Bowness on Windermere Walks: Brant Fell Viewpoint

Brant Fell viewpoint in Windermere is a great family walk. It’s easy to get to, includes fields, woods and a brilliant view. It doesn’t take too long, and because you finish in Bowness on Windermere there’s always the opportunity for ice cream/chips/hot chocolate to celebrate!

The walk starts and finishes in Bowness on Windermere, where there is plenty of parking available and lots of other things for families to do. This means you can combine the walk with another activity, or even lunch or dinner on a day out.

This is a steep walk up to the summit, but the steep bit isn’t that long at all so this is a perfect walk for little legs, and for the whole family.

This is a popular route so you’ll almost definitely see other people, especially on a day with lovely weather. I’d recommend going early with a family if you can, partly because Bowness can be VERY busy.

Going early means you’ll be able to find a parking space if you’re driving, and also that your re-entry into Bowness on Windermere won’t be totally overwhelming with all the visitors.

Here’s how we did it:

Where to park for Brant Fell

The most straightforward parking is on Rayrigg Road car park, which also has chargers for electric vehicles and toilets.

There is more parking on Glebe Road. This would mean more of a walk, but it would take you past Lake Windermere which is always lovely.

Brant Fell Viewpoint: The Walk

1. Make your way to the mini roundabout in the centre of Bowness. From here, walk along the pedestrianised street. At the end of the street, turn left into Kendal Road.

2. Very soon after this, turn left into Brantfell Road. The route starts it’s climb here, and this road is fairly steep in parts.

3. Continue to follow this road as it climbs.

4. At the top of the road you will come to a gate. Go through the gate, and then follow the obvious path along the field.

On the right as you go through the gate is a swing, which is fun! We had to wait to use this until we came back down as it was busy.

You will pass the sign for Ilkley as you walk across the field. This route is part of the Dales Way, which leads right across to Yorkshire (we’re not going that far today though!).

5. At the top of the field you will reach a kissing gate. Go through the gate (or over it, if you’re anything like my children), and turn right along the path, signposted Post Knott.

6. Follow this path as it goes through woods, and narrows a bit. It will bear left and is really obvious to follow.

7. As you follow the path, you will see it heading round and up to the left to a slate bench. This is Post Knott (and a great place for a drink or a snack).

8. After Post Knott, go back down to the path and you’ll see another kissing gate, that leads on to a field. Go through this gate (or again, over it if you wish!).

9. Once through the gate, head across the field, taking the obvious path that goes straight ahead. This bit can get fairly muddy but it’s generally ok.

Keep following this path, you’ll find a lovely bench to stop and admire the view (this is another good snack stop if you need it).

10. Eventually you’ll come to the final gate on the way up the fell. Go through this and then take the obvious path up the fell. You can see the summit from here so you know where you’re aiming for!

11. You’ll find the two old gateposts that mark the top of the hill. You’ve made it to Brant Fell Viewpoint! At this point you can relax and enjoy the view.

There are rocky outcrops with sharp drop offs at the top. Please be mindful of these, my children are now old enough to play on these but smaller children will need lots of supervision to ensure they stay safe.

12. When heading back, lots of route guidance makes this a loop walk where you walk down the side of the fell and along a path.

However, with children I recommend returning straight back down the path you came up. This hill is perfect for running down and it’s loads of fun!

13. When you get back down to the bottom of the fell, head to the right along the fence until you see a kissing gate to go through.

14. Immediately after going through the gate, go over the stone stile on the wall on your right hand side.

You will find yourself in a field. Make your way down the field to the stone wall at the bottom of it. Once you reach the wall, turn left and follow the wall until it brings you to a gate.

14. Go through this gate, then cross the path and go straight through the next gate too. This brings you onto the field you started in.

Make your way along the path through the field, past the swings and out onto Brantfell Road. From here you will make your way back through Bowness on Windermere to where you started your route.

We hope you enjoyed your walk!

You might also like to read:

Orrest Head Walk for another nearby walk

12 Things to do in Bowness on Windermere for inspiration for activities in the area

21 Best Family Campsites in the Lake District if you’re planning a trip and want ideas for where to stay.