Discussion
Am planning on heading to the lakes for a few days and am thinking about rigging up a mount for my phone to catch some of the more dramatic parts. I've been up there before but just wandered randomly. Remember the roads being fantastic and grinning like a dog with two appendages most of the time but I don't remember where I went.
Does anyone have any suggestions for a few routes that I can have some fun on, and some that show off the scenery up there?
Does anyone have any suggestions for a few routes that I can have some fun on, and some that show off the scenery up there?
Penrith A592 to Ullswater - continue to Windermere
Turn right up the A591 past Grassmere to Keswick
Take the B5289 out of Keswick down the Borrowdale Valley past Derwent water, Buttermere, Crummock
Trun Right at Lorton back to Keswick.
Is my fav drive (I lived there for a few years until 2006) - nice place to stay by Crummock http://www.kirkstile.com
ETA (most of these taken on that route) http://www.stevecarter.com/cumbria/cumbria-main.ht...
Turn right up the A591 past Grassmere to Keswick
Take the B5289 out of Keswick down the Borrowdale Valley past Derwent water, Buttermere, Crummock
Trun Right at Lorton back to Keswick.
Is my fav drive (I lived there for a few years until 2006) - nice place to stay by Crummock http://www.kirkstile.com
ETA (most of these taken on that route) http://www.stevecarter.com/cumbria/cumbria-main.ht...
Edited by GetCarter on Monday 30th August 08:42
If you want to enjoy the roads themselves, I'd avoid The Lakes or be prepared to get up at 5am. This time of year you'll be lucky to average 30mph, there are virtually no places to overtake and it's not safe to make progress anyway due to walkers/cyclists/bad parking/general ignorance on behalf of the other people there.
I live nearby and drove along Ullswater on Friday with the intention of stopping for a walk somewhere. I promptly headed home (slowly) without bothering due to dawdlers with no concept of people trying to get from A to B.
You're better off heading into the Borders.
I live nearby and drove along Ullswater on Friday with the intention of stopping for a walk somewhere. I promptly headed home (slowly) without bothering due to dawdlers with no concept of people trying to get from A to B.
You're better off heading into the Borders.
Do this route:
No tourist traffic, in fact very little traffic at all for 75% of it, some of the best scenery and roads in the NW.
Or if you want the best of the Lakes, without the tourist traffic, this needs to be done at on a weekend though, there are just too many lorries on weekdays
I normally start my hoons at 7am or 7pm on this route.
The lakes is very busy at this time of year
No tourist traffic, in fact very little traffic at all for 75% of it, some of the best scenery and roads in the NW.
Or if you want the best of the Lakes, without the tourist traffic, this needs to be done at on a weekend though, there are just too many lorries on weekdays
I normally start my hoons at 7am or 7pm on this route.
The lakes is very busy at this time of year
Edited by Jazoli on Monday 30th August 10:39
Jazoli said:
Do this route:
No tourist traffic, in fact very little traffic at all for 75% of it, some of the best scenery and roads in the NW.
Or if you want the best of the Lakes, without the tourist traffic, this needs to be done at on a weekend though, there are just too many lorries on weekdays
I normally start my hoons at 7am or 7pm on this route.
The lakes is very busy at this time of year
+1No tourist traffic, in fact very little traffic at all for 75% of it, some of the best scenery and roads in the NW.
Or if you want the best of the Lakes, without the tourist traffic, this needs to be done at on a weekend though, there are just too many lorries on weekdays
I normally start my hoons at 7am or 7pm on this route.
The lakes is very busy at this time of year
Edited by Jazoli on Monday 30th August 10:39
In the first route, I'd avoid the Windermere to Penrith run, unless you're looking for the views. It is certainly not the kind of road you want to use for 'fun' at this time of year. Once you go beyond the summit of Kirkstone down to Ullswater you're going to be sat at 25-30mph all the way to Penrith.
The northern 'loop' of the route from Penrith to Alston to Middleton is the better bet.
On the second trip, the route from Keswick to Buttermere is similar to that between Kirkstone and Penrith- tourist traffic on a road too tight and dangerous (as in narrow and unsighted all the way) to enjoy unless you're there for the scenary.
The only interesting bit in the run down from Buttermere to Ulverstone is part of the A595, although this is also too tight for passing and will have HGV traffic in addition to the 30mph tourists. The A590 from Ulverstone to Kendal is a s
tty trunk road with no real decent features to it. In fact, the second route takes you right around the edges of the interesting parts of The Lakes without ever actually taking you through them.
If you're going on a 'drive', avoid The Lakes. The environment, roads and other users of the place make it entirely impractical and unsafe on so many levels. If you must use that area than as I said before, 5am is about the only time you can mitigate against the problems. If you're there to enjoy interesting roads and scenery at a sedate pace (as in, other people's 25mph pace), then the Lakes is a fine place to be.
