Walks

Walking through the gardens and woods at Mirehouse is a chance to experience the stunning landscape of the North Lake District at it’s best. Close to the house and in the Bee Garden paths are gravelled.

Further afield, stout shoes or boots are advisable as some paths can be muddy, particularly after heavy rain. Muddy or not, the paths enable you to enjoy a natural landscape with many fine views of the surrounding fells and of Bassenthwaite lake.

There is always the possibility, too, of seeing wildlife as you walk round. roe deer, foxes, red squirrels and many bird species have been seen in the grounds.

Family Nature Trail

We are lucky to have a variety of interesting trees, plants, birds, animals, and insects living here. The walk is about half a mile long, taking you through woodland, gardens, a wildflower meadow and even passed a waterfall. See if you can spot the red squirrels, badgers, deer and rabbits along your way.

Mirehouse Wood

The walk begins along the drive from the entrance. Here are great Scots pine planted in 1786. This is Britain's only species of native forest conifer. But the old veterans will not last for ever. Look out for the young pine, hybrid larch and oak, planted to replace the ageing pine in due course.

Lovers' Lane

Return past the House and take the turn to the left. Match makers used to dispatch likely couples down this romantic path, which, like the drive, has been opened up and replanted since the 1960s. There is a good view of Mirehouse from halfway along Lovers' Lane.

The Parkland and St Bega's Church

Formerly the land between Mirehouse and the Church of St Bega was open parkland, carefully landscaped, including 'ha-has' or sunken fences. It was, however, enclosed to permit more intensive agriculture in 1914 as part of the 'war effort'.

Catstocks Wood

As can be seen from the plan, there are several routes through this wood. It is possible to loop back after reaching the lake and retrace your steps past the House or to continue further along the lakeshore, following a sign for the Old Sawmill.

The Lakeside

If you follow the sign for the Old Sawmill, wide views of the Derwent valley open up as you leave Catstocks Wood. To the left is Skiddaw with Ullock Pike and wooded Dodd in the foreground.

Poetry Walk

The Poetry Walk, in a section of the terraced garden known as “Canada” is an ongoing commemoration of the unique literary connections that Mirehouse has had over the years. The Victorian verandah houses a changing display of poems that are connected to Mirehouse. This year we have a selection of nine beautiful poems by awarding winning poet David Scott, a friend of the family.