Using The National Trust in The Lake District
The National Trust now cares for over 20% of the land in The Lake District national park, which includes keeping paths maintained, having car parks and some of the best places to see and do in The Lake District. Some of the places we go out for the day or love seeing are maintained by the National Trust and wouldn’t be as accessible or enjoyable without the hard work they do.
I will run through four of the fantastic places we have here in The Lake District you can visit that are run or maintained by The National Trust.
Hill Top, the home of Beatrix Potter
The home of the Peter Rabbit author, Beatrix Potter, Hill Top is a quaint little cottage with an endearing little garden that has belonged to The National Trust in The Lake District for many years.
You can follow the Peter Rabbit trail and learn about the inspiration behind the books and now films! It’s hard not to be inspired by the beautiful countryside around Hill Top in the time-capsule that is Beatrix Potters old home. Perfect for the family to try and find Jemima Puddleduck and Tom Kitten too!
Aira Force Waterfalls
Sat on the shores of Ullswater, Aira Force is a mighty impressive waterfall standing with a 65ft drop. The walk up to it is almost like a fairy glen and you can make it as long or as short as you would like, even taking in Wainwright Fell along the way! For National Trust members the parking is free and you can start and finish lots of walks here. For a quieter time of the day, get there early then you can beat the crowds and pick up a snack at the cafe too!
Sizergh Castle
Set in a very sizable 1,600 acre estate, Sizergh house and gardens are a lovely day trip for the whole family. Still lived in by the Strickland family, the grand old house certainly feels lived in with lots of stories to tell too. Just outside Kendal, this is the perfect place to visit on your way in or out of The Lake District, or if you are looking for something to do in the South Lakes for the day. Sites owned by the National Trust in The Lake District don’t get much more beautiful than Sizergh Castle.
Seatoller Car Park
Set in the shadow of England’s tallest mountain, Scafell Pike, Seatoller is the perfect village to start and finish walks of all grades of difficulty and having a National Trust car park is ideal. From here you can walk up the smallest Wainwright Fell (but one of my favourites,) Castle Crag or through the valley along rivers to waterfalls and wild swim spots. You really are in the centre of it all here ready for any adventure!
Ashness Bridge and Surprise View
Just down the Borrowdale Valley sits some of the greatest views in The Lake District and , Thanks to The National Trust, you can park so close to them so they are accessible to everyone.
Ashness Bridge is a wonderful stream with a series of wonderful small waterfalls set under Walla Crag. The car park is about 200m away from the bridge which has become iconic from the early pioneering photographs of The Lake District by The Abraham Brothers. Now it’s a popular spot for a fantastic view over Derwentwater to Skiddaw.
My personal favourite, shhh don’t tell the rest, would be Surprise View. Just five minutes up the single track road from Ashness Bridge is another gem from The National Trust in The Lake District. As you round the bend and pull in to the gravel car park you can cross the road and walk five metres to one of the most spectacular views in The Lake District.
It takes your breath away and whilst being up there I’ve seen amazing sunsets, friends and families enjoying time together and even a few marriage proposals! It’s so romantic and serene up there, you would forget your everyday worries. It’s all maintained by The NAtional Trust in The Lake District and it’s them we have to than that we can use these wonderful places.
There are so many other Car parks maintained by The National Trust in The Lake District that mean no parking on roads or expensive car parks elsewhere. They are all well maintained and many have toilet blocks too. Find out more information in the link below.
Have fun wherever you go and whatever adventures (of cheeky rabbits) you find!
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