A few Recommended Local Short Walks
1. Moss Eccles Tarn - 2.5 miles 1 hour
From Ees Wyke Cottage leave via the upper gate by our garden. Take a left and then immediate right up the main road. After 20 yards take a left by the play park along the tarmac track. Take this track for approximately 600 yards, keeping left where it forks, the track runs along Esthwaite Water from above. Take the time to enjoy the wonderful views of Estwaite, Grizedale forest, the Coniston fells and Langdale Pikes.
At the bungalow follow the track off to the right and go through the gates at the copse. Follow the track through the field along the edge of the wall. The track rises for about 600 yards to another copse, Here follow the arrow sign off to the right across the field to the far right hand corner. As you pass through the field you will see the tarn off to the left through the trees. Go through the gate in the corner of the field into a wooded area running along the side of the tarn.
Take time to admire the tarn and its delightful lillies - especially in the summer when they are flowering. Beatrix Potter owned the tarn and used to keep a rowing boat on it. Follow the path through the woods and over the wooden walkways. At the far end of the tarn go through a small gate and you will see a rocky outcrop above the tarn. This is a great spot for a sit down and picnic. Just off to the left of this is a small waterfall. Often a small herd of goats will come to check you out.
From the outcrop head down to the path below. If you take the path uphill to the left it will take you off to more tarns and Caiffe Heights - a walk I describe from this point at 2 below. For this walk though head downhill to the right and through the gate. Follow the path for about 1/2 mile past some farm buildings to both the left and then right. As you come down the lane you will see the village emerge in front of you. As you come into the village itself you will see the Tower Bank Arms in front of you. If you are like me and feel you deserve a sit down and a refreshing drink - heres you chance. Alternatively turn right back down the main road past HillTop and Sawrey House - the play park is again on your right. Walk past the play park and take the left hand road back to Ees Wyke Cottage.
2. Claife Heights and the Tarns - approx 6 miles 2.5 hours
For Claiffe Heights follow the instruction above and at the rocky outcrop over Moss Eccles Tarn turn right uphill. There is a signpost for this patth - "For the Tarns and Colthouse". It is a gentle climb for approx 400 yards to the top where you will see Wys E'een Tarn in front of you and 2 smaller tarns to the right. Follow the path around to the right past Wys E'een to your left and a small dam and tarn to your right. Follow the path up 200 yards to the top of the field, go through the gate and into the woods. Again follow the path through the woodland for about 200 yards passing a small shallow tarn to your right in the woods. You will then come to a recently cleared wooded area and the path goes through this cleared area downhill.
About half way down the winding path there is a signpost to showing Hawkshead to your left and Far Sawrey to the right. Unfortunately following the path right to Sawrey at this point is hard because of the damage caused when the woodland was cleared. However you are heading uphill roughly following the stream for 200 yards. Take time to enjoy the views over Lake Windermere to Ambleside. At the top you will come to a woodmans road which winds off to the left However head up the bank in fromt of you to the right along a small track. Follow this uphill for 400 yards to a rocky outcrop with great views over Windermere. The path then starts to go down hill - follow this for about 800 yards and you will rejoin the woodmans road. Cross the track and you will see another path leading through the woods in front of you - note this is before you reach a small shallow tarn on the right of the track.
It is in these woods many people lose their way - however if you remember that Windermere Lake is downhill to your left and you keep heading to your far left without crossing any notable paths or walls you should be OK. You are walking for about about 800 yards through the wood and will come to a signpost showing Sawrey to your right. Follow this path roughly along the wall for about 600 yards (still in the woods). NB You will see some gaps in the wall - for absolutely stunning views over the lake and Windermere town quickly go through the gaps and take it all in.
The path goes through the woods downhill until you come to a gate leading into a an open field with a small tarn on the right. Follow the path round the field for about 400 yards until you come to another gate with a signpost. Take a left to the ferry or right to Far/Near Sarey. We generally take the right and follow the path around the field for another 400 yards and it brings you into Far Sawrey village by the Cuckoo Brow Inn. It is here I lke to have a sit out in the garden and enjoy a drink and a light lunch.
The walk back to Near Sawrey is then along the road to the right of the pub for about half a mile - after about 200 yards there is a path off the road but which runs alongside it which takes you safely back into the village by Hilltop.
3. Tarn Hows - 2 miles - 1 hour
This is one of the most celebrated and popular walks in the Lake District. To get there from Ees Wyke drive into Hawkshead from Sawrey. At Hawkshead take the right turn towards Ambleside. About 1/2 mile from Hawkshead take a left turn at Hawkshead Hall signposted Hawkshead Hill & Coniston. After about 1 mile you enter the hamlet of Hawkshead Hill - take the small road to the right singposed Tarn Hows. at the junction take left and then the immediate right hand road - again signposted Tarn Hows. This is a single track road so drive carefully. Follow the road around for about 3/4 mile. A small car park is to your right. This is a special disabled person parking area so unless this applies to you carry on round. As you turn the fabulous views over the lakeland fells and Tarn Hows comes into view. To the left is the National Trust car park and visitor centre.
Park here - it is pay and display. Walk back across the road and you see the wide and disabled accessible path in front of you. This is a simple circular walk around the tarns which will take a leisurely hour or so. There are many other walks that you can veer off onto on the way round. Be sure to enjoy an ice cream back at the car park on your return.
Ees Wyke Cottage, Near Sawrey, Hawkshead, Cumbria, LA22 OJZ
Contact Sharon: 07794 946379
Email: eeswyke@gmail.com
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