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Fell Foot
Lakeshore park with stunning mountain views, Boathouse cafe, watersports hire and play area
Newby Bridge, Windermere, Cumbria, LA12 8NN
Important notice
21/02/2025 - The strong winds have eased and Fell Foot is now open. The cafe will re-open at lunchtime.
Wind gusts are still higher than normal so please maintain caution as you move around the park.
Opening times for 21 February 2025
Asset Opening time Park 09:00 - 16:00 Boathouse Café 10:00 - 16:00 Out of hours vehicle access available for Active base members. Park closed 25 December. Café closed 24-25 December.
MTWTFSS27282930311234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272812OpenPartially openClosedAdventure playground/play area
Outdoor play area located near the south car park. Swings, climbing frames and small slide.
Family friendly
Café
Boathouse Café with indoor and outdoor seating next to the lake.
Picnic area
There is plenty of space on the grass lawns and picnic benches near the café and along the lakeshore path.
Car park
Parking is free for National Trust members. Parking charges for non-members (£6 for up to 2 hours, £7.50 for up to 4 hours, £9 all day). Cash at machine or card payments can be taken by a member of the welcome team.
Toilet
Dogs allowed
Dogs on leads welcome in the main park, lawns and inside the café. Dogs are allowed off the lead in the meadow, except for when cows are grazing.
Dogs allowed - more informationAccessible toilets in main car park and at the Active Base. Changing Places facility. Wheelchair accessible pathway. Mountain trike available to hire free of charge. Level access to cafe and outdoor viewing platform. Grounds partly accessible, grass and loose gravel paths, steep slopes and undulating terrain.
Accessible route and/or map
Wheelchair accessible pathway.
Accessible route and/or map - more informationInduction loop
In the Visitor Reception hut.
Accessible toilet
Accessible toilets in main car park.
Steps/uneven terrain
Grounds are partly accessible, grass and loose gravel paths, steep slopes, undulating terrain.
Changing Places
Changing Place facility available in the boatshed next to the Boathouse Café. It requires a radar key to access. Please ask in the café if you need to borrow a radar key.
Wheelchairs available
Two pre-bookable all-terrain wheelchairs available on a first come first served basis. One is a manual push all terrain wheelchair with no power assistance and the other is an electric assist push all-terrain wheelchair. Free to hire. Please email fellfoot@nationaltrust.org.uk to at least 48hrs before your visit to enquire about booking.
Designated parking
Accessible parking available in the main car park, south car park and Active Base car park.
By road
If you are arriving by car, we are 1 mile north of Newby Bridge on the A592. Coach access is difficult, booking is essential.
Parking: Follow the signs to the main car park. Pay by cash at ticket machine. Card payments for parking can be taken by a member of the welcome team. Parking charge for non-members (£6 for up to 2 hours, £7.50 for up to 4 hours, £9 all day). Free parking for National Trust members. No need to book entry.
Sat Nav: LA12 8NN
By train
Closest train stations are Grange 6 miles (9.5km) and Windermere 8 miles (13km). If you are traveling on the West Coast Main Line, take a train from Oxenholme-the-Lake District to Windermere station. Fell Foot Park is just a short bus ride. The buses to Fell Foot depart from right outside Windermere train station, see directions by bus section for more information.
By bus
Stagecoach number 6 bus between Windermere, Bowness-on-Windermere, Newby Bridge, Ulverston and Barrow, runs all year. The bus stop is right outside the park entrance - 'Fell Foot Country Park' stop. Please note: Stagecoach journey planner might suggest the X6 bus to Newby Bridge, there is no pavement or pedestrian footpath along that section of the A592, so we don't recommend using that option.
Cycling
By ferry
Windermere Lake Cruises’ Lakeside to Fell Foot ferry runs 25 May to 29 September 2024 and then October half term (19-27 October 2024.)
Planning your visit
Article
Things to see and do in the park at Fell Foot
Take a leisurely walk around the park and meadows and keep an eye out for wildlife including otters, warblers and geese. There's plenty of things to do at Fell Foot.
Article
Visiting Fell Foot with your dog
Fell Foot is a three pawprint rated place. Find out all you need to know about exercising your four-legged friends around the parkland, Windermere’s lakeshore and the south meadow.
Upcoming events at Fell Foot
Find out what's on - Park Run, Beginners hiking skills workshops
Highlights
Park
Family-friendly park ideal for walking along paths next to lake Windermere, paddle sports and canoeing. Lawns with benches offer space for sitting and enjoying the views, picnics, games and the meadow is a haven for dog-walkers.
