Places to Visit in Troutbeck
Here are four 'not-to-be-missed' places in the Troutbeck valley, loved and much visited by tourists and Troutbeck residents alike:
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 31st March to 28th October, daily except Mondays and Tuesdays
• 1.00 pm to 5.00 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. 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 throught
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.