Walking holidays

The Kentmere Horseshoe

Sometimes called the Kentmere Round, this is a 13 mile / 21km  with just under 800m of cllimb before traversing the mountain tops in a circle as shown in the maps below. It's a full day's walk for most people. WalkLakes describes it as one of the longest and most remote walks in the Lake District.  Parking in Kentmere is severely limited which means you'll likely have the mountain tops to yourselves. It's a 10 minute walk along the Kenmtmere lane from One Long Houses to the official starting point at the church in Kentmere. 

Walks for all abilities

Having laid down the Kentmere Horseshoe gauntlet, there are other options for all and we list many both from the door, and a short drive away, on our Activities page (along with fell running, cycling, bouldering, boating, and fishing). 

But here are are few of our favourites from the door:

Gentle walks

These are all along firm ground without too much climbing, from 20 mins to 2-3 hours there and back. So fine for a regular pushchair. The walk to St Cuthberts church along the lane gives a great first impression of Kentmere.  And you can keep walking for another half hour or so north into the valley before the lane runs out. 

Staveley village is about 80 minutes walk in the opposite direction (there's also a more rugged - over the fells version from the house too). Hallow Bank walk gives you some great views and takes about an hour there and back. 

Moderate walks

Turning left out of our garden gate takes you straight up to the fells. This could be a 45 minute leg stretch up to the beck half way of the fell to 90 minute circuit up the fell above One Long Houses (Cornclose Lane) or you can extend it to a wider circuit to incorporate the remote Skeggles Water tarn.

A flatter circuit option is to circumnavigate Kentere Tarn. This is a good bad weather (low cloud) option as it hugs the valley floor and is relatively flat. About half is along lanes and half rougher paths. 1.5-2 hours - this is fine for kids but not pushchairs. It takes you past Kentmere Hall and St Cuthbert's church.

Splitting the Kentmere Horseshoe route down the middle is the walk north along Kentmere valley to the Kentmere reservoir. It starts off on tarmac lanes (so that section fine for a pushchair) but quickly degrades to a rocky path.

All day walks

Well we described the big one above. But with an OS map or app you will see many options to fill a day from the door - up the Kentmere Pike, over Sallows into Troutbeck, or past Skeggles Water into Longsleddale.  Coniston Old Man and Helvellyn are both in our part of the Lake District, but a drive away to get to the start. And of course Scafell Pike is easily reachable by car from the house.

Walking with Dogs

All of the above applies to your four legged friends, depending on their age and athleticism.  It's a great house for dog walks from the door. 

There's an acre of fenced garden to keep them happy too (while it is fenced, a determined dog might get out so please be vigilant) and they'll make friends with the farmer's sheepdogs. 

On that note, it goes without saying that you need to keep dog on a lead on the local lanes, especially outside the house where sheep are regularly herded up and down the lane and are very visible in adjoining fields. 

Up on the fell use your common sense. If you can see farm animals even in the distance, lead on. If you don't you'll quickly get a sharp talking-to from any passing local. 

Walking as a family

We hope we've shown that there are walks, and indeed broader activities, for all ages and abilities. 

The house and garden is also fantastic to chill out it, making use of the extensive indoor and outdoor options, and our large library of books, CDs and DVDs. 

Apres-walk

With four bathrooms and two baths, and a massive hot water tank, a hot power shower or relaxing tub awaits you, and if colder weather, two wood burners and an open fire beside which to sup your tea and scones, or something stronger. 

We have two large indoor dining tables, one on the kitchen and one in our spectacular glass walled dininng room so you can survey what you have walked over dinner. Outside there's also a large outdoor dining table and chairs, plus a charcoal barbeque. 

There's no such thing as bad weather...

...only bad clothes choice! Low cloud can prevent the higher altitude walks, but as we've shown there are plenty of other options. Plus there are numerous shopping, sightseeing and eating/drinking options a short drive away. See our Your Stay page for ideas. 

Recognition for One Long Houses

Holidays.com website lists us as one of their "11 Dreamy Cottage Rentals in the English Countryside". We have transcribed guest reviews from our visitor book and form platforms such as Airbnb (which rates us a Guest Favourite). Here's a sample of what guests say about walks from One Long Houses:

• some great walks from the door in the peaceful valley and then 20min drive to windermere for all things there and beyond

• Excellent and well equipped house with amazing views, and doorstep access to lake district walks and excellent base for the whole Lake District area

• Excellent hiking, biking and fishing right from the front door

• A good base to explore the walks and the lakes on your doorstep

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Lake District fell walking requires appropriate footwear, clothing, navigation and awareness of changing mountain weather. Conditions can be very different from those in the valley.