3rd August 2023 – The Big Launch
The website had been ‘live’ for a year, but folk were starting to come across the site while searching online, so it seemed the time was right to share it on social media. John Falcus, who had searched online for a walk from Patterdale, had come across the site by accident and contacted me on 20th June 2023, to say he was “hooked” on the route and was already in the “advanced” stages of booking his accommodation. John completed the walk on Saturday 29th July, and is officially the first person to walk the whole route in one go. I was absolutely delighted and privileged to cross the River Esk and walk with him for the last mile to Ravenglass.
After following John’s adventure and seeing him complete the walk, this was the ‘kick up the butt’ I needed to launch the Lakeland Way and finally share it with the world. Up to this point only a few of my close friends knew about the project; people that had followed the process and provided much encouragement and guidance over the last few years. Even though there was still lots of content to add to the website, there was enough information for any person wanting to give this long-distance walk a go. So, on 3rd August I nervously shared the Lakeland Way on social media, and to be honest I was totally overjoyed by the positive feedback I received that evening.
Some favourite comments and feedback:
“Fantastic achievement in devising this Richard. Great to see you unveiling it. Can’t wait to walk it.”
George Kitching
“Richard – you probably won’t remember me, but in 2012 I walked the Coast to Coast and you provided me with some maps and advice for my first ever long-distance walk. I did it and raised £1500 for the Miscarriage Association and two years later I completed the Hadrian’s Wall path with my father – a fantastic father/son bonding experience. The walk you have created looks beautiful and I am inspired by your positivity and kindness. I think it’s so important for our own mental and emotional health to be getting outdoors and doing what you do – very inspiring! I just wanted to write this to say thank you and well done. What an amazing thing to have created this and then to share it with all of us. I hope I will get to walk some of it before I get to old to manage it all!”
Gary Brown
“Well done, Richard. Absolutely delighted to see The Lakeland Way launched. It has been a long time in the making, but that’s a reflection of the level of care and detailed planning that you have put in over many months and many more miles. I feel certain that The Lakeland Way will become the great success that you so richly deserve.”
John Fearn
“So pleased you’ve unveiled this Richard. It’s a wonderful and unique idea, all the research you’ve put into it is such a fantastic achievement. I’m sure it will attract lots of interest and I personally look forward to trying sections of it. Happy to have helped in a small way. Well done and best of luck.”
Maggie Allen
“Great news Richard and very well done for following what Alfred Wainwright wanted to see….People devising their own routes. I’m sure it will be enjoyed by so many others. Look forward to reading your book and seeing more of your pictures.”
Sheila Richardson
“I couldn’t be happier that the walk you have spent so many years on has finally come together. Congratulations Richard.”
Chris Butterfield
“Well done Richard, a lovely new long-distance walk for many to explore and enjoy for years to come. A great achievement.”
Helen Lockhart
“That’s great – I really like the look of this, as somebody who likes travelling from valley to valley, but not too excited by going to the top of every mountain. And it looks like there are plenty of opportunities to detour to the top if you have a bit more energy that day.”
Chris Cotton
“Really looking forward to walking your route Richard and I will be sure to thank Lakeland (and you) along the way.”
Deborah Howard
“Good mileage in your itinerary. Time to enjoy rather than a route march, and also circular so double bonus.”
Julie Walker
“Richard this looks interesting. Is there any chance of adding a single overview route map on the website? Apologies if I have missed this – I have seen the individual section maps, but an overview map would perhaps be useful. Thanks!”
Tim Synge
“With your permission, the route and GPXs (both credited to you, with links to the website) will be on the LDWA’s LDP database as soon as possible.”
Iain Connell
“Just looking at this in more detail and it looks like it can be done using all budget accommodation, with a bit of tweaking staying at Keswick, Ambleside and Patterdale with a taxi 2 nights . I’m also thinking of using the steam train to and from Eskdale YHA.”
Rachel Thompson
“Looks good! I live in the Lakes so I’ll try to find a couple of weeks when I can to give it a go! Thank you.”
Jules Titheridge
“Lovely looking route, especially for avoiding the Grassguards swamp! But the Old Coach Road? That has to be the most tedious section of the Lakeland 100 race. I’m definitely adding this route to my to-do list though. Thanks.”