Otherwise I'd head over the Northern Penines, along the A686 and related roads, where the traffic will be lighter, the roads in better condition (thought that's not saying much), the visibility and sighting much better and the views equally as good across the Eden Valley across to The Lakes and Solway. From there head north into the Borders.
Whatever you decide to do, take it steady and don't take risks.
For what it's worth, I've lived in and driven around Cumbria for the past 15 years.
The northern 'loop' of the route from Penrith to Alston to Middleton is the better bet.
On the second trip, the route from Keswick to Buttermere is similar to that between Kirkstone and Penrith- tourist traffic on a road too tight and dangerous (as in narrow and unsighted all the way) to enjoy unless you're there for the scenary.
The only interesting bit in the run down from Buttermere to Ulverstone is part of the A595, although this is also too tight for passing and will have HGV traffic in addition to the 30mph tourists. The A590 from Ulverstone to Kendal is a s
tty trunk road with no real decent features to it. In fact, the second route takes you right around the edges of the interesting parts of The Lakes without ever actually taking you through them.If you're going on a 'drive', avoid The Lakes. The environment, roads and other users of the place make it entirely impractical and unsafe on so many levels. If you must use that area than as I said before, 5am is about the only time you can mitigate against the problems. If you're there to enjoy interesting roads and scenery at a sedate pace (as in, other people's 25mph pace), then the Lakes is a fine place to be.
Otherwise I'd head over the Northern Penines, along the A686 and related roads, where the traffic will be lighter, the roads in better condition (thought that's not saying much), the visibility and sighting much better and the views equally as good across the Eden Valley across to The Lakes and Solway. From there head north into the Borders.
Whatever you decide to do, take it steady and don't take risks.
For what it's worth, I've lived in and driven around Cumbria for the past 15 years.
Thanks for the replies. I'd imagine that when I go up there (in a couple of weeks) they'll still be a fair bit of tourist traffic so if I have to put up with pootling and enjoying the views for most of the trip then spending the last day hitting the Pennines and Borders can be arranged.
Out of interest, I'll be staying on the southern coastal area - are there any coastal roads with checking out along there?
Out of interest, I'll be staying on the southern coastal area - are there any coastal roads with checking out along there?
tenohfive said:
Thanks for the replies. I'd imagine that when I go up there (in a couple of weeks) they'll still be a fair bit of tourist traffic so if I have to put up with pootling and enjoying the views for most of the trip then spending the last day hitting the Pennines and Borders can be arranged.
Out of interest, I'll be staying on the southern coastal area - are there any coastal roads with checking out along there?
Driving up the west coast is good, and not so touristy, most roads interconnect, there are very few that will take you no where, and the only downside can be single track lanes, basically the A595 is the coast road with a few b roads looping to the coastal towns.Out of interest, I'll be staying on the southern coastal area - are there any coastal roads with checking out along there?
Consider the A6 from Carnforth m6 j35 or from 36 North to Penrith, a good driving road. Avoid the A66 very heavy truck traffic, but the web of roads between the A6/M6 and the A66 include some really pretty villages, and some classic country driving.
If you are in the South you're only a few miles from the N Yorks dales as well
tenohfive said:
A bit of a long shot, but does anyone know of a restaurant that'll be good for a romantic meal within 30 minutes drive of Grainge Over Sands?
Morrels in Keswick did pretty good food & service in a kinda modern restaurant environment last time we were up there (a couple of years ago now though). Depends what your idea of romantic is though.On topic, ISTR a decent drive up the east side of Bassenthwaite with minimal traffic, but it was a few years ago, so age may have coloured my memory. If you've any excuse to go to Hexham/Corbridge/Newcastle, carrying on on the A686 past Acomb (on the first route posted by Jazoli) has always been a good drive for me, but I do live in London, so any NSL road with a bend or 3 is perhaps likely to get a favorable review.
Looking forward to getting up there. On the off chance anyone who posted googlemap links still has the route saved, any chance of sending me the URL? I can download the route to Google Nav then and I'll send me off in the right direction then.
(If not don't I'll go through it in a minute and plot the route in Google Maps myself, just trying to save myself a job.)
Cheers for the restaurant recommendation too, any others welcome.
(If not don't I'll go through it in a minute and plot the route in Google Maps myself, just trying to save myself a job.)
Cheers for the restaurant recommendation too, any others welcome.
Don't forget to take in Wrynose and Hardknott Passes. THe UK's Stelvio, plenty of hairpins and many of them on a 1:3 slope. Some very nice views and there's parking places to allow you to view the remains of the roman fort for which the original path was built.
