Gilwilly: Mid Morning Meander

Escape the daily grind and discover a haven for wildlife and people in the middle of Penrith.

Distance 1.25 miles

Difficulty Easy

Elevation 43m

Avg Time 30mins

Route images

Walk Information

This short walk will help clear your mind and get closer to nature, see the seasons and colours change at Thacka Beck’s wetland and see if you can spot some of the abundant birdlife from the comfort of one of the benches and viewing points around the site.

Ideal for anyone working or living locally to leave their desk and discover nature on their doorstep.

Please note that some of the rough stone paths around the reserve are sloping and there are steps/a steep footbridge to climb. The rest of the route that skirts Penrith town centre and is tarmac or pavement.

Surface Details

Tarmac pavement along the road sections (70%), loose stone pathways through Thacka Beck nature reserve (30%).

Accessibility

There are wheelchair-friendly kissing gates leading to Thacka Beck Nature Reserve at Thacka Lane, Cowper Road and Bowerbank Way.

The narrow underpass and other kissing gates along the route restrict accessibility.

There are a couple of steep sections, plus a steep footbridge that crosses the railway line at the top of Brunswick Square making it unsuitable for people with reduced mobility, wheelchair users and pushchairs.

Please be aware of livestock whilst walking in the countryside, most cows and sheep on public right of ways are safe but stay alert to the potential risk to you and your walking party, especially with cows and calves (see the link for more info. to stay safe). Keep your dog on a lead around all livestock, even if your dog is especially well-behaved, the poor sheep don’t know this! Especially in lambing time, try to leave the field as calm as you found it. To learn more about walking in the countryside around farm animals please visit: Countryside Walking Tips: Safety Around Livestock at: www.rspcaassured.org.uk/farmed-animal-welfare/other-animal-welfare-concerns/advice-for-walking-in-the-countryside/

Downloads

Route Map Printable

Walk Supplied By

Penrith Business Parks

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Plan Your Visit

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Nearest Bus Stop: Musgrave Street

Parking: Street Parking

Click the button to get directions to this walk route

Weather

River Levels

Low

0.05 metres

Data provided from Watson Terrace river station monitoring Thacka Beck

Directions

1

Start on Gilwilly Road at footpath entrance opposite Gilwilly Lane. Restricted access through staggered barriers.
2

Follow the sharp right-hand bend and walk until you reach the junction with Bowerbank Way. Turn left and cross over the road.
3

Turn right after 20 yards and enter Thacka Beck nature reserve. Follow gravel path across footbridge.
4

Turn right at the end and follow the path through the reserve – keeping the pond on your left.
5

Follow path until you reach the end. Go through the kissing gate and along the path under the railway bridge.
6

Take a sharp turn to the right. Climb up a small flight of steps.
7

Follow a short gravel path ending in another kissing gate. Go through the gate and follow the path along the fence line to the road.
8

Turn right joining Lark Lane and follow it as it bears round to the left.
9

Lark Lane joins Foster Street. Continue to follow until you reach the junction with Stricklandgate. Turn right on Stricklandgate heading downhill.
10

At the foot of the hill, where the road joins the circular one way system, bear round to the right, taking the second of two road junctions on your right onto Brunswick Square.
11

Brunswick Square runs steeply uphill. Follow it to the end and turn left onto Brunswick Terrace.
12

Take the first turning on the right onto a narrow road (towards the railway line).
13

Cross the railway line using the steep footbridge. Follow the path to the end at Gilwilly Road.
14

Bear left onto Gilwilly Road.
15

Turn right onto Gilwilly Lane.
16

At the end of the road walk through bollards onto a gravel path, keeping allotments on your left. If you have some time to spare, why not visit our Eden Community Tree Nursery at allotment No.99! Walk to end of the path to complete your Mid-Morning Meander!