| Great escapes: Lake District 5 |
| Lakeside strolls |
| Lakeland isn't only about sturdy boots and vigorous uphill walks. We found two routes ideal for those who prefer a smoother path. |
For every visitor who comes to Lakeland for giddying views from the tops of England's highest mountains, there's another who's happy with
low-level routes and town walks. Here we look at two shorter walks that can be managed by all fitness levels and all the family. The Tarn Hows walk in particular provides a thoughtfully gradated path that is well suited to disabled walkers, though visitors in wheelchairs will need a strong companion for safety on some of the steeper inclines.
1. Keswick and Derwent Water
Pack a picnic if you'd like to stop for one later. Walk out of Derwent Water Camping and Caravanning Club Site, turning left onto Crow Park Road and right onto the main road through Keswick town centre. This road soon becomes Main Street and leads to Moot Hall.
The 19th-century Hall (below) dominates Keswick's central square. It also houses a very useful Tourist Information Centre which will be able to give you the latest information on what's open in the area. You can pick up a number of useful walking maps here which show several popular low-level Lakeside walks in the area.
Leaving Moot Hall, keep right and walk into Lake Road, which runs between the Old Keswickian chip shop and Barclays Bank (there's no sign on this road until 50 yards along it). You soon come to George Fisher's outdoor shop. Turn right onto a brick-surfaced road (actually the continuation of Lake Road). At its end, follow a distinctive pedestrian sign to your left bearing the words 'Subway to the Lake'.
Leading out of the subway is a
surfaced walkway down to the northern tip of Derwent Water.
To your right is Hope Gardens, which is abundant with blooms in the spring and summer and well worth a visit. There are also a putting green and plenty of park benches, so take your time here and enjoy the fragrant surrounds.
Continuing along the lakeside road brings you to the Derwent Water landing stages, which are very popular in peak season. There are plenty of places to sit and enjoy an ice cream here, or you
can continue along the tree-lined track to the end of Friar's Crag
for a superb view of the lake,
which is the region's third largest. The writer John Ruskin claimed this to be one of most scenic viewpoints in Europe.
Retrace your steps back to the end of the new theatre car park on your right and cut through to Borrowdale Road. Continue along the roadside until you come across a well-trodden path on the grass verge that leads down to the water's edge. The path is lined by hedgerows supporting a diverse range of insect wildlife and runs down across Stable Hills until it meets Calf Close Bay where you can walk along the pebbled waterfront.
Following the water's edge for about another mile takes you past Ashness and on to the outcrop at Barrow Bay where you can settle down to a family picnic and watch the range of watersport activities out on the lake. Derwent Water is a broad lake, some 11/4 miles across at its widest part, ringed by mountain peaks and dotted with little tree-clad islands.
• If you don't fancy a picnic, return to Borrowdale Road and head back into town for lunch instead.
Lunch break
The George pub at 3 St John's St, just off the top end of Market St, is easy to find if you return via Borrowdale Rd. A pleasant, relaxing old inn with a connection to Wordsworth, it serves Jennings Bitter, Cumberland, Cocker Hoop and Sneck Lifter, all on handpump. The lunch menu includes
home-made soup, sandwiches and a traditional ploughman's platter. The George is open between 12pm-2.30pm and 6pm-9.30pm.
2. Tarn Hows
In the car, turn left from Derwent Water Camping and Caravanning Club Site onto Crow Park Road, then right onto the main road through Keswick town centre, the A5271, which meets the southbound A591 Penrith road at 11/2 miles. Enter Ambleside at a little over 15 miles, then follow the one-way system for Coniston on the A593, cross the humpbacked bridge and take the first left onto the B5286. After another mile, turn right, then soon after right again, following the signpost for the Drunken Duck Inn. Continue past Knipe Fold then turn right for Tarn Hows, arriving at 23 miles.
Leave the car in the National Trust parking area here, then cross the road and set out on the smooth track that forms a gentle walk around the lake.
There are many benches around the water's edge, ideal for those who wish to sit and gaze at some
of Lakeland's favourite peaks, including the Old Man of Coniston, Wetherlam and, on a cloudless day, Helvellyn. The
tarn itself is dotted with islands
and surrounded by conifer woodland. The circular route needs few directions.
Tarn Hows is one of the most
visited beauty spots in the Lake District. It was originally created to supply water to a saw mill in Yewdale, and was later owned by a Mrs William Heelis, better known as Beatrix Potter, who sold half to the National Trust to recover the cost of the purchase, and bequeathed the remainder.
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WALK NO.1
Distance 4 miles
Time 2-31/2 hours
Start/finish Derwent Water Camping and Caravanning
Club Site
Terrain Some paved surfaces, gentle slopes
Suitable For all the family
Refreshment
The George
3 St John's St, Keswick
Tel 01768 772076
Information
Keswick Tel 01768 772645
WALK NO. 2
Distance 13/4 miles
Time 30 minutes-2 hours
Start/finish Derwent Water Camping and Caravanning
Club Site
Terrain Good, level walking surface
Suitable For all the family
Information
Ambleside Tel 01539 432582
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