Grizedale Forest

Grizedale Forest lies east of Coniston Water and south of Hawkshead in the Lake District. It covers 24.47 square kilometres of hills, small tarns and the settlements of Grizedale and Satterthwaite. The Forestry England visitor centre stands on the site of the former Grizedale Hall, whose ruins remain visible. The forest offers waymarked footpaths, mountain biking trails and an aerial assault course. Each year around 200,000 people visit, with one quarter arriving by bicycle. The forest is home to buzzards, sparrow hawks, owls and woodpeckers alongside red and grey squirrels, pine martens and roe deer. It also holds the last native herd of red deer in the area. Since 1977 the Sculpture Trail has placed hundreds of artworks along the 16-kilometre Silurian Way. Notable artists such as David Nash, Andy Goldsworthy and Robert Koenig have created works here. Many early pieces used biodegradable materials and have now merged back into the landscape. Visitors follow colour-coded paths that range from gentle strolls to challenging climbs up Carron Crag at 314 metres. The Go Ape high ropes course includes zip lines and Tarzan swings for ages ten and above. Mountain bikers can try the 15.6-kilometre North Face Trail opened in 2006. The visitor centre provides a café, shop and children’s playground beside the remains of Grizedale Hall.