The Grizedale Forest

The Grizedale Forest

See Also - Coniston Village - Coniston Water & Mountain - Hawkshead

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The Grizedale Forest

Whilst staying in one of our Lake District Cottages you will know doubt wish to explore the many lakes, mountains, forests and areas of natural beauty.

The Grizedale Forest lies between Coniston Water and Windermere, a huge area of ancient woodland and commercial plantation under the care of the Forestry Commission. The forest chiefs have made creative efforts in conservation and diversity, turning this mighty woodland into a recreational area for all to enjoy. There are many waymarked tracks and trails offering various levels of effort and distance and so is ideal for all, including provision for disabled visitors with the introduction of the tarmaced “Ridding Wood Trail”.

The Visitor Centre And Grizedale Arts

At the heart is the visitor centre. This is the best place to start, picking up maps and information to get the most from your day in the forest. There is an information desk, shop, cafe, exhibition rooms, galleries, bike hire and a children’s play area. A well defined map will show the many trails for both walking and mountain bikes. Part of the forest's diversity is its involvement with the arts. Inspired by forests in America, Forestry Commission manager, Bill Grant, set up the Grizedale Society in 1968. Initially it concentrated on the performing arts, but with the assistance of Peter Davis and Northern Arts, established the sculpture project in 1977. As you walk the trails you will discover a host of sculpture by such artists as Richard Harris and David Nash, both former forest resident artists. The prestige of creating and exhibiting in the forest has grown over the years, attracting many prominent artists to this natural gallery. From huts to spires, rooting boars to walking walls, the diversity is huge and ever changing, not least as many of the pieces are made from the surrounding woodland material, gently fading back into the very forest from which they were created.

Walking - Mountain Biking & Adventure

The big hike is to follow the Silurian Way. Nine and a half miles long, the walk takes you through both sides of the valley, taking in deep forest glades and climbing to higher view points. On route you will see most of the sculptures and is estimated to take about five hours, so a packed lunch is a good idea. Many trails are open to mountain bikes. You can either bring your own or hire cycles from Grizedale Mountain Bikes. Grizdale hosts a number of sporting events including rally driving and The Grizedale Mountaain Bike Challenge - for information on taking part in the GMBC and dates, see our links below The forest hosts many organised events and special days. These range from the ‘Forest Giants’, where you watch the process of felling trees by mighty machines. Guided walks to see the art. Badger and deer watch evenings and a many performing arts events. It is well worth contacting the visitor centre for a list of what’s on during your stay. For those who require a bit more adventure then you must simply Go Ape. Recently introduced, ‘Go Ape’ is aerial trekking high above the forest floor where you swing through the trees, across rope bridges, scramble nets and zip slides. Each session lasts about two hours and is full of adrenaline fuelled fun, laughter and adventure. The minimum age is 8 years old and those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult; advance booking is advised. Whether you take a short gentle stroll, tackle one of the longer routes or take a bike, the forest is a must for any visit to the Lake District, offering a great day out in splendid scenery.

For more information on our collection of fine Lake District Cottages and Lake District Self Catering Holiday Homes use our Availability Search or Lake District Cottage Browsers


Staying In A Lake District Cottage Close To The Grizedale Forest

Wherever you choose to take your Lake District Holiday, nowhere is far away. The Cumbria National Park is quite a compact area, but with lots of variation crammed in. From gentle valleys, ancient woodland, our huge lakes which reflect the sky and landscape and of course the soaring mountains and craggy fells are all easy to explore, this along with a host of welcoming towns and villages.

If you need your holiday cottage to be near The Grizedale Forest we have a good selection of fine Lake District Cottages within easy reach. If you need any advice on the best choice of Self Catering Cottage for you, we all know our holiday cottages well and would be pleased to help find the most suitable.

Below is a selection of those Lake District Holiday Cottages nearest to The Grizedale Forest.

For more information on our collection of fine Lake District Cottages and Lake District Self Catering Holiday Homes, use our Availability Search or Lake District Cottage Browsers.

Tent Lodge - A fine Georgian House set on the shores of Coniston Water sleeping 12/13

Three Springs - A very popular Lake District Cottage sleeping 6, set above the village with views across to Coniston Water.

Somewhere - One of our finest 5 Star Lake District Cottages, offering guests a very special romantic retreat near Coniston with nearby lake side access..

Apple Tree Barn - This 5 Star Gold Luxury lake district cottage offers the finest accommodation for 8 guests set close to Coniston Water and nearby Inn.

Deer Holm - Set in extensive private grounds with a river, this is the perfect place for 10 guests to relax and enjoy the Lake District.

Windrush - This fine 4 Star Lake District Cottage, set in the heart of Coniston, offers welcoming accommodation for 8 guests.

Wetherlam - Set on the North East shore of Coniston Water this fine cottage offers its 4 guests lake access and private jetties.

Townson Ground House - Fantastic large 4 Star Gold Lake District house for 13/14 set close to Coniston Water with nearby lake access and jetties.

Tinkler Beck Farm - Set on the Tent Lodge Estate this 5 Star cottage offers its 6 guests lake access and private jetties.

Tinkler Beck Cottage - Set on the North East shore of Coniston Water this 5 Star cottage offers its 6 guests lake access and private jetties.

Rock Cottage - A very popular Lake District Cottage sleeping 4 plus 2, set in the village with views across to Coniston Water.

