Clappersgate is a small village in the Lake District, about 1 mile west of Ambleside along the A593. There is a road bridge over the River Brathay in the village, but it is a little difficult to find a good viewpoint. However by continuing a further 0.3 miles beyond the village along the A593 there is a small footbridge over the river that makes an attractive subject. This is a location that simply cries out to be photographed in autumn, when the tree colour is simply superb.
Location and Parking
Post Code: LA22 9NE
What 3 Words – ambitions.moss.garage
Take the A593 west out of Ambleside, heading towards Skelwith Bridge. After about 1 mole, reach the village of Clappersgate, where the B5286 to Hawkshead crosses the River Brathay. Ignore this turning and carry on for about 0.3 miles along the A593 where there is space to park on the right side of the road. Across the road there is a path marker pointing to the Brathay Church Hall which is on the other side of the river, over the footbridge.
Clappersgate Footbridge
This part of the River Brathay is heavily wooded, and in the autumn the whole area is a riot of colour. Even the short path down to the footbridge is worth a picture or two.
Path To The Footbridge
Another View Of The Path
For a view of the bridge, turn left down to a small beach area on the side of the river. When the river is flowing high, this area can be quite small and it is not possible to go very far downstream, so the bridge may be partly hidden behind the overhanging branches.
Clappersgate Footbridge
At other times when the river level is lower, some more rocks appear in the river and by going slightly downstream there is a wider view of the bridge.
Clappersgate Footbridge From Downstream
I have seen some pictures of the footbridge taken from the opposite bank of the river, but in our most recent visit when the river was quite full, access from this side looked difficult, and the views were obscured by overhanging branches. Possibly if the river level were lower there might be a gravel bank that could be accessed, so it is worth looking out alternative viewpoints.