As a guide, the Brockholes land begins as you turn into the drive off of the main road, and extends from the stone wall at the base of the fell to your left, to the middle of the River to the Right. As you reach the cottages, our land continues down to the Ancient Wood (again following the stone wall at the base of the fell), until you reach Lunes Bridge.

Currently, the land to the left of the cottages, either side of the road, is grazed by sheep belonging to the previous owners of Brockholes Farm, so we ask dogs are kept on leads when walking in this area. The land to the right of the cottages is usually sheep-free, save for any wanderers who have made their way further South.

There is a public footpath that runs along the edge of the river from the Lune Bridge, along the back of the cottage gardens, and then joins the road through the land leading to the main road. It is not a busy footpath, but is not unusual to see people using the route. Usually the River is gentle but it is deep in parts - please do keep an eye on little ones and dogs as the flow can be stronger than it looks, especially when we have had a lot of rain, in strong winds and stormy weather.

Start of the River Walk Track

Gate to Ancient Woodland

BROCKHOLES RIVER WALK

Distance 1.2 miles in total (Approx.0.6 miles each way)

Takes: As long as you want it to take, you’re on holiday!

This is a gentle walk along the banks of the River Lune for which you remain on Brockholes land throughout. It is a track or grass underfoot most of the way, then a stoney path. The route merges with the line of the public footpath. The River is unfenced and can be accessed for paddling. Friendly dogs are welcome to be exercised off lead all along the River Walk. Please do bear in mind that whilst it is Brockholes’ land, it is not strictly “enclosed” so dogs prone to doing a runner are best kept on a lead.

To access the River Walk turn right from the front door of your cottage and go through the Farm gate to the left of the storage shed. To the right you will see a track, follow this track down the slope, the river will be on your right. We have recently added rest-benches to make the River Walk accessible to more guests, so take a seat and watch the River flow by.

Continue with the River on your right. Continue to follow along the bank of the River, you will reach a gate, go through the gate into a large open field and continue along the River bank, merging to the start of the Ancient Woodland. Here you will see a gate, this is where the path surface changes – it becomes quite stoney and leaves line the path especially in Autumn. It can be slippery when it is icey or very wet. Continue through the gate and along the path, the Lune Bridge will appear over the River, aswell as some waterfalls coming off the fells on your left.

The path finishes at a quiet road, at this point this particular walk turns around to go back the way you came, keeping the River on your left. If you want a longer route back you can detour through the fields, up the left hand side of the Ancient Woodland (little bit hilly) and come back out at the big green barn

BROCKHOLES "Sheep Strutt"

Distance: 1.5 miles In total (0.75m each way)

Takes: As long as you want it to take, you’re on holiday!

This route follows the road you will have driven to your cottage along, returning the same way. It is all Brockholes Land so you are welcome to venture off the path and investigate the area. Please be aware that there are some steep drops to the left towards the river in some places, and sheep do curently graze this part of the land, please do not disturb them, they are quite happy!   We recommend keeping dogs leashed when sheep are in the vicinity.

Part of the way along this route you will see a pond over the wall on the left, this is where the wild otter can often be seen very early in the morning, and have been known to raise their babies around the pond!  You are welcome to explore the pond area but we do ask dogs are not taken into this area, to avoid disturbing the otters!

Reaching the end of Brockholes Land you can either turnaround and head back to your cosy cottage, or taking a right turn will take you towards the village of Tebay.  Recently the National Park have extended the footpath routes set back on the right hand side, it will take you up the hills behind the trees but is a pleasant - and much safer walk - than along the road if you do wish to explore off our land.

“I call my horses ‘divine mirrors’—they reflect back the emotions you put in. If you put in love and respect and kindness and curiosity, the horse will return that.” Allan Hamilton

In the field opposite the cottages you will see three horses, these are Welsh Mountain Ponies. They currently don’t belong to the cottages but they are friendly (just mind your/your little ones’ fingers as you would with any animal) and will pop over to say hello most days.

Welsh ponies are classified as a rare breed, descendants of the prehistoric Celtic ponies, these hardy ponies have lived wild, surviving harsh Welsh winters on the remote hills, with very little vegetation. This hardy little pony survived persecution under Henry VIII (who ordered the destruction of horses too small to carry a Soldier) standards of war horses), as they were able to escape to the highest and toughest mountain terrains. A couple of hundred years later, pony hunting became increasingly popular and Welsh Mountain Ponies are known to have fought back when chased and cornered, breaking the hunter’s legs and injuring the hunters horses.

Annual round ups drove over 1000 ponies down from the hills to be culled or sold. In the 1900’s their tenacious qualities were harnessed for work, with many sold to be worked as coal pit ponies. Coal pit ponies often lived in underground stables – a far cry from the freedom of the mountains that they had enjoyed in their earlier years. They were often treated “well” as pit masters knew a healthy, well trained pony would reap rewards, making them an asset. Pit ponies worked in mines at different depths, the deepest pits in Wales were as low at 700 metres.

Wild River Otters can often be spotted around the pond, or, as you may expect, in the River!  This pair have been known to raise their babies here on the Brockholes pond too!  Be sure to let us know if you do catch a glimpse of the lovely pair!