4 Low House Cottages - Set in the village of Coniston this 4 Star lake District Cottage lies at the heart of the national Park.

Brookside - This Lake District Cottage offers the finest accommodation for 4 guests set in the super village of Cartmel..

Sun Cottage - A very popular Lake District Cottage sleeping 4 plus 2, set in the village with views across to Coniston Water.

Waterfall Cottage - Set on the edge of the Grizedale Forest, this is a perfect Lake District cottage retreat for a romantic holiday for 4.

Bracken Howe - Bracken Howe. Five star town house sleeping 10 in Ambleside

Nethercroft - As one of the finest 5 Star Gold Lake District Holiday Cottages, Nethercroft offers its guests a very special holiday home for 4.

Carr Crag Cottage - Set in a stunning location with views of the Langdale Pikes Carr Crag Cottage is the perfect Lake District retreat

Yew Tree Cottage - A super 4 Star Lake District Cottage sleeping 2 set in a quiet village with super pub 2 minutes walk away.

Ash Cottage - A super 4 Star Lake District Cottage sleeping 4 set in a quiet village with super pub 2 minutes walk away.

Park Gate Cottage - Perfect walkers cottage set a short distance from Coniston Water

Tom Crag Barn - A Lake District Holiday Cottage,Tom Crag offers its guests a very special holiday home for 4.

The Dairy - This 5 Star lake district cottage offers the finest romantic retreat for 2, set close to Coniston Water.

The Cottage - A small Lake District Cottage apartment sleeping 2/3, close to both Coniston Water, the mountain and the village.

Heathwaite Farm - Set above Coniston Water, at the foot of the mountain, this is a perfect Lake District Farmhouse for 10

Hill View - Set in the village of Bouth and next to the White Hart Inn this makes for a great Lake District Holiday Cottage.

Heathwaite Cottage - Set above Coniston Water, at the foot of the mountain, this is a perfect Lake District cottage for 4

Hay Barn - Set above Coniston Water, at the foot of the mountain, this is a perfect Lake District cottage for 4

Grizedale - Set on the North East shore of Coniston Water this 4 Star cottage offers its 4 guests lake access and private jetties.

Garden House - A super 4 Star Lake District Cottage for 4 near to Coniston Water, the mountain and the village.

Gable End - A super 4 Star Lake District Cottage for 2 near to Coniston Water, the mountain and the village.

Force Mill Barn - Set on the edge of the Grizedale Forest, this is a perfect Lake District cottage retreat for a romantic holiday for 2.

Campbell Apartment - A super 4 Star Lake District Cottage apartment sleeping 4, close to both Coniston Water, the mountain and the village.

Brigg House - This large Lake District Victorian house for 10 is set in private gardens offering a hot tub and with a nearby Inn

Bracken Barn - Set above Coniston Water at the foot of the mountain, this is a perfect Lake District cottage for 4.

How Head House - This fine 4 Star Lake District Cottage, set Coniston Water, offers welcoming accommodation for 8 guests.

Tent Lodge Cottage - Set on the North East shore of Coniston Water this 4 Star cottage offers its 4 guests lake access and private jetties.

The Peat House - A super 5 star Lake District Cottage sleeping 4 in a quiet hamlet close to the southern shores of Coniston Water.

Tanderra - Set above the village of Coniston with lake views, this 4 Star lake District Cottage lies at the heart of the national Park.

Rose Cottage, Lowick - A very popular cottage sleepin 5 in the hamlet of Lowick, with good pub and close to Coniston Water.

No 1 Rose Cottage - One of our finest 4 Star Gold Lake District Cottages, offering guests a very special romantic retreat in a quiet village with nearby Inn..

Nibthwaite Grange Studio - A Charming 4 star Lake District Cottage sleeping 2 in a quiet village close to the southern shores of Coniston Water.

No 2 Rose Cottage - One of our finest 4 Star Gold Lake District Cottages, offering guests a very special romantic retreat in a quiet village with nearby Inn.

Moss Beck - Set in the heart of the Lake District this property offers 5 Star accommodation for 4.

Meadowcroft - Set in the heart of the Lake District in the Village of Sawrey, the property offers a great location for 8.

Kiln Cottage - A Charming 4 star Lake District Cottage sleeping 4 in a quiet village with a super pub only 2 minutes walk

2 Kiln Houses - A Charming 4 star Lake District Cottage sleeping 3 in a quiet village with a super pub only 2 minutes walk

These are just a selection of our hand picked Lake District Cottages, to see our full range either use our search facility or take a leisurely look at our cottage browsers.


Links & Tourist Information Centres

Cumbria Tourist Board - golakes
www.golakes.co.uk/

Grizedale Visitor Centre
Grizedale, Cumbria LA22 0QJ
www.forestry.gov.uk/northwestengland
Tel 01229 860010

Grizedale Arts
http://www.grizedale.org

Forestry Commission Grizedale Forest
Forest Ranger
Tel: 01229 860010
Email grizedale@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
www.forestry.gov.uk/grizedale

 


Activities, Adventure & Visitor Centre

Mountain Bike Hire
Grizedale Mountain Bikes
Grizedale Visitor Centre
Cumbria LA22 OQJ
01229 860 369 (for hire)
01229 860 335 (for sales)
http://www.grizedalemountainbikes.co.uk/

Go Ape
http://www.goape.co.uk
Tel 0845 643 9215

GMBC
http://www.gmbc.co.uk