Walking Country Without the Fuss
One of the best things about the Penrith area is that you don’t need to be a fell runner to enjoy a good walk. Yes, there are serious mountain routes within reach if that’s your thing, but there are also gentle riverside paths, quiet village lanes, and short fell walks that reward you with views completely out of proportion to the effort involved.
Here are our favourite walks near Penrith, organised by how much energy you’ve got.
Easy: Flat and Gentle
Great Strickland Village Circular (3 miles)
Two circular routes of about three miles each start right from the door of Fern Cottage and Maple Cottage. These are quiet lanes and footpaths through farmland, with barely any climbing. One route takes you past Abbott Lodge Ice Cream Farm (about 30 minutes on foot), where you can refuel. The other heads towards Larch Cottage Nurseries on a 40-minute footpath through fields. Both are suitable for dogs and older children.
Eamont Bridge Riverside Walk
From Rittson Cottage, you can walk along the River Eamont on a flat, grassy path. It’s a peaceful stroll — herons on the river, the sound of water over stones. The Beehive pub is three minutes from the cottage if you need fortification before or after.
Pooley Bridge Lakeside
The path along Ullswater’s northern shore from Pooley Bridge is flat and well-maintained. Walk as far as you like and turn back. On a calm day, the reflections on the lake are extraordinary. Pushchair-friendly for the first mile or so.
Moderate: A Bit of a Climb
Hallin Fell (45 minutes up, 30 minutes down)
This is the walk we recommend more than any other. Hallin Fell is a small, steep hill on the eastern shore of Ullswater, and the summit views are among the best in the Lake District. The whole lake stretches out below you, with the Helvellyn range rising behind. It takes about 45 minutes to climb and the path is clear. Not suitable for pushchairs, but older children (seven and up) manage it well.
Aira Force and Gowbarrow Park
Most visitors walk to Aira Force waterfall and turn back. If you continue uphill through Gowbarrow Park, you reach open fellside with panoramic views of Ullswater and far fewer people. The full circuit from the car park is about four miles and takes two to three hours.
Askham to Lowther Castle
A lovely walk from the pretty village of Askham through the Lowther Estate to the castle ruins. About four miles round trip on estate tracks and quiet paths. Relatively flat with gentle hills. You can finish with tea at the castle cafe.
Challenging: Proper Fell Walking
Helvellyn via Striding Edge
The classic Lake District mountain walk. Striding Edge is a narrow ridge scramble leading to the summit of Helvellyn (950m), the third-highest peak in England. This is a serious walk — allow six to seven hours, bring proper kit, and check the weather. The start point at Glenridding is about 25 minutes from Great Strickland.
Place Fell from Patterdale
A quieter alternative to Helvellyn, Place Fell (657m) gives superb views over Ullswater without the crowds or the scrambling. The circular route from Patterdale takes about four hours. A satisfying day’s walking.
The Pub Finish
Every walk is improved by a pub at the end. From our cottages:
- Strickland Arms — 200 yards from Fern and Maple Cottages. Dogs welcome.
- The Beehive — 3 minutes from Rittson Cottage. Good food, good beer.
- Various in Pooley Bridge — after any Ullswater walk. The Sun Inn is reliable.
Stay and Walk
Our cottages near Penrith put you at the centre of some of the best walking in England. Fern Cottage and Maple Cottage have routes straight from the door, while Rittson Cottage is right on the river. Book direct with Cottage Collection for the best rates and start planning your walking holiday.