Turn back the clock to mid June 2014, it’s my birthday and a good opportunity for a week off work!
My base was the Watermill Inn in Ings, near Staveley. A lovely pub/brewery/bed and breakfast. The rooms were clean and comfortable, food was tasty with good sized portions. They also produce their own beers in the brewery that can be seen from the bar area.
The first walk was about 12 miles, starting at the single track road on the opposite side of the A591 to the Watermill.
The circular route via Kentmere and Stavely passes the Hawkshead brewery.
The path up to Kentmere goes past Kentmere Hall which you can identify from it’s tower. The hall was a fortification built in the 13th – early 14th centuries as protection from the Scottish.
This walk, while rather long, wasn’t too challenging, just the occasional few hills and, on the whole, the footpaths were well marked. As the map shows, there are a number of variations, for example an alternative would be to take the path along side the river.
A copy of the walk is available from the ViewRanger website.
Day 2 and the weather was fantastic which suited the walk I had planned over School Knott to Windermere.
This walk is around 8 miles which includes heading down to the lake. The views are fantastic!
It’s not a particularly challenging walk. School Knott peak is only 232m (760 feet)
I started the walk by following the road/track opposite The Watermill Inn.
Once under the railway bridge, there are a few paths which can be taken, I took the third path to the right just as the road forks to the left. This headed to Yews where I crossed over the road, rejoining it again a short time later and following it to Hags End.
Here I joined the Dales Way, a long distance path from Ilkley to Windermere – something which is on the ‘to do list’!
After taking in the birdseye view over Lakeland, take the path down towards the outskirts of Windermere and zig zag through the streets to the lake.
Windermere and Bowness on Windermere didn’t have much to hold my interest, personally, I think the lake is best viewed from above.
The return leg ‘started’ at Droomer Lane, initially retracing my steps, however, where the path forks, take the left to avoid another climb up School Knott and instead head to School Knott Plantation.
Follow the road for a short distance then head on through Whasdike wood, shortly after you rejoin the road back to Ings.
View this route on ViewRanger‘s web site.
As well as the Android phone mapping app, I also took
OS Explorer OL7 The English Lakes – South Eastern area (OS Explorer Map)
Black Pudding Gaiters 
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