When exploring the area, you might consider taking a more shaded route into Grizedale Forest, located in the heart of the Lake District. The forest offers a wide variety of fun-filled activities and if you’re lucky, you’ll get to see some of the local wildlife, such as foxes, badgers, dragonflies, owls, and deer. Please feel free to bring your furry friends, just remember to keep them on a leash!

The forest is open to visitors every day except Christmas.

How to get to Grizedale Forest

This beautiful forest is located between Windermere Lake and Coniston. There is no public transport that goes to the Visitor Centre, so if you are coming from Ambleside, we suggest driving or cycling following the B5286 south from Clappersgate until Hawkshead, then take the first right at the sign for Grizedale.

What to do at Grizedale Forest

Grizedale offers a wide range of fun-filled activities for everyone! Visitors are spoilt for choice with unique cycling and hiking trails, wildlife spotting, and the popular tree-top adventures at Go Ape Outdoor Centre.

For a perfect family day out, we recommend cycling over in the morning, having a leisurely lunch, taking part in some activities such as hiring forest segways or zip-trekking, and then cycling back in the afternoon.

Walking

Grizedale Forest provides free access to its well-designed woodland tracks, featuring unique art installations to discover while walking through the forest.

Wildflower spotting

Snowdrops are a stunning wildflower that are fun to spot when on walks through Lake District woodland. The closest and best spot to check out is Grizedale Forest, where you should find plenty of white snowdrops growing wild under the trees.