Orchard.
Wooden gate leading onto the main road, Allan Bank and Grasmere, Cumbria | © National Trust/ Lucy Baird
Stage 4
Continue along the pavement until you reach a small layby with a wooden gate on your left, signposted by a way marker. This is before the road crosses a bridge. The pavement has drop kerbs and is 5.9ft (180cm) wide. The gradient is no more than 3%. There is a downhill camber towards the road of 10%. This can be avoided by walking next to the wall.
Short section of road walking between stop 3 and 4, Allan Bank and Grasmere, Cumbria | © National Trust/ Lucy Baird
Stage 5
At the end of the wall turn left onto the gravel path and go through the wooden gate. There is an 8.2ft (2.5m) slope down for the road to the gate at 5%.
Wooden gate set back from the road at step 5, Allan Bank and Grasmere, Cumbria | © National Trust/ Lucy Baird
Stage 6
Continue straight on the path towards the wooden fence on the right. This is where the path begins an uphill climb. The path is predominantly coarse gravel but this becomes looser at the wooden fencing. The path narrows on the climb to 4.5ft (140cm).
Steep uphill climb
The path climbs for 85yd (78m). The first third climbs uphill for 27yd (25m) with an 7% gradient ending with an 11yd (10m) at 12%. The second third climbs uphill for 19.6yd (18m) with a 15% gradient ending with a 11yd (10m) stretch at 20% gradient. The last third climbs for 38yd (35m) at 20% with a 3.2ft (1m) stretch at 23%. On the climb there are two flatter areas to stop on at the right of the slope.
Start of the steep uphill climb from stop 6, Allan Bank and Grasmere, Cumbria | © National Trust/ Lucy Baird
Stage 7
Continue straight along the path until you reach a downhill slope.
Sharp drop off into a steep banking, Allan Bank and Grasmere, Cumbria | © National Trust/ Lucy Baird
Stage 8
Go straight ahead downhill for 55yd (50m) to a wooden gate. The path narrows to 3.6ft (110cm) near to the gate due to vegetation overgrowth.
Large wooden gate opening onto a road, Allan Bank and Grasmere, Cumbria | © National Trust/Lucy Baird
Stage 9
Go through the wooden gate and turn right onto the road for 82yd (75m) until you reach a wooden gate on the left with a National Trust sign to Easedale and Allan Bank and Grasmere.
Wooden gate from the road onto footpath, Allan Bank and Grasmere, Cumbria | © National Trust/ Lucy Baird
Stage 10
At the wooden gate with the National Trust sign, turn left on the path towards Allan Bank. The gate has a handle on the right and opens towards you. It is 5.2ft (160cm) wide. The path surface is made up of very fine compacted material.
A tree narrows the footpath at step 10, Allan Bank and Grasmere, Cumbria | © National Trust/ Lucy Baird
Stage 11
Go through another wooden gate, keeping on this path and ignoring one path on the right. Here the path has an uphill slope of 27yd (25m) with a 6% gradient. Where the path ends and meets the driveway, there is an 26ft (8m) uphill slope at 10%.
Gravel footpath towards Allan Bank driveway, Allan Bank and Grasmere, Cumbria | © National Trust/ Lucy Baird
Stage 12
At the junction, turn right and continue uphill to the Allan Bank gates. There is a 26ft (8m) uphill slope with small protruding rocks at a 10% gradient to access the driveway. There is a 2in (5cm) step up onto a stone slab access ramp.
The uphill climb on the Allan Bank driveway, Allan Bank and Grasmere, Cumbria | © National Trust/ Lucy Baird
Stage 13
Go through the gate and take the path on the right where the wall ends around the back of the building. The pedestrian gate has an opening of 4.1ft (125cm). The vehicle access has two gates which open towards you. They are 10.8ft (330cm) wide.
The entrance to Allan Bank, Allan Bank and Grasmere, Cumbria | © National Trust/ Lucy Baird
Stage 14
Go into Allan Bank and have a look around. The door opens away from you and is 3.3ft (102cm) wide. There is a doorbell and staff can assist if needed. At the entrance there is a disabled toilet on the right.
Level access route into Allan Bank, Allan Bank and Grasmere, Cumbria | © National Trust/ Lucy Baird
Stage 15
Retrace your steps down the driveway by completing steps 12 and 13 in reverse
The cobbled drains lining Allan Bank driveway, Allan Bank and Grasmere, Cumbria | © National Trust/ Lucy Baird
Stage 16
At the cattle grid at the bottom of the drive, take the path on the right and go around the corner to a metal gate. Here the path is 5.2ft (160cm) and once through the gate there is a downhill gradient of 12% onto the driveway.
Pedestrian gate in drystone wall, Allan Bank and Grasmere, Cumbria | © National Trust/ Lucy Baird
Stage 17
Continue for 164yd (150m) until you reach the main road. The driveway is tarmacked and there is short section with an average downhill gradient of 8%. It is no more than 3% as it nears the road. At the road junction turn left past the cafe situated on the corner and continue on the road for 96yd (88m) until you reach the pavement.
A591 and Allan Bank driveway junction, Allan Bank and Grasmere, Cumbria | © National Trust/ Lucy Baird
Stage 18
Continue along the pavement for 186yd (170m) until a fork in the footpath opposite the Village Hall. There is a small downhill gradient of 15% towards the road. Cross over the road and continue straight to the Broadgate Meadow Car Park. The road surface is compacted tarmac and the steepest gradient is no more than 3%.
Uneven path surface oppposite Broadgate Meadow Car Park, Allan Bank and Grasmere, Cumbria | © National Trust/ Lucy Baird
End point
Broadgate Meadow Lake District National Park Car Park, Grasmere, Cumbria, LA22 9TA. Grid reference: NY 33860774 what3words: ///clouding.rinses.study
Trail map
Trail route from Grasmere Village to Allan Bank | © Lucy Baird/ National Trust
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