Located excessive on the western facet of Kendal – the picturesque market city referred to as the “Gateway to the Lake District” – Serpentine Woods is a tranquil, wooded space identified largely simply by locals. This space of land near Queens Highway and inside simple strolling distance of the city was initially used for grazing however planted with bushes within the late 18th Century and has been in style with Kendalians ever since. The varied bushes and shrubs that you simply see develop on a mattress of limestone pavement which you’ll see uncovered in some areas. In Spring, the woods are full of an aroma of untamed garlic and, all year long, they’re dwelling to squirrels and a wide range of hen species.
There are many totally different paths that you may take via the realm and, though the woodland is comparatively small, these complete round 3 miles in size. In addition to being in style with canine walkers, maybe the largest draw is for households with younger kids who love to participate within the Serpentine Woods Alphabet Path.
Serpentine Woods Alphabet Path
Serpentine Woods Alphabet Path is a round, well-maintained 1.2-mile (1.9 km) stroll. It’s accessible to pushchairs, making it appropriate for households with younger kids, notably these in search of an ideal mix of nature, journey, and academic enjoyable. It’s an ideal various to the tougher fells of the Lake District, making it a great introduction to strolling for younger kids.
Initially created in 1992 (and since revamped), the path is an interactive and interesting expertise designed to captivate creativeness and promote studying. Scattered all through the woods are 26 totally different objects to establish, from an acorn at the beginning to a zebra on the end.
And sure, there’s even one thing for the letter ‘X’…. educationally, the path helps younger kids with letter recognition and phonics in an interesting, hands-on method, while additionally making studying extra tangible and memorable.
The varied objects you’ll encounter have been intricately created by native artists and positioned at places excessive and low all through the woods.
A fun-filled morning or afternoon
Even with little legs, this self-guided path will solely take round an hour to stroll, except one or two objects show to be notably exhausting to seek out, however it’s a enjoyable approach to spend a morning or afternoon, watching your kids’s faces gentle up with pleasure every time they unearth a brand new object.
Combining this scavenger hunt and academic journey with studying the alphabet and interesting with the pure world is a superb approach to foster a love for nature and studying in younger minds, while having fun with some recent air and gorgeous views over Kendal, to not point out offering the bodily train that’s important for youngsters’s well being and well-being.
An important various to the Lake District fells
For households with younger kids, the Serpentine Woods Alphabet Path is a incredible various to the extra arduous fells of the Lake District. The manageable 1.2-mile round route is ideal for little legs and gives a mild introduction to strolling. It’s a wonderful approach to construct kids’s confidence and enthusiasm for climbing, setting a basis for future adventures within the tougher terrain of the Lake District hills.
Possibly subsequent time they’ll tackle a few of the simpler peaks resembling Orrest Head or Gummer’s Howe. And, earlier than it, they’ll be scaling Helvellyn, taking up Striding Edge or conquering Scafell Pike!
Every little thing it is advisable to plan your journey in 2024
Sensible ideas for visiting
To benefit from your go to to the Serpentine Woods Alphabet Path, listed below are just a few sensible ideas:
- Timing: There are normally folks within the woods at any time in the course of the day, even when it’s raining, however it by no means tends to get too busy, so you actually can go any time and revel in a comparatively quiet expertise.
- Footwear: Put on a sturdy pair of footwear because the terrain will be uneven in locations, even thought the paths are well-maintained.
- Climate: Verify the climate forecast earlier than your go to. Whereas the woods provide some shelter, it’s finest to be ready for all circumstances. If there are robust winds, you would possibly in fact wish to re-consider visiting as a result of elevated danger of falling bushes or branches.
- Refreshments: There are not any amenities inside the woods, so deliver any drinks or snacks with you, disposing of any litter within the bin offered on the entrance to the path.
- Parking: When you select to drive to the woods slightly than stroll from the city, there’s a small automotive park simply off Queen’s Highway, the place the path begins. This tends to be fairly busy however there’s normally an area or two out there.
- Navigation: Though the path is well-marked, it’s useful to have a map of Serpentine Woods – scan the QR code you see under to acquire an internet map of the Alphabet Path.
We hope you get pleasure from your go to to the hidden gem that’s Serpentine Woods! Entrance to the woodland is totally freed from cost and the Alphabet Path guarantees an unforgettable expertise for households with younger kids. It combines the fun of nature, the joys of discovery and the advantages of academic play into one pleasant morning or afternoon.
Did you get pleasure from this text?
Obtain comparable content material direct to your inbox.
Please allow JavaScript in your browser to submit the shape