|
|
Welcome to your personal and friendly guide to the English Lake District!
We're different because we know the Lakes
inside out - we've been regular visitors for over 40 years. We've built
up a detailed knowledge of the best places to stay, the best
restaurants, the finest cafes and bars, the most attractive and
delightful walks (whether you want to climb a mountain or stroll along
the edge of one of the beautiful lakes), the most exciting and fun-filled family
activities and attractions, and even the best shops in the district!
|
Where would you go if you wanted to see the classic Lakeland view, the one that sums up everything about the English Lakes?
Or if you were buying outdoor gear, where would you go for
great personal service and advice - from experts who really know what they're talking about? What about
eating out? Who's in and who's out of fashion? Where can you go for
the best pub food? Or an
exquisite gourmet treat? And how can you find the most comfortable and enjoyable
accommodation - the place to stay that exactly suits you and your needs? You'd like a romantic weekend away or you just have to have king-size beds? No problem!
We have the answers to these and all your other questions - saving you hours looking around, avoiding disappointment, and simply giving you the best holiday experience you can have!
The Lakes attracts many thousands of
people every year, yet the timeless character of this region retains its beauty, charm and
tranquillity. You can easily find yourself alone on some of the finest
mountain scenery in Europe, or you can explore the beautiful
valleys and little towns with a host of exciting restaurants, cafes,
shops and galleries.
Whether you want to
trek the high passes of the Lakeland mountains, take a weekend break, or plan a fun day out, we can give you the ideas you need to make any Lakeland trip a rip-roaring success!
You can choose where to go in the Lakes -
and, of course, on this website - by clicking on one of the links in the
left hand column, or you can take a short cut to see our favourite Lake
District places and pastimes in our exciting, handy and time-saving "Top Ten" feature to the
right of this page.
So which of the Lakes
will you visit first? The bustling little towns of Bowness, Ambleside
and Windermere offer shops, restaurants, cinemas, and just about everything that everyone in the family could want. You could cruise slowly and
sedately down the length of Windermere in a vintage steamer, stride out from Ambleside on a 20 km (14 mile) trek across 7 high peaks, or sit and watch the swans feeding at Bowness Bay.
Or maybe you'd prefer to visit Coniston, a beautiful and tranquil village with walks through the ancient copper mining districts to the top of Coniston Old Man, where you're rewarded with truly amazing views down to the Lake. Once you're back at lake level, you can visit the home of John Ruskin, anthropologist and social reformer, at Brantwood, and feel the
tranquillity of his ancient lake-side home.
Esthwaite Water offers you the chance of some trout fishing and a visit to the enchanting village of Hawkshead, with its tiny streets, charming pubs and delicious Lakeland treats from the local delicatessen.
On the other hand, Keswick is the archetypal Lakes' market town, much unchanged for hundreds of years, and it's the perfect base for seeing the sheer, unsurpassed wild beauty of the Northern Lake District. And Bassenthwaite Lake, Crummock Water, and Derwentwater may be just about the most beautiful places in England.
|
|
|
It's all a matter of opinion, of course, and so we'd love to hear and read about your experiences. We'd like you to email us and write about what you enjoyed and what you didn't, and we especially want to hear about the places you loved and the places that maybe weren't so good.
We truly hope you find as much happiness and pleasure in the Lakes as we've had over the years, and perhaps we'll meet at the top of the Langdale Pikes one day.......or wherever. Meanwhile, the Lakes are yours to enjoy!
Your guides,
Rod & Helen
PS: We list many hotels in every
price range, with personal recommendations and observations. If you find a hotel that deserves to be on the list, please let us know!
|
The Lakes has been home to some of the
greatest writers and artists in English history: Wordsworth, Coleridge,
Shelly, and more recently the distinguished talents of the Heaton-Cooper
family. Get the low-down on the Lakes cultural scene here.
|
Who'd have thought some of the best theatre in England was taking
place in Keswick's theatre by the lake? But that's not
all...whatever cultural activity you're into,
you'll find it in the Lakes. |
Explore the stately homes, abbeys, churches
and castles of the area. The Lakes has many fine properties to explore,
all richly rewarding and
worth a visit. |
Need to know something? You'll most likely find it here.
Whether it's the location of the local Tourist Information Centre,
the transport network, or useful phone numbers,
this is the starting point for your
search. |
Featured websites
Featured area of the month - Ullswater
and the Eden Valley
Ullswater and the Eden Valley has many
attractions but is less well known and certainly less visited than areas
like Bowness or Windermere. Try a relaxing cruise on the lake and see the views as you glide down the
Lake on one of the beautifully restored steamers, including the famous
Michelin-starred Sharrow Bay Hotel located on the shoreline. If you take a
boat to Howtown and head for Martindale there are some superb walks along
the eastern side of the lake. Cyclists will enjoy the Eden Valley
Circular Cycle Route, not least for the wonderfully delicious pub food along the
way.
