Staveley: Nature Trails, Cycling Routes and Industrial History

Staveley combines outings along the River Kent with woodland paths, cycling routes and local industrial history. If you’re looking for a hotel in Staveley, these different themes can guide your plans: from a woodland circular walk to a longer cycling loop, and from scenic views to historic buildings. This can help you decide which themes you’d like to include in your trip.

Paths along the River Kent and through the woods

The “Staveley Riverside” route follows a flat path along the River Kent and a small paved road. It loops back to Staveley Mill Yard and offers views towards Kentmere Valley. The river, the route and views towards the valley shape this walk.

At Staveley Woodlands, the “Paws and Claws Trail” invites families to use clues and information boards to discover ten species living in the woods and the tracks they leave behind. The circular route in Craggy Wood is 1.2 kilometres long. These offer different ways to explore the woods: a family-focused search for tracks along the trail, or a walk with a set distance in Craggy Wood.

Access is also important when planning your visit: because of a road closure near Staveley Woodlands Nature Reserve, access is restricted until April 2027. However, the reserve remains accessible through the Craggy Wood gate. Check access again before your visit.

Cycling and getting around

The “Lakeland Fringes” cycling route is a 10-mile (16-kilometre) loop from Staveley to Windermere and back to Staveley. It follows the traffic-free National Cycle Network Route 6 to Windermere and returns via quiet minor roads. The route starts and ends at Staveley Mill Yard. There is a 7-mile (11-kilometre) shortcut for the return journey.

The “Staveley Community Ebike Scheme” has two e-bikes named Reston and Craggy. They are based at Staveley Mill Yard and can be used for rides in the surrounding area on a pay-as-you-use basis. If you’re planning to use one of the e-bikes, confirm availability before your trip. Mill Yard is therefore both the starting and finishing point for the cycling route and the scheme’s base.

Bus 555 may also be useful for getting around: it runs from Kendal to Windermere and stops in Staveley hourly until early evening. Check the timetable again before your trip if you’re planning to travel by bus.

Churches and mill history

The Church of St James in Over Staveley was built in 1864–1865 by J. S. Crowther and is a Grade II listed building. A June 2026 update is relevant for visitors: at that time, the church had been closed for twelve months because of structural problems with the tower’s spire and a closure at the lychgate. Check the current status before visiting.

Only the tower remains of the former church of St Margaret’s in Staveley; the church was demolished in 1865. The tower is thought to date from 1388. The two churches therefore point to different periods in the history of the village: the construction date and architect are recorded for St James, while St Margaret’s is characterised by its surviving tower and the uncertain date of its founding.

The mills also tell the story of Staveley’s economic development. A fulling mill was already operating here in 1341. The River Kent was historically vital to local industry; once, more than 30 mills depended on its water power. The 19th-century mill buildings were built for processing wool, woodworking and grinding grain, and were later adapted for other purposes. Together, these details show both the long history of using the river and how the mill buildings have changed over time.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Bowness-on-Solway, Seascale, Sedbergh, Carlisle, Wetheral, Crosby Garrett, Whitbeck, Watermillock.

For the regional travel overview: Cumbria.