Holme Wood is beautiful and quiet, right next to the small lake, Loweswater. The short walk to Holme Force Waterfall is a lovely, road-free space for children to run around and a lovely place to immerse yourself in nature. There are plenty of streams near the route, which little ones will enjoy paddling in. Our little girl was also very excited to take on the responsibility of opening all the gates!
From the lay-by, use the gate at the western end to join a path across three fields. Turn left along a small lane. Just after the buildings at Hudson Place, choose the left-hand option of the two gates. Follow the path that runs alongside Loweswater, which leads you to Holme Woods.
About 300 yards after entering the woods follow the track on the right. At this point, the kids loved following the trail and listening for the sound of the water growing louder and louder as we got closer to the waterfall. The trial gets a little steep here, but this is the final part before Holme Force’s main waterfall. When you arrive, the beautiful Holme Force Waterfall cascades down a rocky ghyll.
We didn’t have our picnic at the falls, because our little one was keep to keep exploring and didn’t understand that dangers of the rushing water. So we walked back down the slope of the forest trail and had our picnic in the woods.
The Practical Stuff
- Location: Near Loweswater, in the western Lake District.
- Parking: There is a small lay-by on the road near the start of the trail, CA13 0SU.
- Difficulty: Easy (approx. 1.5 miles, with a slight gradient).
- Facilities: There are no toilets, cafes, or visitor centres nearby, so come prepared!
- Pram-friendly?: No, the woodland trail is not suitable for prams, but it is a great walk for toddlers who are confident on their feet.