Start out on Vicarage Road in Ambleside and cut straight through the green lawns of Rothay Park, before crossing over Miller Bridge on the park's west side. Turn immediately right and follow Underloughrigg Lane past Fox How, once the home of the poet and pioneering educationalist Matthew Arnold. Follow the path onwards beneath the lower slopes of Loughrigg Fell; before long you'll come to the famous Stepping Stones over the River Rothay, mentioned by Dorothy Wordsworth in her diaries.

Straight on there's another crossing at Pelter Bridge, where you can link up with a walk around Rydal Water. Otherwise, carry on over the bridge and turn left onto the main road. After around 200 m you'll see the right-hand turning up towards Wordsworth's house at Rydal Mount.

The route back to Ambleside continues through the grounds of Rydall Hall directly opposite Wordsworth's house; the hall was formerly the stately home of the Le Fleming family and the Diocese of Carlisle, but is now a busy conference centre. If you're feeling a little peckish you'll find sustenance and scones at the Old School Room Tea Shop.

Follow the trail past Rydal Beck, with its pretty waterfalls, to reach the tree-filled grounds of Rydal Park, best seen in early spring or lare autum, when the trees are a blaze of colour. After about 20 minutes the path links up at Scandale Bridge, with the main A591, which you can follow back into central Ambleside.

Pubs nearby