Brockhole Visitors Centre (and nearby Zip World Windermere, Paid entry), Brockhole, Windermere, Cumbria

Details

Accessibility

https://www.brockhole.co.uk/plan-your-visit/accessibility/

"Access for all

If you have difficulty walking, there's equipment on hand to help you enjoy the centre and grounds, during the opening times of the house.

• Free use of a mobility scooter for use in the gardens (although donations are welcome)

Arrival and parking:

We have a car park for disabled badge holders next to the Visitor Centre entrance. There are also disabled parking spaces by the lower wooden entrance to the grounds (next to the Garden Shed café), and at the top of the car park (next to Treetop Trek). Accessible routes around site can be found on the signs at each entrance route into the grounds.

Facilities inside the Visitor Centre:

We offer:

• an accessible toilet on the ground floor
• a baby change facility on the first floor
• automatic entrances at the front and back of our shop and one at the front of the café
• lift access to first floor meeting rooms 

Our staff in the Visitor Centre will be happy to help and answer any questions.

Grounds and gardens

The gardens were originally designed in Edwardian times for private use, so many of the paths and steps are steep. There is a path from the car park which takes you down to the lake and lower areas of the gardens. This is suitable for wheelchair users.

You are welcome to board the Brockmobile for a lift into the grounds. We also have a mobility scooter for you to borrow for a couple of hours to enjoy the gardens and grounds. Please ask at the information desk in the shop.

Adventure playground

Our adventure playground focuses on family fun and features a wide range of equipment suitable for toddlers right through to teenagers. The amazing toddler area even features a Play Galleon boat as a central point.

Toilets

The toilets inside our Visitor Centre are open all year round.

More toilets are located in the grounds near the lakeshore centre, open Easter to October. However, they do not have baby change facilities.

Dogs

We welcome dogs at Brockhole but ask that owners keep them on a lead at all times.

Dogs on leads are allowed in:

• the gardens and grounds
• the shop and café
• the exhibition area

Dogs are not allowed in:

• the adventure playground
• Treetop Trek Nets area

Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the site. Please just ask if you need assistance."

Brief description

https://www.brockhole.co.uk/

https://www.brockhole.co.uk/house-and-garden/  **Please note that Brockhole House is not fully open to the public**

https://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/learning/forteachers/archaeologyindepth/brockhole_history

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brockhole

"The Brockhole Lake District Visitor Centre, also known as the Brockhole National Park Visitor Centre, is a visitor centre and tourist attraction managed by the Lake District National Park Authority. It is situated on the shore of Lake Windermere, roughly equidistant between the towns of Bowness-on-Windermere and Ambleside. It includes the Brockhole house and 30 acres (12 ha) of grounds, including 10 acres (4.0 ha) of formal gardens and an adventure playground. The centre organises a number of activities, including orienteering, kayaking and open water swimming, as well as regular exhibitions.[1][2]

Entrance to the centre and its grounds is free of charge, although a charge is made for car parking. The site that is now the visitor centre was bought in 1896 by William Gaddum, a silk merchant from Manchester, to build a summer house. He had the house built the following year, to a design by the architect Dan Gibson. The gardens were created by Thomas Mawson. Mawson, who is known for his work in the design of gardens during the Arts and Crafts movement, had previously collaborated with Gibson at Graythwaite Hall.

Beatrix Potter was a frequent visitor to the house, and makes reference to it in her Journals. In 1946 William Gaddum died and the house was sold. In 1948 the house was converted into a convalescent home. The Lake District National Park Authority purchased the property in 1966, and in 1969 it was opened as the UK's first National Park Visitor Centre.[1][2]  "

Address

Brockhole on Windermere
Windermere
Cumbria LA23 1FF
///booster.promising.founders

Email

info@brockhole.co.uk

Phone

01539 446601

Website

https://www.brockhole.co.uk/

https://www.brockhole.co.uk/?utm_source=www.lakedistrict.gov.uk&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=brockholepage

https://www.facebook.com/brockhole/

Directions

https://www.brockhole.co.uk/plan-your-visit/getting-here/

Opening Times

Always check with the venue directly for up-to-date information including opening times and admission charges as they may be subject to change

See https://www.brockhole.co.uk/plan-your-visit/opening-times/

Transport

https://www.brockhole.co.uk/plan-your-visit/getting-here/

2024: "Bus services 555 and 599 stop outside the Brockhole gates. For timetables, please take a look at Stagecoach https://www.stagecoachbus.com/timetables

The nearest railway station station is Windermere (2 miles). From there you can take a bus."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brockhole

"The centre is situated off the A591 road between Windermere and Ambleside. Stagecoach bus routes 555 (Lancaster to Keswick) and 599 (Bowness-on-Windermere to Grasmere) stop outside the centre. Both these routes also serve Windermere railway station.[3]

In the grounds of the centre is a jetty served by a number of boat services provided by Windermere Lake Cruises between March and October. A passenger launch service runs from Ambleside, returning to Ambleside via Wray Castle on the opposite side of the lake. A second launch service runs from Bowness-on-Windermere, returning to Bowness via Ambleside. A third service, known as the Bike Boat and operated with a boat adapted to carry cycles, shuttles across the lake to and from Bark Barn in Claife.[3][4][5][6] "

Amenities

Near by is Zip World Windermere, Brockhole, A591, Ecclerigg, Windermere LA23 https://www.zipworld.co.uk/location/windermere "On the banks of Lake Windermere, you will find the incredible adventure hub that is Zip World Brockhole. With a high ropes course, Climbing Wall and an amazing bouncy net adventure suspended in the trees, there’s an activity here for all the family to enjoy. Are you looking to extend your experience into the night? Whether you're soaring through the skies or delving deep underground, ensure your journey is complete with a comfortable Basecamp for the evening. Explore our unique accommodations tailored to adventurers like you. 

Fancy a bite to eat after your adventure? We're conveniently situated right next to the Brockhole cafe, where you can sample some of the finest Cumbrian cuisine. With indoor seating for those rainy days, and an outdoor terrace with stunning views of the gardens and Lake Windermere in the distance, you'll be spoilt as you tuck in. Alternatively, why not pop into the Garden Shed for all your picnic essentials, hot drinks, or English Lakes ice cream, and enjoy eating outside in the surrounding gardens. There is also the Vintage Fish & Chips van by the lakeshore, and BBQ Grill which serves locally sourced delights during peak periods.