Please be aware of a number of closures across the Ennerdale valley
1) The Memorial foot bridge over the River Liza opposite Pillar was blown off its foundations in Storm Eowyn and has been removed. Please cross the River Liza using Middle Bridge.
2) The bridleway bridge across Woundel Beck has been replaced and is now open again.
Cover image © Alex Hyde Rewilding Britain
Visit Ennerdale
The Ennerdale Valley is located in the north western corner of the famous Lake District National Park. It is a secluded valley which offers visitors a tranquil experience and a sense of wildness which are increasingly rare in this busy urban world we live in.
Ticks and Lyme Disease.
Please check your self for ticks after you have visited the valley. For more information on Ticks and Lyme Disease please visit Lyme Disease Uk
Bowness Knott Car Park Pay and Display
Please note that Bowness Knott car park is now pay and display. For charges please see the Forestry England Bowness Knott page. If you are a regular visitor you can take advantage of the Forestry England Annual Membership which costs £25.00 per year and gives you free parking at Bowness Knott for a year.
Grazing Animals
Cattl pigs and sheep graze large parts of the Ennerdale valley. In the forest, valley bottom and fell east of the lake, Galloway cattle and a small group of pigs freely roam in low numbers all year round. Galloway cattle are known for being placid and calm. Here are some tips to help you enjoy your walk:
- Do not feed or touch the animals
- Don't shout at the pigs, they are very sensitive to loud noises
- Make sure that the animals know that you are there
- If an animal is startled do not run!
- Avoid getting between cows and their calves and / or splitting the herd
- Keep small children close to you
- Keep dogs under control
For further information please pick up a copy of You and Your dog in the Countryside leaflet which is full of useful information.
Valley Guide Map
The Wild Ennerdale valley guide map is now available from the Gather in Ennerdale Bridge or Whinlatter Visitor Centre near Keswick. This map cleverly folds into a pocket size and brings together all our previous guides. Printed version are sold for £1.50 alternatively you can download a free pdf version . Thank you to Cumbria County Council Community Grant support.
By Road
The Ennerdale Valley is accessible via road with two car parks located at the western edge of the valley. Vehicle access beyond Bowness Knott is limited to people who live and work in the valley. Bowness Knott Gate is locked with a combination lock.
Visitors staying at YHA Ennerdale and Low Gillerthwaite Field Centre can take their vehicle up the valley and park at the accommodation car park. The combination will be given to you when you book. Please lock the padlock after driving through, abide by the 15mph speed limit and give way to other road users. Please do not stop and park along the route.
Visitors staying at YHA Black Sail must leave their vehicles at Bowness Knott car park. You will be issued with a window permit by the YHA.
Car Parks
Bleach Green - 1.5 miles from facilities at Ennerdale Bridge. Access to Ennerdale Views trail, Round The Lake path and lake shore cycle path to Bowness Knott.
Postcode: CA23 3AS,
Grid ref: NY 085 154
W3W: tree.giving.eclipses
Bowness Knott - 3.1 miles walk/bike via lakeshore path from facilities at Ennerdale Bridge. Access to Smithy Beck trail, Round the Lake path and forest roads up the valley.
Postcode:CA23 3AU
Grid ref: NY109153
W3W: puddles.including.brew
Bleach Green car park is free. Forestry England have introduced parking charges to Bowness Knott car park in line with other landowners across the Lake District to help look after the area. Charges are: £2 for 1 h, £3.5 for 2h, £5 for 4h and £8 for all day. Annual membership £25. See Forestry England for more details.
By bike
C2C Cycle Route (NCN 71) comes to Cauda Brow (2½ miles from Bowness Knott car park)
Cycle route information You can cycle around the lakeshore between Bleach Green and Bowness Knott Car Parks as well as along any of the forest roads in the valley. Please see our Visitor Guide Map
Public Transport
Whitehaven Rail Station 7½ miles from Ennerdale, which is served by trains from Carlisle and Lancaster. Penrith Rail Station 40 miles from Ennerdale, has bus connections (X4 and X5) to Ennerdale via Cockermouth. Bus Service 217 to Kirkland from Cockermouth (Monday and Wednesdays only) . Kirkland is a 2 mile (1 hour) walk from Ennerdale Water.
The Gather Cafe and Shop
The Gather is a community owned and managed Information centre, shop and café located in the village of Ennerdale Bridge just to the west of Wild Ennerdale.
In addition to a café the building provides a community space for meetings events and activities and a local gym. The shop stocks visitor guides, walking and camping essentials for those tackling the Coast to Coast walk or just visiting for the day. The Gather café provides delicious locally sourced and prepared food, light bites, wonderful coffee and other refreshments. A great meeting place before you visit Ennerdale or somewhere to finish the day off after a long walk, ride or just for a chat.
For more information visit The Gather Cafe and Shop.
Wild Ennerdale Support
The Wild Ennerdale Partners have been supporting The Gather from its origin, helping with developing the vision, early ideas and plans, planning and presentation, designing and funding internal display panels, providing tree and hedge plants and shelters. The site was a former Forestry England office which is leased to the Community Hub Charityable Trust for a peppercorn rent.
Accommodation
Ennerdale Valley offers much to explore so why not stay overnight in the valley and experience the splendour of Pillar lit up by the setting sun or the sunrise over Great Gable casting shadows across the Drumlins of Blacksail.
Within the valley and local area there is a range of accommodation available including two YHA's, a Bothy, a Field Centre, Pubs and Bed & Breakfast.
Blacksail Youth Hostel
Iconic car free hostel at the remote east end of the valley.
Blacksail Youth Hostel - Situated at the eastern end of the valley Blacksail is a converted shepherds bothy offering two 4 and one 8 bedded rooms, self catering or breakfast, packed lunch and evening meal provided. Other facilities include Sitting/dining room, self-catering kitchen and shower. Limited shop. No access for cars.
Ennerdale Youth Hostel - Situated half way up the valley Ennerdale YHA provides 4 star accommodation in three 4 and two 6 bedded rooms. self catering breakfast, picnic lunch and evening meal. Other facilities include common room, self-catering kitchen & drying room.
Low Gillerthwaite Field Centre - Situated half way up the valley the Low Gillerthwaite Field Centre is run by its members for the benefit of all. The Centre offers dormitory accommodation and self catering for groups of up to 40 people - contact the Warden for details of availability and costs.
Ennerdale Pubs - There are two pubs , The Fox and Hounds and The Shepherds Arms, located in Ennerdale Bridge both offer accommodation and food
Ennerdale Scout Camp - Ennerdale Scout camp offers a great location on the western shore of Ennerdale Water with good parking and is ideal for groups visiting Ennerdale.
There are many other accommodation providers around Ennerdale which you can find through Trip Advisor, Airbnb, Sykes Cottages, Lake District Holiday Cottages, Sally's Cottages and Cumbrian Cottages.