Boathouse Café
Indoor cosy seating and outdoor benches with views across the lake. Serving drinks, seasonal menu of hot meals, sandwiches and cakes. Dog-friendly. Ice cream parlour in the summer.
Gothic Revival boathouses
Grade II-listed boathouses, which house the café, a Victorian boat winch and Changing Places facility .
Active Base
Modern facility with showers, lockers and underfloor heating. Daily and annual membership available. Clubhouse and venue hire available.
Play area
Outdoor children's play area with swings, climbing frame, small slide. Near to south car park.
Orienteering
There are four orienteering courses at Fell Foot created in collaboration with Lakeland Orienteering Club.
Watersports Equipment Hire
Seasonal rowboat, kayak or paddleboard hire from Fell Foot’s outdoor provider, Stoked Watersports. Something to suit all levels from beginner to seasoned pro.
Spotlight events
February half term
With an outdoor play area, fascinating trees and a lakeshore loop pathway to explore, the park is great place to spend a few hours with the kids this half term. You can bring a picnic if the weather is good, or pop into the café for some tasty food and to warm up by the log burner.
Hiking for Beginners Workshop
What do I need, how do I plan? Develop your skills so you feel more confident going on a walk in the fells.
Things to see and do
Article
Things to see and do in the park at Fell Foot
Take a leisurely walk around the park and meadows and keep an eye out for wildlife including otters, warblers and geese. There's plenty of things to do at Fell Foot.
Article
Family-friendly things to do at Fell Foot
From buggy-friendly lakeshore walks to Gothic boathouses, orienteering and nature trails to explore and England’s largest lake to splash in, there’s something for all ages at Fell Foot, Windermere.
Top trails
Trail
Fell Foot circular heritage trail
Discover the history and heritage of Fell Foot in the Lake District on this circular walk, exploring historic boathouses, a modern Active Base, and 18th-century pleasure grounds and gardens.
Trail
Fell Foot Park Short Loop
Discover this accessible, circular trail around Fell Foot Park taking in views of the fells from Windermere lakeshore in the Lake District.
Eating
Article
Eating at Fell Foot
Whether you're after a coffee to take with you on your walk, brunch or an ice cream treat mid-adventure, you'll be well catered for at Fell Foot.
Outdoor activities
Activity
Watersports & boat hire at Fell Foot
Fell Foot is the perfect place to try out a new activity on Windermere, England's largest lake. With access to the water, the park is ideal for paddling, canoeing and boat hire. See what’s on offer.
Activity
Rowing and canoe clubs at Fell Foot
If you fancy getting out onto the biggest lake in England, growing your social network and getting fit while you’re at it, then a club might be for you. Fell Foot is home to two local clubs: Windermere Rowing Club and Ulverston Canoe Club.
Places to stay
Tanner Brow
Sitting on the western shore of Lake Windermere, this first floor apartment is a cosy retreat.
Holeslack Farmhouse
Contemporary and rustic combine in this Grade II listed farmhouse on the Sizergh estate.
High Strawberry Gardens
A simple lakeside retreat for an uplugged holiday, with a jetty to launch your canoe or kayak in Windermere.
Low Strawberry Gardens
A simple lakeside retreat for an uplugged holiday, with a jetty to launch your canoe or kayak in Windermere.
Trees
A 1930s log and stone cabin high above Lake Windermere with a sun terrace and great views.
Low Wray Campsite
By Windermere, England’s largest lake, surrounded by things to do and places to visit.
The Summer House
A cosy house in the old kitchen garden of Wray Castle with views of stunning scenery all around.
Upcoming events
Event
Pooch Passport
Pooch passport is back! Explore new places with your dog/s until 28 February 2025. Find out more about the scheme and discover dog-friendly places to explore together.
Event
Parkrun at Fell Foot, every Saturday
A simple way to get fit, with a great community at its heart.
Event
Hiking for Beginners Skills Session
Develop your skills so you can feel more confident planning a walk in the hills.
About Fell Foot
Situated at the very southern tip of Windermere, Fell Foot is a family-friendly place to play, explore and relax. Sweeping lawns offer plenty of space for games, picnics and gentle walks. Easy lake access makes the park perfect for paddling, canoeing, paddle boarding and boating. Dogs are welcome in all areas, including the cafe.
History
Article
The history of Fell Foot
Fell Foot was once the setting for a prestigious Lake District villa and has been a recreational estate for over two centuries. Discover more about the previous owners of this Lake Windermere estate.
Our work
Article
Our work at Fell Foot
Discover how the support from Heritage Fund has helped us to restore Fell Foot to its original Victorian design and find out how we care for this beautiful part of the Lake District.
Support us
Volunteer with us
Search for live volunteering opportunities, or register your interest with Fell Foot.