Grizedale Forest

I absolutely fell in love with Grizedale Forest over the past weekend. Looking for somewhere new to explore when we visited the other half’s parents, they suggested heading to the forest. Cue some very windy roads and a few moments of «are you sure this is the right way?» — but we found it!
We headed to the visitor centre to take a look at which walk to take. They have both cycling and walking routes, so make sure you’re looking at the right map!!! We decided on the white route, and the helpful member of staff explained that you simply follow the coloured markers — if you lose the colour, it’s time to retrace your steps.
Our walk took about 2 hours overall and was described as moderate, and it’s worth pointing out that it wasn’t wheelchair/​pushchair friendly, so a quick chat with a staff member would be needed to find an accessible route.
The reason I fell in love was a) because of the absolutely stunning weather we experienced and b) the selection of sculptures that can be found on each route. The large keys in trees which played music if you wound them fast enough were a personal favourite, following by the huge stone fox, which actually provided a nice place to rest and admire the valley view.
I feel the downsides sit with the shop, which was overpriced and didn’t seem to stock any drinks (very odd considering the length of some of the walks), and the parking payment. It’s all done automatically by registration plate when you drive in, then you enter it at a paypoint — best have some cash on you as noone has quite thought through that no phone signal = no card reader signal.
There’s bike rental available and the Go Ape course if you need something to keep more active members of your group entertained.
Recommended!

A nice escape from the towns and cities to be at one with nature. A bit too commercial and «set up» for me with respect to biking, with mostly gravel tracks rather than foresty runs along soft piney soil. But not a bad place to go all the same — all quite safe for beginners plus there’s the wooden built routes.

I haven’t been to Grizedale Forest for a few years, but spent quite a lot of summers (and autumns!) there while it was in its early days. There are some wonderful sculptures sited along the various trails and it is exciting to see people’s faces, especially children, when they come across a real unexpected piece such as the tribes of red indians peering round trees or the forest animals made from saplings.
Highly recommended to families and to lovers of both the outdoors and environmental art.

About Grizedale Forest Park
Grizedale Forest Park offers a fantastic day out for the whole family.
About Grizedale Forest Park
Grizedale Forest Park offers a fantastic day out for the whole family.
The park occupies a central location within the Lake District National Park within an area of spectacular scenery.
Opening Hours — June 2009
Visitor centre 10am — 5pm daily.
Ordinance Survey SD 331,944
Bike Shop 10am — 5pm daily
Bike Hire 9.30am — 2pm (last hire) daily
Café in the Forest — 9.30am — 5pm daily
How to get there:
Hawkshead is the nearest town or village.
By Road:
From the North (unsuitable for coaches):
A591 to Ambleside, leave Ambleside A593 to Langdale/​Coniston. First left B5286 to Hawkshead. Bypass Hawkshead follow B5286 south then first right at tourist sign Theatre in the Forest, follow to Grizedale approx 2 miles.
From the South and all coaches:
M6 junction 36 take A591 first exit A590, Barrow follow A590 past Newby Bridge Havethwaite Crossroads, right turn, tourist sign Grizedale Forest Park, follow signs for Satterthwaite/​Grizedale north.

We visited Grizedale forest on our holiday this bank holiday weekend.
We had a bit of a hard time finding it initially (but it was our first time in the area). I a so glad we didn’t give up trying to find it though!
The visitor centre and shops etc, were going through some refurbishment, but this didn’t get in our way at all.
The walks we took (yellow route and blue route, with a bit of white) were great fun and gave us some stunning views.
The yellow route was especially fun as it went under the Go-​Ape aerial assault course area and that was a lot of fun to see.
They have walks to suit all abilities and it’s very easy to spend many hours there.
Great fun for all the family!

This is a great place, been back here a number of times! They have a great selection of colour coded walks, you can buy a map from the visitor centre which will help, and then coloured marker stumps guide your walk so that you don’t get lost. Many different lenghths of walks from short to tough-​going all-​day ones. There are also mountin bike routes aswell, also mapped with colour markers, which we haven’t tried but look just as good fun. I believe mountain bikes can be hired at the centre.
There is ample parking (pay and display), a lovely wooden childrens play area, and much more which we haven’t investigated yet.
When we last went they were lacking an indoor café, however I believe they were in the process of building a nice new one, so this may be up and running now.
A little difficult to find (from the south), but worth persevering.