Rob Beaumont
“This looks really interesting. Just perusing the different days, and there appears to be lots of room for high level alternatives too. I look forward to seeing more about it. Thanks for putting it together!”
Scott Wilborne
“Having completed the Cumbria Way a couple of weeks ago I was looking for another long-distance walk, and as this is circular it sounds great. Hasten to add that should I attempt this I will not be camping; I like to have a good shower and bed after I long days walking.”
Julia Binstead
“Wow, thank you for sharing, this looks great. I started planning a route taking in passes and valleys as I find them just as magical as climbing peaks, so I will definitely use some of your routes as inspiration. Looking forward to the book!”
Jenny Glanville
“This looks amazing; we have done the first section on a mini trek a few years ago. Well done for all the hard work.”
Ann Bristow
“Well. . . This may need to make my website for a new guided route! Fabulous!”
Hayley Webb
11th August 2023 – Keswick Reminder
By Mike Addison
“New 144-mile route is gathering interest on social media.
A north Lakes man has devised a long-distance walk which has generated a lot of interest since it was uploaded on social media.
The 144-mile Lakeland Way has been conceived by Cockermouth’s Richard Jennings who reconnoitred the route over three years, and has now experienced the joy of seeing the first person complete the circuit which starts and finishes at the small coastal village of Ravenglass.
The route takes the walker through valleys and over passes and follows old coach and drove roads, corpse routes and tracks used by early travellers by packhorse. Many of the paths were once used by miners and quarrymen who walked from the neighbouring hamlets to reach their workplaces in the depths of the fells. On some sections the footsteps of Roman soldiers are followed as they marched over the fells to strategically placed forts.
“The Lakeland Way has been devised to take in the scenery, nature and history, rather than being a rush to bag summits along the way,” said Richard, 51, who is a cabinet maker.
“It is not an official route or waymarked, but is my own personal walk dedicated to the people that have worked and shaped this wonderful landscape.”
The walk passes close to Keswick, visiting Rosthwaite on the second day from Wasdale Head, before it makes its way through Buttermere to Braithwaite and then on to Dockray, Patterdale, Troutbeck, Grasmere, Coniston, Seathwaite and Boot.
“The website has been up live for a year but I was not expecting so many people to come across it,” said Richard. “The first person walked it officially last week and I have had a lot of interest from fell runners.”
The first person to complete the route in 8 days was John Falcus, who was accompanied by Richard on the last leg of the journey across the estuary to the Market Cross in Ravenglass. John has written a blog about the walk which can be seen on the Lakeland Way website.
“I wanted to produce a walk for my daughter Emily, who is six, and to be able to say to her: ‘This is daddy’s walk’,” said Richard, whose interest in walking really started when he was living in Barnsley, not too far away from the Peak District. “I then developed a love for the Lake District and moved to Cockermouth 10 years ago and I have got to know all the routes, villages and local folk really well.”
Richard’s companion while reconnoitring the walk was his border collie dog Frankie who sadly died earlier this year.”
2nd September 2023 – Camping the Lakeland Way
“I woke up this morning feeling fine, with something special on my mind!” That was me humming to myself 48 hours ago, having just looked at the weather forecast for the next two weeks. One hour later, after begging my wife to set me free, I rang the boss to give him the bad news. I then spent the rest of the day planning the itinerary and pre-booking campsites and evening meals. The following day my wife and I were running around like headless chickens buying essentials and getting all my gear ready; my poor family, the things I put them through. However, with their help and of course the boss for giving me time off at such short notice, my Lakeland Way adventure would never have started.
I’m now in the process of putting my gear in the car ready for my wife to take me to Ravenglass on the west coast of Cumbria. It’ll not be easy to leave my family behind as I’ve never spent this much time away from them; maybe my wife and daughter are looking forward to a break for freedom? or will they pine for my return? It’s probably best not knowing either way!
