If you’ve ever dreamt of escaping to a magical land where waterfalls cascade into crystal-clear waters, small creatures frolic and fairies cavort among the trees, you’re in luck. Well, OK, perhaps you might not spot the fairies, but other than that, the Fairy Glen in the Lake District is pretty much what dreams are made of!
Galleny Force Waterfall is in the most idyllic setting and resembles a scene from a fairy tale. Not only will kids of all ages love it here, but the Fairy Glen is also guaranteed to excite the adults. It’s certainly a great place for spending time outdoors with the family. Although this place is beautiful all year round, it’s best to visit in the summer when you can swim in one of the pools. A little further down the valley there’s a perfect spot for standing beneath the waterfalls. If you love to seek out hidden gems and secret places of the Lake District, then this definitely needs to be on your list. This is also one of the best spots for wild swimming in the Lake District. Make sure you pack a picnic though as you could easily spend the day here. Alternatively, why not book yourself into Stonethwaite Farm Campsite and stay for the weekend!
How to get to the Fairy Glen
Depending on whether you prefer a shorter or longer walk, there are a couple of ways you can get to the Fairy Glen. If you’re over excited and can’t wait to start splashing around, you can park in the hamlet of Stonethwaite and stroll along the beck. It’s probably only about a mile from here and the route is fairly straightforward. For most of the way, you’ll follow a flat path along the beck but there are a couple of places that get a bit hilly and uneven.
The Fairy Glen Walk
Enter the postcode for Stonethwaite into your Sat Nav – CA12 5XG.
As you reach the hamlet of Stonethwaite, you’ll see an old red phone box on your left. There is free parking here but as the spaces are very limited, you might be better parking on the lane that leads up to Stonethwaite and walking the rest of the way.
Once you reach the phone box, keep walking straight on past the houses and the Langstrath Inn. Keeping to the left, you’ll continue on a track that takes you through the fields of Stonethwaite Farm and Campsite. This is an easy Lake District walk that would suit beginners. As you carry straight on, with the beck on your left, you’ll soon arrive at Galleny Force.
Rosthwaite to Galleny Force
If you’d rather enjoy a longer Borrowdale walk, you can take the four mile route from Rosthwaite. There’s a National Trust car park here as well as public toilets and a tea room. (Postcode – CA12 5XB) This is still a relatively easy walk and is suitable for children. Simply follow the Cumbria Way signposted to Stonethwaite. When you reach the crossroads at the end of the bridge, turn right onto the path.
Continue straight on and through the gate until you come to another signpost. Follow the sign for Grasmere and go through the gate. Eventually, you’ll see Eagle Crag in the distance. Keep following the path and go through the gates. Once you cross the bridge, the pools that make up Fairy Glen will come into sight.
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