This lovely walk from Grange over Sands passes through Eggerslack Woods and climbs Hampsfell, leading to Hampsfell Hospice. It has something for everyone, with wood paths to explore, swings to play on and rocks to climb on. Then at the top, the 360 degree views over Morecambe Bay and the Lake District fells make it the perfect place for a picnic.
This is a walk we’ve done since our children were really small. It’s suitable for carriers, and there is plenty of challenge including different terrains to keep children interested.
Here’s how we did it.
Where is Hampsfell Hospice?
Hampsfell Hospice is a small building at the top of Hampsfell, next to Grange over Sands, on the south west coast of the Lake District. From Grange, access to Hampsfell is through Eggerslack Wood.
Parking for Hampsfell
Pay and Display car parking is available at Windermere Road car park. We find 2 hours is just enough, but to take your time with a picnic at the top, you might want to park for longer.
Hampsfell Hospice Walk
1. From the car park, cross over the road and walk up Windermere Road, heading up the hill away from Grange. Before long, you will see a footpath sign saying Routen Well and Hampsfield.
2. Following the sign, go through the gap in the wall and start to follow the path as it takes you through the woods.
3. Follow this path until it comes to some steps. Careful here, at the top of the steps is a (very quiet) road. Cross straight over this road and follow the signed path as it continues up through the woods.
4. You will again come to a set of steps and a road to cross. At this road you will see a sign showing the way to Hampsfell; follow this sign off to the left.
5. Continue to follow the signs showing the way to Hampsfell, through Eggerslack Wood.
6. Follow the arrow wayfinder sign showing the path as it curves round, then continue to follow the path is it leads through the woods.
7. When you come to the next sign, follow the sign that shows straight on (which actually feels like you’re heading off to the left).
8. The path will continue upwards through the woods. Keep going!
9. Keep an eye out for a couple of tree swings just off the path to the right. You can see them from the path, but you have to be looking! They’re just up a little hill off the right of the path, and they’re great fun! Allow for extra time here.
10. After the swings, continue along the path you were on. Soon you will come out of the woods, and you’ll be able to see a view of farm fields. Here, you need to turn right, where you’ll find a bench, which is perfectly timed for a snack break.
11. After a pitstop, go through the gate behind you (dogs need to go on a lead here). There is a well worn path that passes through a field, and you get a great view of the hill you are about to climb.
12. At the end of the field you will come to a wall with stone steps. Go over here and follow the path across the next field towards the next stile.
13. Go over the wooden steps to get across the next wall. Once you’re over, head left and start to make your way up the hill. There isn’t an obvious path here but it’s pretty easy to work out where you can walk.
The walk up the hill is a mix of grass and limestone rocks. These are great for climbing and make the walk way more interesting for children. At this point, you get a fab view of some of the Lakeland fells and right across Morecambe Bay,
14. Keep climbing the hill until you reach the top! Here you’ll find Hampsfell Hospice, with it’s viewing platform and inscriptions inside. The building itself is often busy on a nice day, with people having picnics on the concrete bench seats that surround it.
We like to perch on the rocks that face either the fells or Morecambe Bay and have lunch. We try to spot Heysham power station and Blackpool Tower on the clear days! The kids play for ages around here, and it’s a lovely rest before the descent back to the car.
15. We treat this as a straightforward ‘out and back’ walk and go back the way we came. The views on the way back down are epic! There are a couple of variations in how you can walk back through the woods, but my children always like to go back past the swing, so that’s the route we do. I highly recommend it!
You might also like:
Family Walks: Grange over Sands Promenade
Family Walks: Sir John Barrow Monument
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