Here I am at the Ravenglass & Eskdale Steam Railway turntable, the starting point of the Lakeland Way. Believe it or not, I’m actually pulling my stomach in on this shot. Maybe I’ll look a tad different at the end? On my Coast to Coast walk in 2011, I actually put on a stone in weight, but that was with the luxury of using a luggage transfer company and staying in posh hotels and b&bs. However, this walk is going to be very different as it will include carrying all my gear and camping each night.
So off I go leaving my wife to run the fort for twelve days.
13th September 2023 – Camping the Lakeland Way
I’ve finished. That’s 144 miles of camping the Lakeland Way. What an experience, and more importantly, now that I’ve done the whole route in one go, I can honestly say that the sections connect brilliantly. I feel quite emotional about it to be honest, and I just want to thank everyone for your support and for following my journey.
My wife, Jaclyn, and daughter, Emily, met me at the estuary crossing and walked the last mile to Ravenglass. Also joining them was John Falcus, the first person to walk the Lakeland Way, who kindly travelled all the way from Newcastle to celebrate the occasion.
10th October 2023 – LDWA
Since the ‘big launch’ of the Lakeland Way on 3rd August and sharing it on social media, the response has been so overwhelming and a total surprise. I wasn’t expecting so many people embracing the project and providing me with so much feedback. The most unexpected correspondence I received was from the Long Distance Walkers Association; while working on the project I had this hopeful thought that one day in the future, probably in a few years from the ‘big launch’, the walk would eventually be on their list. So you can imagine my surprise when only after two hours of my post going live on social media, that someone from the association contacted me to say that the Lakeland Way will be added to their database. I was gobsmacked, and to be honest a little emotional about the whole experience. I’m now happy to say that all the info has now been added to their website: ldwa.org.uk/Lakeland-Way
1st December 2023 – Strider
I’m so thankful for the Long Distance Walkers Association for contacting me regarding the Lakeland Way, and of course stunned they did so just two hours after I shared the project on social media on the evening of 3rd August 2023. Since that time they’ve added the details on their website and database, and today I received a copy of their Strider magazine which includes a mention of the long-distance walk in “New LDPs”.
One happy Lakeland walker here.
“A tour of the Lake District from Ravenglass, devised by LDWA member Richard Jennings. Its twelve sections take in many of Lakeland’s valleys and passes, using old coach and drove roads, corpes routes, packhorse tracks, mining and quarrying paths. The route is, as Richard puts it, “….my thank you to Lakeland….devised to take in the scenery, nature and history, rather than being a rush to bag summits along the way”. His website includes PDF maps and GPX files for each section.”
18th December 2023 – Sarah Perry
Ultra runner and Inov-8 athlete, Sarah Perry, became the first person to complete the Lakeland Way Ultra, in a winter time of 41 hours and 25 minutes.
At 07:30 on Saturday, at the Ravenglass Market Cross, Sarah started the challenge and arrived back at the Ravenglass Station turntable at 00:55 on Monday. Sarah endured horrendous weather conditions during the 125 miles of rough Lakeland terrain, most of which was in complete darkness.
“Congratulations to Sarah Perry on becoming the first runner to complete the new 125-mile Lakeland Way. The epic trail loop – which includes 22,000ft of ascent – has been created with the purpose of immersing runners and hikers in the scenery, nature and history of the English Lake District. Ultra runner Sarah battled ferocious winds during much of her Lakeland Way completion, achieved in 41hrs 25mins. She was supported by friends throughout.”
inov-8 All Terrain Running
21st December 2023 – Cumbria Guide
by Danni Murphy
The Lakeland Way
Today is Your Day, Your Mountain is Waiting, So Get on Your Way!
The Lakeland Way is a whole new way to explore the beauty and history of our glorious Lake District.
Traversing 144 miles through stunning valleys and over beautiful peaks, this long-distance hiking route is so much more than a challenge to be completed; it’s an adventure to be seized.
Richard Jennings is the creator of the Lakeland Way, hailing from the Peak District, long-distance walking is something that he has always lived for, and since moving to Cumbria and discovering the vast history that accompanies the spectacular scenery, he simply fell in love and wanted to share that. He said:
“I’ve always wanted to develop a long-distance walk. It was in those early years of walking in my back garden, the Dark Peak, that I first became acquainted with OS Maps and realised the joy of joining the popular routes and creating longer days out in the countryside. This was very rewarding for me, mentally and physically.”
