Recreation at Low Gillerthwaite Field Centre
Low Gillerthwaite is a Field Centre run by its members for the benefit of all. The centre is owned by the Forestry Commission but leased to a Trust who in partnership with the Forestry Commission provide accomodation and outdoor activities based in Ennerdale. The Centre provides a superb base for walking, climbing, bird-watching, orienteering, mountain-biking or a host of other activities. The Centre offers dormitory accommodation for groups of up to 40 people - contact the Warden, Carol Emmons on 01946 861229 for more details.
In addition Carol and Richard provide a range of professionally led outdoor activities through their company Carolclimb for schools, groups and individuals. Canoeing, ghyll scrambling, orienteering, climbing, mountain leader training are all available within the valley.
Walking trails
Stay at Low Gillerthwaite and enjoy spectacular walks around the valley or into Wasdale and Buttermere.
Cycling trails
Bring your bikes to Low Gillerthwaite and enjoy 14miles of forest roads.
How to get there:
Low Gillerthwaite Field Centre is in Ennerdale. Ennerdale Bridge, Cleator, Egremont, and Cockermouth are the nearest towns or villages.
By Road:-, On A66 from Keswick, turn off at Cockermouth onto A5086.Turn off left at Lamplugh, passing Lamplugh church, then left passing Inglenook Caravan Park. Continue to reach a T junction at the hamlet of Croasdale. Turn left here into Croasdale, and follow the road right. From Bowness Knott Car Park follow the forest road up the valley for 3 miles. Low Gillerthwaite Field Centre is the first group of buildings on the right. However the tuning down to the buildings is very sharp and should be avoided, instead drive on to the large turning circle , turn round and back down the road to the centre. Please note vehicle access to the centre is only permitted for groups staying at the centre. Please share vehicles to minimise disturbance to other visitors to the forest and as parking at the centre is limited., Rail:-, The nearest railway station is at Whitehaven (7.5 miles from Ennerdale) which is served by trains from Carlisle and Lancaster . There is also a rail station at Penrith (40 miles from Ennerdale) which has bus connections to Ennerdale via Cockermouth. For rail timetables call National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50, lines are open 24 hours., Bus:-, From Cockermouth - There is a daily service from Penrith (Rail connection) to Ennerdale via Cockermouth. Take the X4 or X5 Stagecoach service from Penrith to Cockermouth and then Reays Coaches 217 service from Cockermouth to Kirkland. Kirkland is a 2 to 3 mile walk from Ennerdale.., Alternatively take the Ken Routledge 949 service from Cockermouth to Buttermere and climb over Scarth Gap into Ennerdale Valley, In summer the Ennerdale Rambler service still runs on a Sundays and Bank Holiday to Bowness Knott., For more info follow the links below or call the Cumbria Traveline number on 0870 608 2 608. Lines are open 0700 to 2000 7 days a week
OS Grid Reference: NY139140
Other places to go in Ennerdale