Those with an artistic streak will enjoy the great contemporary art
galleries such as the Upfront Gallery or Beckstone's Art Gallery. Penrith
and Kirkby Stephen have lots of specialist arts and crafts shops which are
great if you want a souvenir - your own piece of Cumbrian craft to take
home with you! Of course there's also Wetherigg Pottery's 'Pots of Fun'
studio where you can make and paint your own pot. The keen gardener will
want to explore Hutton-in-the-Forest's walled garden, as well as Acorn
Banks' Discovery Herb Garden and the hundreds of varieties of roses at
Dalemain Historic House.
Rheged, housed in Europe's largest
grass-covered building, makes for a self-contained day out complete with
giant screen cinema, specialist local retail outlets and a fabulous contemporary restaurant.
If you like special foods, you'll never settle for ordinary chocolate again
after you've tasted one of the fine chocolates at Kennedy's Fine
Chocolates in Orton. And after you've savoured Abbott Lodge Jersey Ice
Cream nothing else will do! Try the award-winning chocolate-almond cake at
The Village Bakery located in Melmerby or tuck into some tasty vegetarian
food at the Little Salkeld Watermill where just about everything is
organic and local.
Farmers' markets are held all year round. Orton Formers Market, which you
can enjoy every Saturday, was awarded the National Farmers' Market of the
Year 2005 and is listed in the Guardian Good Food Guide. Other great
events to look out for include Appleby Jazz Festival, the Penrith Beer and
Sausage Festival and the Lowther Horse Driving Trails.
See more on our activities page!
A Walk Around Loughrigg
Tarn and Skelwith Force
A walk full of interest with good views all the way. The route includes a
section around a tranquil tarn and a visit to an impressive waterfall.
Distance: 7 km / 4.5 miles Ascent: 90m / 300 ft Time: 2 - 3hrs
Start in Elterwater. Walk through the car park to access the Cumbria Way footpath,
then follow this southeastwards down the valley. Initially the path tracks
the river, but just over 0.5km further on it kinks to the left and then
enters a strip of mixed deciduous woodland which lines the northern shore
of Elterwater. The slopes beneath these trees are seen at their best in
May when they are covered by a carpet of bluebells.
Just before reaching the far boundary of the woodlands be careful to
locate the wide cart track on your left. This leads diagonally uphill to
reach the BS343 road at a wooden gate. Hop over the low wall side and
cross the road diagonally to your right to access, through a kissing gate,
the footpath on the far side. The path-cum-watercourse winds to the
top of the wooded brow ahead , veering right in the process. Use the stile
to cross over the stone wall further to your right, then continue walking
uphill eastwards along the path which heads towards the tree-fringed
horizon. Another narrow track is bisected at right angles in getting
there.
Pass over the craggy spur adjacent to a drystone wall on your right and
descend towards Loughrigg Tarn, which shortly comes into view down below.
(There are superb views along Great Langdale and towards Wetherlam from
the rocky knoll off to your left as you pass over the spur.) Turn left and
towards north to descend the wide track which crosses rolling fellsides.
The route then connects with the entrance to a secluded stone cottage
named "Crag Head". Use this gravel drive to reach the road below, passing
by a second attractive cottage in getting there.
Turn left along the lane, but within less than 200 paces turn off right
over the stile to access the signed public footpath which leads down
across meadows and then around the north-eastern shore of Loughrigg Tarn.
As you progress further south eastwards, around these tranquil waters
there are the most superb views across the tarn towards the Langdale Pikes
and Bow Fell. Often spectacular sunsets may be observed from here.
Climb up the grassy bank away from the water's edge to pass through a
wooden gate in the railings above. Then turn right along the driveway and
beyond another gate. Turn right again to pass by another residence named "Dillygarth".
In quick succession turn left, right and left again through the maze of
narrow lanes which converge here, to select the one which leads steeply
downhill, most directly towards Skelwith Bridge. Cross with care over the
A593 Ambleside - Coniston road below and walks past the Skelwith Bridge
Hotel.
Turn right immediately past
the hotel car park, then select the left-hand fork nearest to the River
Brathay to continue along tile signed footpath leading west back towards
Elterwater. The obvious return route conveniently leads to Kirkstone
Galleries with its attractions, including tempting refreshment facilities.
From here, the path back leads between the quarry worksheds and then
beneath trees to Skelwith Force, down below to your left. These impressive
falls are well worth a closer inspection but do be careful, especially if
there are youngsters with you, for this rocky area can be very slippery.
Afterwards, continue up the valley path where
a kissing gate provides access to the attractive low-lying meadows which flank
the meandering River Brathay. Beyond, the return route re-enters the
woodlands bordering Elterwater; from here retrace your outward steps back
through the village and to the Langdale Estate or the village car-park.
Many of the images at the
top of the pages on this website are from
Andrew Leaney's website. This is a highly enjoyable website with many
of Andrew's walks and photographs.
Lakeland
places Other
Lake District Websites
Other sites (2)
Other sites (3)
London Visitor Guide
Thinking of a holiday in
Devon?
More Lakes walks can be found
here. You can also go here for many
more Lake District walks.
And the latest mountain walks are here.
|
|
