A Sunny Stroll Along Windermere: Dogs, Castles and Coffee on a Perfect Day.

There are some days where the light is soft, the company easy, and the path underfoot feels just right. Our walk along the shores of Lake Windermere to Wray Castle, then on through the woods up to Claife Heights, was exactly one of those days.

We started from the Red Nab car park, where the air was already warm. The lake shimmered gently in the sunlight, a silver-blue stretching out before us. Our dogs were vibrating with excitement, and before long, they were paddling, splashing, and chasing each other along the shoreline. My friend’s Labrador Nelly has a particular party trick—diving under the water and bringing up smooth, hefty stones like prized treasure, tail wagging furiously at each success and feet poking up from the lake like a duck.

The first part of the walk followed the western shoreline of Windermere, a relatively flat and friendly path that gives you glorious views of the water nearly the entire way. Trees arched above us and every now and then the route opened out to reveal beautiful lakeside vistas and little bays—perfect spots to pause and take it all in and for the dogs to wet their bellies.

Reaching Wray Castle a gothic-style building rose ahead of us, bold and quirky. Already busy with Artists painting landscapes. The dogs shook themselves dry. We wandered in for a very welcome coffee and cake break. Sitting in the castle courtyard, with the lake just beyond and sunshine warming our faces, it felt like the perfect reward.

From Wray Castle, we joined the path up to Claife Heights, meandering through peaceful woodland. The terrain gently climbed, enough to feel like you were getting a proper stretch of the legs, but never too steep to be strenuous. This part of the walk felt more secluded—just the rustle of leaves, the soft thud of paws on the path, and the occasional birdsong for company. Very few tourists had left Windermere's shores.

And then, the views.

When the trees opened up, we were rewarded with breath-taking glimpses over the lake and beyond. We paused for a while, letting the dogs roam, breathing in the fresh, pine-tinged air, and simply enjoying being in a place that felt both wild and gentle all at once.

The descent brought us through more lovely woodland, dappled with early spring greenery and the faint scent of moss and bark. Eventually, the trail wound back down toward the lakeside, and before long, we were back where we started—feeling satisfied, a little sun-kissed, and thoroughly refreshed.

Why This Walk Works for Almost Everyone

What I loved most about this route was its variety—lake views, woodland, castle charm, and peaceful heights—all within a walk that feels achievable for most abilities. It’s well-signed, the paths are maintained and easy to follow, and there are plenty of places to pause, picnic, paddle, or grab a snack.

The circular route from Red Nab to Wray Castle, then up to Claife Heights and back down again took us just over four hours with plenty of leisurely stops—perfect for a long morning or a relaxed afternoon.

If you’re looking for a day out that’s dog-friendly, soul-soothing, and rich in scenery without being too demanding, I honestly can’t recommend this walk enough.

And of course… don’t forget the cake.