The walk begins and ends in the fishing village of Ravenglass on the western coast. Ravenglass is soaked in history, as is much of the walk. Taking you along old coach and droving roads, corpse routes, and even some Roman footpaths, you will pass close to many important historical sites and immerse yourself in the beauty of the surroundings.
“The Lakeland Way has been devised to take in the scenery, nature, and history rather than being a rush to bag summits along the way. It is not an “official route” or waymarked, but my own personal walk dedicated to the people that have worked and shaped this wonderful landscape.”
Richard has even noted points of interest on the website with photos for reference. The website acts as a guide with an itinerary, photographs, and, of course, the OS maps, which are available to download, allowing you to plan accordingly.
Richard recommends at least 12 days to complete the whole walk. This allows you to take in the areas you are trekking and explore a little, which is a huge part of what he envisioned for this route. He said:
“I didn’t develop this walk with the idea of creating a challenge; it was more to inspire people to delve a little deeper into the story of the valleys and trails they are following. I would encourage anyone who undertakes the walk to set aside time to potter around the hamlets and villages they come across; it’s about discovering all these wonderful hidden gems that are so often overlooked.”
So far, only two people have completed the walk, and you’ll be surprised to hear that Richard is actually the second! John Falcus was the first; he happened upon the Lakeland Way website soon after it went live, and even before Richard had completed the walk himself, John said:
“I was actually looking for a short walk to undertake with my grandson when I found the Lakeland Way, and once I had read into it, I was hooked – it was all I could think about, and I just knew I had to do that walk. It was totally different from anything I had done before; it really felt it was just meant to be. I emailed Richard immediately and started planning right away. I couldn’t give you just one specific highlight of the walk because every day I would come across another view, scenery, or sunset, and that was the new highlight of the trip. It just continued to give, even in the bad weather; it was just amazing, and I do, in fact, recommend it to anybody and everybody.”
The route began as a humble dream conjured by a man alongside his dog companion Frankie, who simply wanted to bring the joy of getting out in the wild to others and pay homage to the stories of those people whose livelihood founded the Lake District we know today.
They have successfully done that, although sadly, Richard’s four-legged walking buddy Frankie never had the chance to complete the walk as he passed away in July 2023, so we urge you to bring your dogs along on this walk and complete it for Frankie!
If you are looking for a new adventure this year that is guaranteed to provide you with memories to last a lifetime and discoveries to be made, then get planning and visit the website. You’ll find all the information, maps, photographs, and contact information for campsites and other accommodations necessary. The walk is accessible for families, dogs (always remember to keep on leads when around livestock), or walking groups.
27th December 2023 – Cumbria Life
by Ian Lamming
Happy Valleys
Walkers have been delivered a new challenge, 144 miles of passes and valleys called the Lakeland Way courtesy of a route planner whose life was changed for the better by Cumbria.
Posing for pictures on an ancient lane, high above Windermere, it is clear that Richard Jennings has come a long way, not simply the hundreds of miles he has walked plotting a brand new route, but in life.
Now 51 and living happily in Cockermouth with his wife Jaclyn and six-year-old daughter Emily, it’s a far cry from his tumultuous childhood in a former West Yorkshire pit village where violence from an alcoholic father and a brutal school regime were a daily occurrence, taking a toll on his mental health.
“I must have been 35 when I started walking as an escape from my demons, having bought a pair of Berghaus boots, fleece and waterproof,” recalls Richard. “One day I thought I needed a break from the long hours of work as a cabinet maker. So I jumped on a train and ended up in Ravenglass.
When I got my first view of Wastwater and Great Gable that was a wow moment; I fell in love with the Lakes and knew I had to change my life. I was travelling more and more from Yorkshire to the Lakes by public transport and completely fell in love with the place. Ironically, this made my depression worse because I found it gut-wrenching to go back. So I quit my job and moved to Cumbria and the first thing that I did was complete Wainwright’s Coast to Coast walk.”
