Places to Visit and Things to Do
Here are four 'not-to-be-missed' places to visit in the Troutbeck valley, plus information on Troutbeck's recently re-opened pony trekking facility:

Townend
Modest in size, this original yeoman farmer's house gives an
atmospheric insight into the life of the Browne family who lived here for
over three centuries. Built in 1626,
it's full of intricate original oak carved furniture and panelling,
wide oak floor planks and built-in spice cupboards. National
Trust volunteers are often on hand (sometimes in authentic costumes)
to explain Townend's many fascinating stories.
• Open 12th March to 30st October 2011, daily except Mondays
and Tuesdays
• 11.00 am to 1.00 pm (guided tours only) and 1.00 pm to 5.00
pm (last entrance 4.30 pm) or dusk if earlier
• Tel: 015394 32628
• Web: www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Holehird Gardens
A secluded delight, with breathtaking views across Windermere
and the Southern Fells, quietly situated just off the A592. There's
a classic walled garden, several Victorian alpine glasshouses,
a pond, a cascade and a tarn, and countless (carefully labelled)
varieties of shrubs, flowers and trees, including several National
Collections – all maintained by local volunteers from the Lakeland
Horticultural Society. There's absolutely nowhere else like it.
It's open all hours, every day of the year. It's completely free,
just a donation box, and it's often blissfully quiet.
• Web: www.holehirdgardens.org.uk

Troutbeck's Vernacular Architecture
Troutbeck
Village consists almost entirely of original stone-built farmhouses,
cottages and barns – almost all the buildings in the village
date back to the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. All except
Townend are private, but you can walk through
the village, or explore the many footpaths that
connect the village to Jesus Church, admiring unique bank-barns,
crow-stepped slate roofs, massive circular chimneys, oak mullioned
windows and slate porches.

Jesus Church
There's been a church on this
site since 1506. It was re-built in 1736 using many of the original
oak roof beams and its famous and very beautiful east window
was designed by Edward Burne Jones, Ford Maddox Brown and William
Morris. The churchyard lies in a perfect valley setting, overlooked
by ancient yew trees. Peaceful, light and colourful, the church
is open for quiet viewing throughout the year. Everyone is welcome.
• Open 9.00 am until dusk, every day of the year
• Click Jesus
Church on this website for details of services.

Lakeland Pony Treks
Enjoy direct access to the bridleways of
the Troutbeck Valley and high fells, on a variety of fully
supervised trail rides. For all
ages and experience, from half hour rides
for small children to full day rides, on top quality
cobs and hunters, as well as cuddly Cumbrian fell
ponies for children!
• Tel: 015394 31999
• Web: www.lakelandponytreks.co.uk
All the above has been compiled from information on public websites, and we are not responsible for its content. Please check these websites for the latest updates.