Wansfell, Ambleside

August 16, 2016

Wansfell, Ambleside, Cumbria (also known as Baystones)

This route takes approx. 2 hours – 2 hours 30. (shorter if you’re fit enough)

Bridge House, Ambleside.

From the car park: Rydal Road LA22 9AY…we headed past the Bridge House in Ambleside.

The Bridge House is possibly the most photographed small building in the Lake District, and a popular subject for many artists including Turner. A tiny building, originally an apple store for nearby Ambleside Hall, was built over Stock Beck to escape land tax. Once five mills were driven by the power of Stock Beck and some may still be seen nearby. It is said that once a family with six children lived here in the two rooms!

Stockghyll Force

A simples linear route to the top of Wansfell Pike. The climb to Wansfell Pike over looking the town of Ambleside is steep but stone pitched for much of the way, and your unlikely to get lost or go the wrong direction. The views from the Pike are simply breathtaking and well worth the effort.

Stockghyll Force which you can visit on the way up is on a tributary of the River Rothay, draining eventually into Windermere. (Read my other blog post about it) From here, follow the rough path through the woods (or take the road). Bear right, keeping the beck on your left, and follow the red arrow marker posts.

In approx. 275 yards (once through the gate from the woods on the road over a cattle grid) climb up the stone steps on your right to the stile, with a dog gate, it is signposted “Footpath to Troutbeck via Wansfell Pike”. Follow the path beyond up beside the beck to the gate at the top of the field. Go through and bear left to the bottom of the stone pitch path climbing the fellside. You will eventually make it to the top…huffing and puffing!