Richard picked up work in the Lakes and became a guide and even met Jaclyn in one of his walking groups. In the evening he still works as a delivery driver leaving him the best part of the day to explore.
“One day we put together the four maps that cover the Lake District and started marking on our favourite linear walks – such as Elterwater to Coniston via Tilberthwaite, Robin Lane from Troutbeck to Ambleside,” he says. “We could see a pattern emerge on the maps like the rim of a wheel. Then it was just a case of joining them all up. And, for me, where better to start and finish my walk than Ravenglass.”
For the next three years Richard and his collie dog Frankie recced the routes walking at least twice the distance of his ‘Lakeland Way’.
“There were issues, like how best to get from the Duddon Valley and back to Ravenglass. This section wasn’t really working so I had to add in an extra day to include Boot, then it did. Wasdale Head to Buttermere was tricky as it was too short and I had to miss out the valley of Mosedale and Black Sail Pass. So I ended up adding another day and included Borrowdale, and by accident I now have 12 days of 12 miles.”
The Lakeland Way – there wasn’t one until this time – follows a theme of valleys and passes rather than peaks. The walk follows old coach and drove roads, corpse routes and tracks used by early traders travelling between the valleys by packhorse. Many paths were once used by miners and quarrymen, who walked from the neighbouring hamlets to reach their workplaces in the depths of the fells. On some sections walkers will follow in the footsteps of Roman soldiers who marched along the valleys and high over the fells between strategically located forts.
The route passes close to many important historical sites where walkers can immerse themselves in the beauty of the Lakes.
“The Lakeland Way has been devised to take in the scenery, nature and history, rather than being a rush to bag summits along the way,” says Richard. “It is not an ‘official route’ or waymarked, but is my own personal walk dedicated to the people who have worked and shaped this wonderful landscape. This is my thank you to Lakeland.
It has been such a joy these last three years to recce and research this project and to build a website to showcase all the information. I’ve also met some wonderful people along the way. Since launching this walk on social media, the response and feedback has been overwhelming.”
First to traverse the full route in one go – even before Richard – was keen long-distance walker John Falcus. He’d searched online for a walk from Patterdale, had come across the site by accident and became hooked. He completed the walk in the pouring rain making him officially the first person to tackle the Lakeland Way.
“I was very delighted and privileged to cross the River Esk and walk with him for the last mile to Ravenglass,” says Richard.
“I lost Frankie this year, so it’s very sad that he never got the chance to complete the whole route in one go. He was my best friend and walking companion for over 12 years on the Lakeland Fells, and towards the end he checked every path with me.
I finally walked the route in September, in really hot weather. It was 30 degrees most days and for the first time in my life I got blisters because of the heat and the 13kg pack I was carrying, which was embarrassing. The rough terrain and the heat proved just too much for my feet. I had four days of suffering and when I got to Keswick every single shop had run out of plasters and I had to get Jaclyn to drive over with some.”
On his travels Richard has also come across a number of celebrities including climbing Sharp Edge with Sir Chris Bonington, interviewed by broadcaster and former politician Michael Portillo and walking with comedian Bill Bailey. He has also raised much-needed funds for charities including the Calvert Trust and supported the Friends of Blencathra when it went up for sale. But it’s the local history that fascinates him the most.
“I would like people to consider the local history as they walk along as I don’t want us to forget about the people who lived in these valleys, and those who have shaped them over the centuries,” he says.
“I came across a run-down building called Red Brow in Eskdale that isn’t even on the map. It was home to a lady, Anne Fossey, who came across from Ireland during the famine in the mid 1800s. She ended up in the Crimean War being one of the ‘forgotten nurses’. Apparently she smuggled onto a supply ship to be with her husband, Robert, and lived in a military camp looking after the soldiers. She came back home and gave birth on the ship, naming her child ‘Mangerton’ after the vessel.
Her husband was killed in the war and she lived at Red Brow with her oldest son and his family. He drowned in the Esk nearby, and one grandson committed suicide in the sheepfold above the holding. A second grandson became the first to leave Eskdale to fight in the First World War. Anne would sit outside her house in a chair smoking a pipe wearing her husband’s war medal, and the rumour went round that she had been one of the Florence nurses. I really got hooked by things like this – seemingly just a pile of rubble in a wood by the River Esk, but a great story.
