Griezdale Parking Space

The car park at Grizedale is where most visitors stop to lace up their boots before heading into the forest proper, but there's something worth noting about the place itself. It's the gateway to one of the Lake District's most underrated woodland reserves, sitting just south of Penrith in proper walking country. The reserve spreads across 2,400 acres of mixed forest - oak, birch, and conifers - and the car park is genuinely your starting point for exploring it all.

What you get here depends entirely on your ambition. If you're after a gentle stroll, there are shorter loops that take 45 minutes to an hour. More serious walkers can spend half a day threading through the trails, taking in the becks and open hillside sections. There's decent signposting once you're in, though the car park itself is fairly basic - you'll want to check current facilities before arriving.

Historically, Grizedale was a working forest, and you'll still see evidence of that in the landscape. It's ideal for families who can manage uneven terrain and walkers wanting something less crowded than the main lake trails. The reserve works brilliantly alongside nearby caravan parks like Waterfoot (just 4.4 miles away) or Park Foot Holiday Park (5.1 miles), both of which make solid bases for exploring the area. If you're staying in the region, this beats a second lap around Ullswater. Bring proper footwear though - it gets muddy after rain.