Allerdale Ramble
Explore the stunning scenery of the Lake District on this wonderful trail.
The trail begins at Seathwaite at the foot of the stunning Great Gable mountain. The route then heads through Borrowdale to Keswick, climbing Castle Crag and passing Catbells on the way. You then pass the stunning Derwent Water and Bassenthwaite Lake on your way to Cockermouth.
The trail then heads to the coast at Maryport where the final stretch takes you along the lovely Cumbrian Coastline to Silloth. The Maryport to Allonby Walk along the Cumbria Coastal Way can also be linked with in this area.
Allerdale Ramble Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Allerdale Ramble Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Allerdale Ramble OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Allerdale Ramble Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
On the western side of Derwenwater, near Catbells, you will find the delightful Lingholm Kitchen. It's one of the premium refreshment stops on the route and well worth some further investigation. The splendid cafe also includes the Kitchen gardens which Beatrix Potter credited as her inspiration for Mr McGregor’s garden in The Tale of Peter Rabbit. The Victorian style garden has herbaceous borders while it’s central areas are for vegetable production that is then served fresh daily in the Kitchen. Within the walled garden there is the splendid bonus of an outdoor gallery dedicated to Beatrix Potter’s work in the Derwentwater area, much of it undertaken whilst she stayed at Lingholm. The gallery takes a journey through her years at Lingholm and the Northern Lakes and how she wrote and illustrated some of her best known stories here. From the kitchen there are tremendous views towards the surrounding mountains. It's a lovely place to get a bite to eat and then enjoy a little stroll around the gardens afterwards.
Also on the estate is an Alpaca Farm where you can take part in feeding time and ask the keepers all about these beautiful animals.
The Borrowdale Gates Hotel is located on the route in Grange, just south of Derwentwater. The hotel is in a lovely spot and includes a terrace and some pretty gardens with fine views of the surrounding fells. During the colder months, open log fires are lit in the lounges all day, providing warmth and cosiness for reading and drinks. The restaurant is open to non residents and includes panoramic windows offering captivating fell views to complement the imaginative menu. It's a fine place to enjoy a meal and then stroll around the pretty gardens surrounding the hotel. You can find the Borrowdale Gates in Grange at postcode CA12 5UQ.
In Allonby there's the 17th century Ship Inn. They serve good quality food and also provide rooms if you wish to stay in the area.
Notably the authors Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins stayed there in 1857. Dickens described The Ship as "a capital little homely inn looking out upon the sea...a clean nice place in a rough wild country". You can find them on the Main Street at postcode CA15 6QF for your sat navs. The inn is dog friendly if you have your canine friend with you.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
Another notable route attraction can be found near Catbells at Brandlehow Park, considered the birthplace of the National Trust. The lakeside park has some interesting wooden sculptures including the cupped hands (below) which commemorates the centenary of the National Trust's first ever land purchase, 108 acres of the Brandlehow estate. Octavia Hill, one of the founders of the Trust, planted a tree at the official opening of Brandelhow to the public in October 1902. It's another very pleasant place for a stroll, with peaceful woodland paths and lots of interesting flora and fauna. Look out for kingfishers, woodpeckers, nuthatches, roe deer, red squirrels and, if you're very lucky, perhaps even an otter.
Above: The wooden sculptures in Brandlehow Park. You will often see children climbing on them!
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Allerdale Ramble heading down through High How Woods heading towards Grange
Millbeck from the Allerdale Ramble Footpath. Here the path runs down off Carl Side and drops steeply down Doups into Millbeck.
Under Barkbeth Hill above High Side
Thornthwaite Forest
Ascending The Edge to Ullock Pike. The Allerdale Ramble follows this well defined path up to Ullock Pike which can be seen in the middle distance.
Old mine. An ancient technique known as a 'Stope' and is literally a slot cut into the hillside to follow the ore vein. It is immediately below the road where the 'Allerdale Ramble' path drops down from 'Catbells' onto the roadway.