You get to meet valley folk of a certain age as you walk and they have lovely tales to tell. I love researching their stories. Very little has been done valley to valley, especially the old packhorse routes, so I thought I might be able to do something and encapsulate the history along the way.”
All the Lakeland Way maps are available to download from the website and the itinerary pages are full of information to plan the walk. Photographs have been included and eventually it will feature comprehensive points-of-interest pages.
Richard plans to write a guidebook, made from waterproof paper and including digitally-drawn maps, which will be simple to follow.
“It’s the first thing I have ever done that I have felt really proud of,” he says. “For the next few years, during the school holidays, we plan to walk the Lakeland Way and camp each night. I cannot think of a greater adventure for my family, providing so much at such little cost.
My wish is for my daughter, Emily, who was born prematurely weighing just 1.6lbs and is now aged six, to one day say: “Can we do daddy’s walk?” I can’t stress enough how much this has helped my mental health.
When you look back at what you have done in a particular section it can leave you in tears of happiness.
My life has changed so much from being pretty bad up to the age of about 40, to being what it is today with my lovely wife, bundle of joy daughter, and of course the Lakes.”
31st December 2023 – Happy New Year!
2023 didn’t start well for us. It was becoming clear that our border collie, Frankie, was certainly starting to slow down. In December 2022, on Sharp Edge in snow and ice, we first became concerned about him. However, it was on a second walk over Blencathra in mid January 2023 that we knew his big walks on the Lakeland Fells were over. Frankie continued on low-level walks for the next few months, mainly while checking the sections for the Lakeland Way.
On 10th May we travelled down to Hereford to meet our new addition to Jennings Towers, Tika (Tikaani), a blue merle border collie who came from a working farm. Although still very boisterous, he has settled into our routine nicely and is becoming a grand dog. 2024 will be a big year for him, which will include introducing him to the joys of scrambling and wild camping, but there is much more training to do first though.
Much of the next few months were spent introducing Tika to the Lake District landscape, with Frankie as a guide for him. We had many visits to Buttermere and Borrowdale, and it soon became clear that Tika was very fond of Lakeland becks.
We lost Frankie on 11th July, and his ashes were scattered around a yew tree in our favourite valley of Borrowdale. His loss has been very painful for us all. We visit the tree often to remember our days on the Lakeland Fells, but it’s very sad that he never got the chance to walk the Lakeland Way all in one go; he went on every recce with me to check that all the paths linked together well. He will never be forgotten. We miss you buddy!
John Falcus became the first person to walk the Lakeland Way all in one go, which he completed on 29th July. This encouraged me, on 3rd of August, to ‘go public’ and launch the project on social media. Since that evening the response has been so overwhelming, and I cannot thank everyone enough for all the feedback and the ongoing support.
On her sixth birthday in August, Emily climbed England’s highest mountain, Scafell Pike. Not only that, she even managed to climb Lingmell at the end to tick another one off her list. 2024 will certainly involve more adventures for Emily and Tika. Emily achieved so much in the second-half of the year: In September she started with Beavers and then came home with her first badge. At the end of September she rode a horse for the first time. In November she lost her very first tooth and took part in a Panathlon event as part of her school curriculum.
On 2nd September I started my journey on the Lakeland Way, carrying all my gear in glorious but very hot weather. Yes, of course I’m going to be biased, but I truly mean it when I say that it is the best long-distance path I’ve ever walked. It was tough with the weight, but everyday was so enjoyable. I am officially the second person to walk the route, but I know there are a lot more people planning to complete it in 2024 and 2025.
The highlight for me in 2023 was when, just after midnight on 18th December, ultra runner Sarah Perry completed the Lakeland Way Ultra. Enduring horrendous weather conditions, Sarah finished the 125 miles in an incredible time of 41hrs 25mins. As well as being extremely happy about someone embracing the route that I had developed, it was an absolute privilege to be there to witness such an event. A massive thank you to Luke Kennedy, David Wood, and the support runners, for being such stars throughout the event.
Thank you everyone for following the Lakeland Way journey in 2023.