Seeing the sights around Windermere

Seeing the sights around Windermere

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Fastchas

Original Poster:

2,640 posts

120 months

Friday 23rd January 2015
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Missus and I are going to The Lakes next Friday for my birthday, staying for two nights in Ambleside. Can anyone recommend decent sights, journeys, short walks (knees not too good at the mo)with photo opportunities? Going to take her(oo-err) over the Hardknott/Wrynose and maybe around Coniston. Will also do Hodge Close quarry, that's always good to waste an hour or two.
Done lots on motorbikes up there but not much in a car.

RicksAlfas

13,355 posts

243 months

Friday 23rd January 2015
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Linthwaite House Hotel (near Bowness) for afternoon tea if you are feeling flush.
Orrest Head (top of Windermere town) for a walk if the weather is clear. About 3 miles round trip.
Chesters for breakfast (Skelwith Bridge just past Ambleside).
Langdale valley for photos.

Have a good time!

Risotto

3,926 posts

211 months

Friday 23rd January 2015
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The walk around Loughrigg Fell is fairly easy to follow and not too difficult terrain-wise. Nice food at The Samling too.

dugsud

1,125 posts

262 months

Tuesday 3rd February 2015
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We were up there last week and Wrynose & Hard Knot passes were closed.

billzeebub

3,862 posts

198 months

Wednesday 4th February 2015
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Ambleside a great choice of base for a trip to The Lakes. The spectacular Langdale valley is on your doorstep there and worth a drive out. In summer I usually stay at Great Langdale NT Campsite. Three cracking pubs (Old Dungeon Ghyll, New a Dungeon Ghyll& the Sticklebarn NT pub nextdoor) and a lot of good rambles. There is a fairly easy 4 mile circular walk of the Langdale Pikes that starts at the Carpark of the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel.

If in Coniston see the Ruskin Museum, with it's Donald Campbell section. Also down at the lake is Bluebird Cafe, the steam yacht Gondola does a Lake cruise (with commentary) from here which is very enjoyable on a nice day. The Drunken Duck to the North of Coniston is a good place for lunch. When heading to Windermere from Coniston I usually take the scenic Ferry route via B5285.

Grasmere also a lovely village, I always pick up some Grasmere Gingerbread from the famous old shop whilst there.


Edited by billzeebub on Wednesday 4th February 11:37

GreatGranny

9,097 posts

225 months

Wednesday 4th February 2015
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Visit the Black Bull Inn when in Coniston.
Not overpriced and protentious like some Lakes Pubs and food and beer very good.
Coniston Brewery is located behind it I htink.

Drive over to Buttermere as well.
Its quiet and views are lovely. You can walka round it in 2-3 hours.

Newby Bridge has plenty to see.
Steam Railway, Aquarium, Fell Foot Park, nice hotel for lunch and nice walks on th hills above meaning great views.

Drive the west side of Thirlmere.

Great Langdale definitely and visit the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel.

otolith

55,899 posts

203 months

Wednesday 4th February 2015
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Worth going on one of the Windermere lake cruises, I think - should be possible to do the aquarium at Lakeside at one end and wander round Ambleside at the other.

Head west if the crowds get too much.

toon10

6,140 posts

156 months

Wednesday 4th February 2015
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billzeebub said:
Grasmere also a lovely village, I always pick up some Grasmere Gingerbread from the famous old shop whilst there.
I once drove from Northumberland to Grasmere specifically to pick up some gingerbread from there. Oh and to give my new car at the time a good run out. The roads are great to drive over there although looking at the weather I'm not sure how accessible or safe some of those roads will be.

CrutyRammers

13,735 posts

197 months

Wednesday 4th February 2015
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Langdale, definately. It's The Scenic.

Fastchas

Original Poster:

2,640 posts

120 months

Wednesday 4th February 2015
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Thanks for the suggestions, fellas.

Came back Sunday. Did Aira Force, saw friends that own Maiden Marine on Windermere on Saturday and on Sunday after checking out the hotel we walked from Rydal Water up to and around Grasmere.
Weather was stunning, quite like a spring day. Had no issues with snow/ice at all.

toon10

6,140 posts

156 months

Wednesday 4th February 2015
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Fastchas said:
Thanks for the suggestions, fellas.

Came back Sunday. Did Aira Force, saw friends that own Maiden Marine on Windermere on Saturday and on Sunday after checking out the hotel we walked from Rydal Water up to and around Grasmere.
Weather was stunning, quite like a spring day. Had no issues with snow/ice at all.
Glad you had a good time. Rydal Water is a great picnic spot and Grasmere is lovely to stroll around.

Fastchas

Original Poster:

2,640 posts

120 months

Wednesday 4th February 2015
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Here's a view of Grasmere on Sunday.