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Welcome to your personal and friendly guide to the English Lake District!
(The picture above is the view from
Silver Howe
Summit, courtesy Andrew Leaney) 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!
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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 region retains its beauty, charm and
tranquillity. You can easily find yourself alone among 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.
Stephen Rowell -
SDR Photographic
Stephen offers a wide range of affordable
contemporary photographic services including wedding celebrations, family
portraiture, commercial and other special events photography. He is based
in Silloth on the Cumbrian coast but is willing to travel around the
country, although his main area of business is in Cumbria, the North East
and southern Scotland. Click on the photo learn more, or here to visit his
website, SDR Photographic. |
Elkie Brooks 50th
anniversary show to visit Penrith
Elkie
Brooks,
one of the UK's most loved singers, will bring her own 50
anniversary show to Penrith on November 6 as part of a
year-long tour. Tickets are now on sale.
Eden Arts welcome Elkie Brooks to the Penrith
Leisure Centre, on September 11. Elkie Brooks has been in the
music business for five decades and is still
one of the most popular live performers in the country. Elkie has the voice, versatility and energy to uplift, amaze and
entertain audiences, with a massive range of tunes from rock
to jazz to ballads.
The public have been flocking to watch Elkie perform for many
years, but the last few years have produced some
of the most incredible performances of her career. Her passionate
performances and her rapport with the audience have made her concerts an
unforgettable experience.
Tickets: £20. Doors open 7.30pm.
www.elkiebrooks.com
Buy tickets online at
www.seetickets.com
or by calling 01768 863450
Eden Arts presents:
Kenny Ball on Sunday 15 August, 7pm
Maddy Prior on Saturday 16 October, 7pm
Billy Bragg on Sunday 5 December, 7pm
Tickets on sale at
www.seetickets.com
or Penrith Leisure Centre 01768 863450
Visit
www.edenarts.co.uk for more information.
Folk legend Maddy Prior comes to
Penrith
Folk singer Maddy Prior is in
Penrith on Saturday 16 October as part of her Seven for Old England Tour.
Tickets are now on sale. Maddy will be playing at Penrith Leisure Centre
as part of the Eden Arts Programme.
Maddy is one of the most enduring, influential and respected artists in
British music; she was awarded the MBE in 2001. Her forthcoming tour,
Seven for Old England, is based on her latest album - Mike Harding called
it absolutely fabulous. Maddy Prior will be accompanied by Benji
Kirkpatrick and Giles Lewin, who Maddy has toured with many times before.
Both are members of the folk collective Bellowhead.
Her autumn tour will be a
sell-out so buy your tickets now for her Penrith concert.
Penrith Leisure Centre: Saturday 16 October, doors open 7pm. Tickets
(£15.50) now on sale: call 01768 863450 or online at
www.seetickets.com .
www.maddyprior.co.uk
Part of the
Best in Eden Festival
Family Festival and Tate Movie Project Workshop
A family day featuring the Tate’s touring project for children, resident
artists and craft makers, art, magicians, fire eating, food and
drink stalls, stilt walking, historic re-enactments, shadow puppets,
treasure trail, live music and barbecue. The Tate Movie Project is an
exciting animated film project in collaboration with Aardman Animation.
The Tate Movie Project will include children, aged 5-11, who can create
their own animated movie. See gallery workshops, the interactive website
and this movie roadshow. You can find out more on the Tate movie project
at www.tatemovie.co.uk
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We'd like to hear and read about your
experiences. Email us and tell us what you enjoyed and what you didn't -
we especially want to hear about your experiences in hotels and
restaurants.
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!
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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.
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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
Why Not Do Something Different?
If you fancy trying something different on
your holiday, Kendal Mountaineering Services provide bespoke
adventurous activities and outdoor training courses in the English Lake
District.
This company has an established record of
offering memorable and – at the same time - value for money experiences of
all kinds to suit all ages and abilities – in every area of the Lake
District. They offer anything from a half day of activities to a full day
depending on what you want to do. All the courses are tailor made to suit
your requirements – and this is probably their unique selling point.
Moreover, they will design a suitable program for all ages, and
all sizes of groups. All people - from individuals to large groups - are
welcome, and discounts apply to groups booking above the minimum numbers. What they
offer is as follows:
Half day activities (£40 per person, minimum 2
people)
Hhalf day activities can be combined to make a
multi-activity day.
Canoeing, Kayaking, Ghyll scrambling,
Canyoning, Abseiling, Introduction to rock climbing, Orienteering, Team
building events.
Full day activities (Price depending on
activity – minimum £70 per person. Minimum group size - 2 people)
Caving days – introductory (level 1trip),
Caving days – advanced (level 2 trip), Lake District Classic Rock
Multi-pitch climbing days (guided), Guided Lake District Classic
Scrambles, Guided mountain walking days, Winter skills days,
Hen days, Stag days, Corporate Events.
Outdoor skills training courses (prices start at £75 per person, per
day - depending on course.
Navigation skills training courses (1 or 2 day
courses), Introduction to rock climbing, Learning to lead rock climbing,
Improvised rescue techniques for rock climbers, Learning to lead
scrambling course, Winter skills courses (2 days),
Winter climbing days.
To make a booking or find out more, please
contact
info@kendalmountaineeringservices.co.uk or phone 01539 737332 or
mobile 07761 483364. Additional information can be found at
www.kendalmountaineeringservices.co.uk where you can also see
what they’ve been up to on a Blog!
A walk up Gummer's How can be
found here.
Walks around the Ullswater area
here.
See things to do on our activities page!
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? Visiting
Mallorca?
Find us in the Yahoo!
Directory....
Find us in the Yahoo! Lake District travel directory
And our counterpart
travel and accommodation guide to London is also worth a look if
you're travelling there.
As is our Majorca travel
guide and our
Devon travel guide and Devon visitor guide - all recommended in the
Yahoo directory!
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.
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Walks
A collection of walks in the Lakes, taking you
o'er dale and hill.
Top Ten Attractions
What we think might be the most enjoyable, impressive or entertaining attractions in the Lakes!
Great Gifts for any
occasion!
Super gifts of quality and character.
Lake District Therapists New!
If you need a massage therapist, counsellor, psychotherapist, or any other
kind of complementary therapist, this is a listing of what the Lakes has
to offer.
Lake District Photography
Amazing photography that sums up the timeless beauty & essential
spirit of the English Lake District.
Lake District
Shopping
Lake District
What's On Guide
Lake District Internet Access
Lake District
Food, Drink & Recipes
Lake District Weddings
The Cumbria Directory
Travellers' guide to Cumbria and the Lake District, with helpful
listings of Lakes businesses and accommodation, together with all the
tourist attractions.
Property owners:
If you'd like us to feature your property in our accommodation,
restaurant or attractions listings, please email
rod@lake-district-guides.co.uk
Webmasters:
To promote your website on our Lakes information page
or our Lakes and other areas listings page please email
rod@lake-district-guides.co.uk We require a
reference back to us
from your website in return.
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Great prices on hotel rooms in the Lakes!
Check out the special low price offers at
Late Rooms.com
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