Brockhole on Windermere grounds

Overview

Brockhole on Windermere is an Arts and Crafts villa and estate on the shores of Windermere in the Lake District. Although the house itself is not open to the public, you can explore the historic grounds and gardens absolutely free of charge.

The location of Brockhole is breathtaking, offering stunning 360-degree views of everything the Lake District National Park is famous for, including spectacular mountains and beautiful lake vistas. From the gardens, you can see Windermere, the Langdale Pikes, Pike of Stickle, and Harrison Stickle.

Free activities at Brockhole on Windermere

You can have an incredible day out for the whole family at Brockhole on Windermere without spending a penny.

Walk in the grounds

There are around 30 acres of glorious historical gardens and grounds to explore. Pack yourself a picnic in the self-catering kitchen at YHA Ambleside and pick your favourite spot to enjoy it – you’ll be spoilt for choice.

The kitchen gardens which Thomas Mawson designed back in the 19th century have been lovingly restored and are a highlight of the gardens.

There’s a circular route around the grounds which starts at the bottom of the main car park and then follows paths past the water sports area and the white summerhouse, before returning to the starting point. It’s a short stroll of just under a mile (1.5km). Paths along the route are accessible for pushchairs, wheelchairs, and class 2 or 3 mobility scooters.

Walks for children

If you’re exploring with children, you may wish to explore one of the trails. Activity sheets are available to purchase from the Lakeshore Activity Cabin and include fun things to do, such as brass rubbings and drawing. Trails include:

Beatrix Potter Trail
Trail of Traditional Treasure
William Wordsworth Trail
Brock Goes House Hunting
The Tree Trail
Orienteering courses

Swimmer wearing a wetsuit wading into a lake

Wild swimming

You can head to the shores of Windermere for a quick dip or a little paddle. If you fancy trying wild swimming, remember to bear in mind the conditions and take local advice. Always swim with a buddy and take a float.

There are several secluded beaches along Windermere to choose from, where you can relax and dry off post-swim.

Adventure playground

The adventure playground at Brockhole on Windermere is suitable for children of all ages, from toddlers through to young teenagers. The highlight is the galleon boat at the centre of the playground, where kids can pretend to be pirates sailing on the high seas.

You’ll find plenty for adventurous kids, including rope walks, slides, swings, scramble nets, and even a zip line.

The play area has been created using natural timber and fits in well with the surrounding fells. There is seating nearby, so adults can sit and watch the children burn off some excess energy or unpack a picnic for the whole family.

There are canopies above providing shade as well as protection, should the heavens open.

Additional activities

Although the grounds at Brockhole on Windermere are free to visit, there are some additional activities that you can do there for a fee. These include:

Boat hire
Archery
Mini golf
Kayak tours
Treetop adventures at Zip World
Garden tours
Laser tag
Axe throwing

There is also a café serving refreshments and a gift shop.

History of Brockhole house

Built towards the end of the 1800s, Brockhole house was initially intended as a holiday home for silk merchant William Gaddum and his wife, Edith, who was the cousin of the famous children’s author and illustrator, Beatrix Potter.

Revered architect Dan Gibson designed the house, with the gardens created by Thomas Mawson, an acclaimed landscape designer. Brockhole was sold in 1946 and became a rehabilitation centre for the Merseyside Hospital Board before being acquired by the Lake District National Park Authority in 1966.

In 1969, it opened as the first National Park Visitor Centre in the UK.

How to get to Brockhole-on-Windermere from YHA Ambleside

Brockhole-on-Windermere is approximately 1.6 miles (3.2 kilometres) from YHA Ambleside, and there are several options for getting there.

Walking: Walking from the Youth Hostel should take just under 40 minutes.

By boat: Windermere Lake Cruises boats operate from Ambleside to Brockhole on Windermere throughout the year. The boat is a fun activity in itself, so you can tick two things off in one. You can catch the boat from Ambleside Pier (Waterhead), which is literally a stone’s throw from the Youth Hostel.

By bus: It’s around a 10-minute journey to Brockhole from YHA Ambleside via bus. The 599, 505, and 555 all serve this route, and you can catch the bus from Waterhead Inn for Pier, about a five-minute walk from the hostel.

Driving: Driving takes approximately five minutes, depending on traffic. Parking at Brockhole on Windermere is a pay-and-display car park, which has limited spaces and can get very busy during weekends and school holidays.

There is charging available for electric vehicles. There are disabled car parking spaces near the adventure playground.