Allan Bank Woodland Walk
Formally the home of William Wordsworth, owned by the National Trust, Allan Bank has only been open to the public since springtime 2012. The previous year a fire badly damaged a wing of the building with water and smoke affecting much of the rest. Renovation continues whilst it is open. The house and grounds overlook the village of Grasmere.
During the winter and spring of 2012/13 the Rangers created a short but interesting woodland trail. This is well marked by posts with a red band, or by the path simply being lined with logs.
Parking at the house is limited to disabled folk only. There are numerous car parks down in the village, as well as a regular bus service. The 555 between Ambleside and Keswick comes through, as does the 599 open-top summer service from Bowness.
The long driveway to Allan Bank starts opposite the village green immediately to the left of the Miller Howe Cafe. Take the lane, cross the cattle grid or take the gate on the left, and into the grounds. Follow the driveway up the slope and through the gate to the house.
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Thank you for your support
Paul and Beth
Sunshine on Allan Bank and Stone Arthur
Jessie in the leaves, Allan Bank
- Maps:
50K: 90
25K: OL7
- Start:
- NY333077 (get directions via Google Maps)
- Near to:
- Ambleside, Grasmere, Grasmere village, Keswick
- Tags:
- circular
- Distance:
- 1.1km (0.7 miles)
- Ascent:
- 60m
- Min. time:
- 0 hrs 19 mins
- View in 3-D:
-
- Terrain:
- 2 - rough
- Bog Factor:
- 1 - none
- Tech Diff:
- 1 - easy
Mostly gravel paths with moderately steep steps. Stout outdoor shoes or boots recommended. - Dog issues:
- You may encounter cattle.
Very occasionally cows will be found in the parkland through which the driveway passes to the house.
Purchases:
Buy walk in Adobe/PDF format to print or for your phone or tablet
Buy route for your GPS
Route Description
Start behind the small chapel which is next to the disabled parking area. Turn right beside the information board and go up the steep steps running right to left. Bear right to continue climbing more steps, or in autumn kick through the knee deep leaves hiding the steps! Go through the Victorian viewing tunnel, for the full effect look back once inside the tunnel for the view.
Allan Bank Chapel and woodlands
Start of the Woodland Walk, Allan Bank
Allan Bank and the view to Grasmere
At the other end of the tunnel turn right back on yourself and climb the steps, then right again to go over the tunnel. Much of the rest of the path is made of gravel lined with tree trunks or branches. Meander up through the trees to the viewpoint amongst the tree canopy.
Woodland Walk, Allan Bank
Helm Crag from Allan Bank
Woodland viewpoint, Allan Bank
Continue on the path along a few short sections of terraced path which bring you to the furthest reaches on a small knoll. It is obvious you cannot continue ahead so the path turns sharp left and descends steeply down steps.
Another little meander brings you to the walled garden area. Continue ahead to the front of the house.
Through the woodland, Allan Bank
Steps down in the woods, Allan Bank
Grasmere and Loughrigg from Allan Bank
If you like this walk then why not try one of our other nearby walks:
Unless otherwise stated the text in this walk is the copyright of Hug Solutions Ltd trading as The Hug and the photographs are the copyright of Elizabeth Oldham. Hill data is derived from Database of British and Irish hills which is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. Maps contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2011 and paths © OpenStreetMap Contributors,CC-BY-SA, 2011