3.9km / 2.4 miles

02 / Lanty's Tarn circular

A short, circular walk to a tranquil tarn offering an optional ascent of Keldas and visiting the Patterdale and Glenridding War Memorial and St Patrick's Well.

/ ESSENTIAL INFO

GRADE    

DISTANCE 3.9KM/2.4 MILES

ASCENT 150M

TIME 1 HR 45 MINS (WALKER)/50 MINS (RUNNER)

START/FINISH GLENRIDDING

START GRID REF NY 386 169

START GPS 54.5438, -2.9491

OS MAP OL5, THE ENGLISH LAKES, NORTH-EASTERN AREA (1:25,000)

/ OVERVIEW

Pine-clad slopes above the southern end of Ullswater conceal a small tarn which is a perfect objective for a leg stretch on a dull day and provides a scenic picnic spot on a hot summer's day. The descent goes through pasture ('sheep in't field') giving views along Grisedale and up to the Helvellyn ridge, then down a lane above a gushing Grisedale Beck - where you may spot red squirrels in the woodland. On the return to Glenridding, the route passes the Patterdale and Glenridding War Memorial and St Patrick's Well. Lanty's Tarn itself is particularly photogenic on a clear, still day, with the glassy surface reflecting blue skies, shades of green, bare trees or russet hues, depending on the season.

Ullswater from Keldas.

/ DIRECTIONS

S From the bridge over the river on the main road (A592) through Glenridding, walk along the lane next to The Corner Shop (signposted Glenridding Public Hall), following the river. Fork left (signposted Lanty's Tarn), then turn left by the houses (signposted Lanty's Tarn and Helvellyn). Cross over a small bridge and turn right. At a small, low footpath sign, turn left and climb up through the trees, passing a bench on the left, and go through a gate. Take the path going right, which meets a gate in a wall.

2 Turn left (do not go through the gate) and continue uphill to a bench. Pause here to look at the view over Ullswater, with Sheffield Pike and Glenridding Dodd to the left of the lake and Place Fell to the right. Further away you may be able to make out Lyulph's Tower and Gowbarrow Fell. Continue, going downhill now, to a gate in the wall on the right, with another gate with a small stile next to it on the left.*

Go through the gate on the right to reach the tarn. The area of hillocks and mossy rocks on the right as you reach the tarn is on access land and provides entertainment for mini scramblers as well as picnic spots with a view towards the Helvellyn ridge. However, this area is not as pleasant when the bracken is high in summer.

View towards Birkhouse Moor and the Helvellyn range from Keldas.

© Crown Copyright and/or database right. All rights reserved. Licence number AC0000809882.

View into Grisedale from hillock near Lanty's Tarn.

3 After you have explored, go to the dam at the end of the tarn and walk downhill for 350m passing a small stream and waterfall (signposted Helvellyn) to a gate. Go through the gate then turn left and walk downhill through a field. Go through the gate at the bottom of the field and cross a bridge over Grisedale Beck. If you are lucky, you may see dippers darting around the water under the bridge. Continue straight ahead to reach a junction with a minor road.

4 Turn left at the junction and follow the lane downhill for 900m towards Grisedale Bridge, keeping a look out for red squirrels in the woodland on the left-hand side. When you meet the junction with the A592 cross the road and turn left. (Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team's base is along the A592 a short distance to the right, with St Patrick's Church a little further along - worth visiting in spring when the daffodils are out.)

5 Cross Grisedale Bridge and walk along the pavement for 100m then turn right on to a path through the trees. After 250m the path meets the road again; cross the road and join a path on the other side. Walk along this path for 300m until you reach the Patterdale and Glenridding War Memorial, which is set in a garden and has a book of remembrance.

6 Shortly after the war memorial cross the road again at St Patrick's Boat Landing and Lakeside Tearooms. (If you want to take a look at St Patrick's Well, turn right and walk a few metres along the road - the road can be busy so please ensure children are supervised and beware of traffic if trying to take photos.) From the boat landing walk along the footpath in the field for around 200m to the road leading to the steamer jetty. Turn left on to this road then turn right on to the A592 and walk past the Ullswater Inn into Glenridding.

/ GOOD TO KNOW

PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND ACCESS

Glenridding is accessible by Stagecoach buses from local towns and villages. The Ullswater Bus runs at weekends and bank holidays from March until November: www.situcumbria.org.uk

The A592 passes through Glenridding; there are pay-and-display car parks in the village.

WHEN TO WALK IT

This walk can be done all year round. The trees around the tarn can provide a nice shady spot on a hot summer's day and its low elevation means it is likely to be clear of snow and ice on those days when the high fells are wearing their winter coats.

TERRAIN AND NAVIGATION

The route is on well-defined paths, although some are stony; it pays to look out for tree roots, which can be slippery when wet. Navigation is straightforward. The route is not accessible for prams or wheelchairs but is stile-free. The last part of the walk is on paths alongside the A592, which is crossed three times.

FACILITIES AND REFRESHMENTS

There are toilets and a tourist information office in Glenridding. In the village you'll also find Catstycam, a well-stocked outdoor supplies shop, and The Corner Shop, for groceries, coffee and ice cream. Places to eat in Glenridding include Fellbites Cafe, Helvellyn Country Kitchen, Fairlight Cafe (also a guest house) and the Travellers Rest pub.

DOGS AND KIDS

This walk will pose no problems for dogs and active children but make sure they are on a lead/closely supervised when walking near the A592 and on lanes. Dogs should be on a lead near livestock. The only steep drops are on the optional ascent of Keldas. It goes without saying that extra care should be taken of youngsters near Lanty's Tarn.

POINTS OF INTEREST

Lanty's Tarn is a natural tarn that was enlarged to provide a water supply to Patterdale Hall. The name is thought to derive from a member of the family that once owned the land, Lancelot (or 'Lanty') Dobson. Patterdale Hall was purchased by the Marshall family in the 1820s. They used the tarn for fishing and also as a source of ice, which was stored in an ice house.

There have been kennels at Grassthwaite Howe below Lanty's Tarn since the late 19th century. The Ullswater Foxhounds are still based here but are by law only allowed to follow a laid trail rather than hunt in the traditional sense. Joe Bowman, who was appointed huntsman in 1879, was the first person to cross a blue-black Border Terrier with a Fell Terrier to create the Patterdale Terrier.

Patterdale Dog Day, a traditional Cumbrian country show, is held over the August Bank Holiday weekend. There are sheep dog trials as well as shows for...