John Barwise takes a walk in the park...

As the New Year gets under way, why not take a gentle stroll around Fell Foot Country Park to burn off those Christmas excesses.

Nothing too strenuous - just a slow meander through gardens and parklands and a promenade along the shores of Windermere.

Fell Foot is an 18-acre Victorian park that offers a wonderful mix of open grasslands, mixed woodlands and wildflower meadows.

The gardens contain Corsican pine trees and many different Victorian ornamental plants: rhododendrons line some of the many paths that criss-cross the park.

There is a children's play area and much of park has been designed to stimulate their interest in wildlife and conservation.

The park is also an important habitat for bats six different species have been recorded here.

Check out the bat and bird boxes 100 boxes have been installed, some of which have hidden cameras and transmit live pictures to a wildlife display area.

It's a great place for a picnic with fantastic views looking down the lake and over to Grizedale Forest and the fells beyond.

There is a tearoom and a shop that are open for much of the year (phone for out of season opening times, tel 015395-31273). There are numerous leisure facilities available during the holiday season including fishing and rowing boat hire.

The park also has disability access, Braille information, toilets for disabled, powered mobility vehicles and wheelchair access to all public areas.

This is the National Trust's only country park. A wide range of family events are held here throughout the year and the staff are very helpful there is something for everyone.

Fell Foot is a park for all seasons and definitely worth a visit.

Routes There are many trails to choose from and most are linked so you can move across different routes, depending on what captures your interest.

Ask at the main entrance office for a copy of the colourful route map.

Starting at the main car park (1), follow the tarmac lane for about 200m and turn left at (2). Follow this path south to the children's play area (3). Continue following this path along the lake front until you arrive at the tearoom (4). Turning left out of the tearoom building, follow the path around to (5) then right to (2) and back to the car park (1).

INFORMATION....

Overview: A combination of tarmac, compacted gravel and loose gravel paths. Most paths are suitable for accompanied wheelchair access although there are steps in some places.

Gradient: Mostly gentle inclines with a few steeper sections on some of the paths.

Distance: The circular route described above is about 1.5km.

Time: Allow two hours more if you spend time in the play areas.

Map ref: OS Explorer OL (Outdoor Leisure) 7: The English Lakes, South-eastern area.

Grid ref: 381872 Getting there: Fell Foot Country Park is located on the A592, at the southern end of Windermere, about 2km north of Newby Bridge.

Public transport: Bus - Stagecoach in Cumbria 618 AmblesideBarrow (connections from Windermere). Timetables change with the seasons, so call Traveline on 0870-608-2608 for details.

Starting point: At main car park (1).

Parking: There are two car parks, charges: £2.50 for 2 hours, £4.50 for 4 hours, £6 all day. Members' season tickets obtainable from most NT outlets in Cumbria.

Refreshments: Tearoom and shop.

Toilets: There are toilets, including disabled access toilets.

Fell Foot contact details: Tel 015395-31273, Fax 015395-30049, E-mail fellfootpark@ ntrust.org.uk