Loughrigg Fell, Lily Tarn and Rydal Hall • Walking the Cumbrian Mountains

Name of walk	Loughrigg Fell, Lily Tarn and Rydal Hall
Date of walk	2012-05-16
Distance walked (miles)	7
Duration of walk	5 hours 0 minutes
Weather	Sunshine
Peaks on walk	Loughrigg Fell
Walked with	On own
Parking	By Rydal Church

Today I drove to Rydal for a walk up Loughrigg Fell (1099ft) and over to Lily Tarn, parking on the road by the church. I would then descend to Ambleside for a coffee and walk back through Rydal Park to Rydal Hall.

A walk of about 7 miles depending on the detours over Loughrigg Fell. The weather was due to be sunny in the morning, but with increasing cloud and rain in the afternoon.

It was also forecast to be cold and windy. So I started walking early at 8.15am.

The bridge opposite the Badger Bar.

Looking up Rydal Water.

A few swans around today.

Looking over Rydal Water to Nab Scar.

Walking through the bluebell woods.

View across to the boat house.

Loughrigg Fell on the left, Silver How on the right.

Looking back at the Rydal Rhododendrons.

Some good reflections.

This time I went by the higher path, it is not that long since I did a circuit by the lakeside path.

This path takes me up to Rydal Cave......A Panoramic view.

View back out.

Loughrigg Fell on the left as I head along the terrace.

I take the upper path on the left. A good display of bluebells!

Looking back at Rydal Water.

Looking down on Grasmere Weir.

Loughrigg Terrace.

I head up the fell, and take this panorama before reaching the summit. Helm Crag, Steel Fell, Dunmail Raise and Seat Sandal on the right. The Langdale Pikes and Sergeant Man on the left.

Elterwater with the Coniston Fells behind. Centre is Lingmoor and to the right the Scafells, Bowfell, Great End and The Langdale Pikes.

The summit cairn and Windermere. On the way up I overtook a couple from Kent, this was their first fell. They were most impressed with the views.

Beyond the summit cairn is a multitude of up and downs, promentaries, tarns and criss cross paths. I spent some time exploring the various viewpoints. Looking down on Loughrigg Tarn from one viewpoint.

One of the secluded tarns. It was just after this that I met a chap from Minnesota. He was staying with his aunt in Ambleside. We kept re-meeting on the various viewpoints and at Lily Tarn!

Another view in the direction of Loughrigg Tarn from one of the crags.

Looking back over to the summit of Loughrigg Fell (in shade) on the walk up to Lily Tarn.

Lily Tarn. Not the best photostitch, but it gives a better view that one photo does!

A cairn in one of the small tarns.

I took another detour and walked to the end of the fell to look down on Ambleside and Waterhead. I then retraced my steps before heading off left down the main path that eventually leads down to a private road then over Miller Bridge, turning right through Rothay Park, coming out on the road to the school and church.

Windermere.

I stopped off in Ambleside for a coffee and a quick look around Gayners and The Mountain Warehouse. Stockghyll and the Giggling Goose Cafe.

The Bridge House. A national Trust property.

I then headed off through Ambleside turning off at Rydal Park.

When I reached the grounds of Rydal Hall I headed for The Grot. This was built in 1668 as a place to frame and enjoy the lower Rydal Waterfalls. The entrance is via The Quiet Garden.

The view

An unobstructed view of the waterfalls and plunge pool.

Rydal Hall. I have been through the grounds and passed by many times, usually at the end of a walk with no time to spare to have a look around. Today I had all the time in the world!

The formal gardens.

I then followed the sculpture trail in the woods. The sculptures were made of either stone, wood, metal and fabric. This chain link one was interesting. But most I wouldn`t classify as "Art". As far as I`m concerned "good art" requires time and talent, and should never look like it could have been produced by a five year old! Nailing bits of fabric to a tree is not art!

Rydal Church. I had lunch in the grounds which were looking extremely colourful!

One of the Azalea/Rhododendron beds in the church grounds.

As I was driving off it started to rain. So I timed my return home just right! It even got sunnier as I headed towards home. On the way along Windermere I passed the marathon runners doing the “Brathay 10 in 10”.

That is ten marathons in ten days! Rather them than me, especially along these roads, and they were running with their backs to the traffic……mad!

I arrived home mid-afternoon in time to do some gardening!