The village is really a collection of hamlets strung out over a mile along the picturesque little valley lane, and we are happy to be able to offer some truly excellent and characterful places to stay in the Lake District. The scenery here is green and stunning, and dipping off the main Lake District thoroughfare takes you into a rustic land of traditional slate cottages, rolling fields scattered with sheep, and winding lanes flanked by stone walls and hedgerows, surrounded by towering fells and ridges. You will find yourselves in prime walking country, and blessed with many attractions and things to do in Troutbeck during your stay, and in the area round about. The valley is well positioned to let you access Bowness-on-Windermere, Ambleside, and the central Lake District, as well as the beautiful valley of Ullswater. This is a pastoral gem, a home from home, secluded from the modern, urban world, yet close enough to the larger Lakeland villages that you never need feel cut off, or stuck for what to do while in Troutbeck.
A very pretty church in the centre of the Troutbeck valley. Quite an ancient structure, it was full disassembled and reconstructed in the 1700’s. It is notable for its stained glass, which was mostly designed and made by Sir Edward Burne-Jones and the father of the arts-and-crafts movement, William Morris. We recommend a stroll on country paths up from the church to the Mortal Man Inn, and perhaps a drink in its wonderful beer garden.
The Lakeland Horticultural Society are proud to present this beautiful garden near the mouth of the Troutbeck valley. Holehird Gardens sprawl over several acres of hillside, and include a lovely walled garden and a miasma of paths through a tremendous collection of shrubs and trees, with terrific views all round. – www.holehirdgardens.org.uk
This is a rustic Lakeland farmhouse, superbly preserved by the National Trust. The Browne family who inhabited Townend were a typical farming family, and you can explore the farmhouse kitchen with its roaring fire and antique tools, and see their internationally significant selection of books. This is a real historical gem, a window into old Lakeland, and not to be missed out when you are making your plans for what to do in Troutbeck. – http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/townend
Troutbeck is one of the stomping grounds of Kankku, who offer off-road adventure in specialised 4×4 vehicles around the Lake District. You can drive yourselves, and this is a wonderfully action-packed way to experience the landscape. Their offices are located in Windermere, a little distance downhill from the train station. – http://www.kankku.co.uk
If you have taken your fill of exercise and glorious scenery, you may wish to enjoy the sunshine in one of the many beer gardens in the surrounding area. The Mortal Man Inn in Troutbeck itself has a charming garden in a beautiful setting, and the tables outside the Kirkstone Pass in at the very top of the valley, en route to Ullswater, provide incredible view towards Ambleside and Lake Windermere. In Ambleside, The Wateredge Inn’s garden at Waterhead in Ambleside is superbly placed right by the lake, as is that of the YHA, and the Angel Inn and Ship Inn in Bowness are also excellent places to sit out with a cold drink.
Troutbeck is peacefully situated in the hill-country to the east of the main artery of the Lakes, the A591, and though you will not be short of things to do in Troutbeck and around the valley itself, it is well placed for joining this scenic road and exploring the wider area. The northward route is famous for its exceptional scenery, and passes the villages of Ambleside and Grasmere, both of which must be visited. Ambleside is a hub for walkers and climbers, while Grasmere is famous for its connection with William Wordsworth. Passing Thirlmere still further north brings you to Keswick and the Northern Lakes. You can also easily pass through Bowness and follow the eastern shore of Windermere south to Newby Bridge, with Lakeside and the Lakes Aquarium close by. Troutbeck is also excellently situated to give access north-east over the stunning and precipitous Kirkstone Pass, with the Kirkstone Pass Inn at its top, and over to Ullswater, possibly the most beautiful water in the region, where landscape scenes were filmed for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The A591 can take you to the larger market town of Kendal if you head south along it, and to the south of Bowness the Lyth Valley is worth visiting for its tranquility and charming green and rolling hills. We strongly recommend a guided tour to help you appreciate our beautiful region fully, and one option in this respect is The Mountain Goat, which offers minibus tours covering all areas of the Lake District, including a ‘Ten Lakes Spectacular’. – http://www.mountain-goat.co.uk
Leave the M6 motorway at junction 36 and pass by Kendal, continuing towards Windermere and Ambleside. Troutbeck can be found by passing Windermere village on the A591 and taking the first available right-hand turn at the little roundabout on the A592. You can alternatively choose to arrive at Troutbeck from the north via the A592, in which case you will need to leave the M6 at junction 40 and pass by the beautiful shores of Ullswater and over the steep Kirkstone Pass. For train travellers, Windermere rail station is at the end of the branch line from Oxenholme, which sits on mainline near Kendal. Buses run regularly throughout the Lakes, and information can be found by following the link below: http://www.cumbria.gov.uk/roads-transport/public-transport-road-safety/transport/publictransport/busserv/busservmap.asp
