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Windermere and Footprint
A truly inspirational space
Footprint, St Catherine's, Patterdale Road, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 1NH
Opening times for 20 May 2024
Asset Opening time Countryside Dawn - Dusk Footprint is only open to visitors who are booked onto one of our activities or workshops.
MTWTFSS29301234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303112OpenPartially openClosedCar park
Car park is for use of visitors doing pre-booked activity only.
Toilet
Drop-off point. Wheelchair accessible. Accessible toilet. Access to woods via steep steps or a medium slope.
Accessible toilet
Level access/terrain
Level access to the Footprint building
Drop-off point
Drop off point at the front door of the Footprint building.
Steps/uneven terrain
Access to St Catherine's wood and wider grounds is via steep steps or a medium slope.
By road
Off the A591 to Troutbeck.
Parking: We have a small car park that can park up to 12 cars. Parking is free and only for the use of those booked on to an activity or workshop.
Sat Nav: Use: LA23 1NH
On foot
20 minute walk from Windermere train station, via the woods from the bottom of Orrest Head.
By train
Windermere Station 1.5 miles (2.4km).
By bus
Stagecoach bus numbers 516, 555, 599 run from and to Windermere train station. 20 minute walk approx. 1½ miles (2.4km) along the woodland path from the bottom of Orrest Head.
Footprint, St Catherine's, Patterdale Road, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 1NH
Planning your visit
See all events at Footprint
Found out what events we have coming up at Footprint in Windermere. From wood carving workshops to music, singing and weekly craft drop-ins.
The Singing Bones
Mark the summer solstice with firelight folktales and live music woven together to celebrate Cumbria’s heritage of rich biodiversity.
Start the Week with Craft
Monday drop-in sessions. Bring a craft project you are working on, or have been meaning to start for a while. A chance to chat with other people and enjoy a cup of tea and cake while you craft. Friendly and informal.
Highlights
Educational base
Straw-bale building constructed in 2006, providing an educational base for people to reconnect with nature.
Green woodworking and bushcraft courses
Footprint offers a pre-bookable programme of green woodworking and bushcraft courses throughout the year.
Outdoor learning for schools
At Footprint, working alongside our partner Woodmatters, we deliver an exciting programme of outdoor learning sessions. Whatever the weather we can deliver a memorable, fun and inspiring learning experience for KS1 and KS2 groups.
Spotlight events
Events at Footprint
There's always something to get involved with at Footprint, from apple pressing to film nights check out our events page to see what's coming up.
Things to see and do
Workshops in the woods
We’re working in partnership with Woodmatters to deliver green woodwork and bushcraft courses at Footprint. Whether it’s learning how to carve a bowl or trying out a Family Bushcraft Camp, our activities at Footprint are designed to help you deepen your connection with nature and learn something new in beautiful surroundings.
Outdoor learning for shools
At Footprint, working alongside our partner Woodmatters, we deliver an exciting programme of outdoor learning sessions. Whatever the weather we can deliver a memorable, fun and inspiring learning experience for KS1 and KS2 groups. All of our sessions are designed with holistic learning in mind and aim to develop the heart, head and hand. A culture of care and respect for ourselves, each other, and the environment is encouraged throughout. To book, call us on 015394 88409 or email us at debbie.riviere@nationaltrust.org.uk
Top trails
Trail
Windermere to Townend walk
Discover the area around Townend, a 17th-century farmhouse a stone's throw from Lake Windermere.
Trail
Post Knott, Windermere views walk
Enjoy a relaxing walk that meanders through the central fells of the Lake District and offers impressive views of Windermere, along with a choice of picnic sites and resting places
Places to stay
Trees
A 1930s log and stone cabin high above Lake Windermere with a sun terrace and great views.
The Summer House
A cosy house in the old kitchen garden of Wray Castle with views of stunning scenery all around.
Upcoming events
Event
Start the Week with Craft
Give yourself a warm and happy start to the week with some crafting in the beautiful Footprint Building.
Event
The Singing Bones
Mark the summer solstice with firelight folktales and live music woven together to celebrate Cumbria’s heritage of rich biodiversity.
Event
Summer Solstice Wild Swim, Soundbath and Women's Circle Celebration
Celebrate the summer solstice with a wild swim, sound bath and women's circle at the Footprint with At Nature's Pace.
About Windermere and Footprint
This straw bale building was constructed in 2006 and now provides an educational base for people to reconnect with nature and explore the great outdoors in the peaceful St Catherine’s Wood through our programme of activities and workshops. It’s the first building in Cumbria to be constructed with straw bale walls, and the first of its kind built anywhere by the National Trust. It's a truly inspirational space. Just walking distance from Windermere, the meadows, woodland and grazed parkland around St Catherine’s Estate are all teeming with wildlife and wild flowers making it the perfect place to get away from it all.
Our work
Project
Project
Project: Cumbria’s first straw bale building
Find out how and why we created the first straw bale building in Cumbria, and how the Footprint building was designed to have as small an ecological footprint as possible.
Article
Our work in Windermere - land management that works for people and nature
Find out more about our work to make space for nature, increase biodiversity, connect people with nature and boost climate resilience.
Support us
Volunteer with us
Search for live volunteering opportunities, or register your interest with Footprint.