When you've had enough of driving, check out the Ravenglass and Eskdate Railway (and a very good reason to justify going over Hardknott Pass)
When you've had enough of driving, check out the Ravenglass and Eskdate Railway (and a very good reason to justify going over Hardknott Pass)
Don't know where you are staying in Grange O Sands, and it's been a while since I lived around there, so Restaurant advice will be a bit dated.
Worth checking out the Netherwood Hotel in Grange itself, like a lot of them it's an old country house turned hotel.
Car wise it's a crazy place, be prepared to see lots of new BMW's Audi's and Toyota's IIRC driven slowly.
Three major dealers in this little place, all related although not now, IIRC to the Bateman name who if I recall local lore correctly was the German Chauffeur the Kaiser sent across to his mate the Yellow Earl of Lonsdale, ie Lowther Estate based up near penrith at the the abandoned Lowther Castle ( worth a look ) http://www.visitcumbria.com/pen/lowthcas.htm
Lonsdale he of the boxing belt, was a genuine eccentric, had it is said sufficient yellow Rolls Royce to circle the castle nose to tail. http://www.lowther.co.uk/index.php?option=com_cont...
The Kaiser sent him a Merc plus driver / Mechanic as a gift. The story goes Lordy asked the man 'is this silver?' referring to the shiny bits. The German replied that it was plated, Lordy told him to take it away because they didn't do plate only the solid stuff.
all the above as good as any story told over a pint or three.
Worth checking out the Netherwood Hotel in Grange itself, like a lot of them it's an old country house turned hotel.
Car wise it's a crazy place, be prepared to see lots of new BMW's Audi's and Toyota's IIRC driven slowly.
Three major dealers in this little place, all related although not now, IIRC to the Bateman name who if I recall local lore correctly was the German Chauffeur the Kaiser sent across to his mate the Yellow Earl of Lonsdale, ie Lowther Estate based up near penrith at the the abandoned Lowther Castle ( worth a look ) http://www.visitcumbria.com/pen/lowthcas.htm
Lonsdale he of the boxing belt, was a genuine eccentric, had it is said sufficient yellow Rolls Royce to circle the castle nose to tail. http://www.lowther.co.uk/index.php?option=com_cont...
The Kaiser sent him a Merc plus driver / Mechanic as a gift. The story goes Lordy asked the man 'is this silver?' referring to the shiny bits. The German replied that it was plated, Lordy told him to take it away because they didn't do plate only the solid stuff.
all the above as good as any story told over a pint or three.
Edited by rudecherub on Monday 6th September 10:34
tenohfive said:
I think I did Hardknott Pass last time (and loved it) so will definitely do that again, and will check out the railway when I'm up there.
I need to do that road again with a) fewer passengers b) a better car c) fewer other cars on the road.In particular one other car stands out: they were ahead of me and i could see them apparently attempting a 3 point turn on one of the steep section, on the uphill side to what would have been a blind crest. I managed to stop on a 'level' section well clear but had to reverse to a less level part when the car in front was forced backwards out of the idiots way. I then struggled when the car in front of me failed to hill start (stalling 3 times) as it turned out my handbrake wasn't quite good enough for the hill...After all that the driver doing the turn continued on the way they'd been going....no idea.
Other than that the views were awesome- only road I've done to rival it for out right spectacle was the Grand St Bernard.
Just got back and had a cracking time covering around 500 miles of the roads, most of which was just driving from A to B rather than driving for drivings sake. It seems that it's the end of the tourist season - still plenty of traffic but less than I'd expected. Heaviest for traffic seemed to be the A590 and the roads around Windermere - the former I couldn't avoid, the latter I drove down twice in 5 days. Not the most exciting car to take with me (diesel VW) but it was comfortable on the steep uphill stretches and I was generally able to make progress when traffic permitted.
Never did make it into the Pennines/Borders as we had a lot more planned than I expected but everything we were doing seemed to be at opposite ends of the Lakes, so I ended up covering almost all of the roads mentioned above (and a hell of a lot which deserve mention but which I can't remember.) The only ones I missed were the Hardknott Pass (which I've done before) and Wrynose Pass - truth be told I'd forgotten about it, which is a pity as I was down the road from there yesterday and could have done it on the way back.
A couple of worthy mentions:
Honister Pass. We went to do the Via Ferrata (climbing for dummies basically, really good fun) and got there early. It's on the Honister Pass so I decided to have a run to the bottom and back again and it was great fun. Had the road to myself at 2pm on a weekday surprisingly - most drivers tended to pull over to take in the views. Came in from Keswick direction and there were some nice fast roads up on the way in which was a bonus too with some stunning views to boot.
The A595 once past Hallthwaites turned into a really good road. Had a really satisfying overtake headed northbound after coming round a bend at the top of a hill to see a downhill S-bend with clear visibility (and a good view all across the road.) Don't think the second car I passed saw the overtake coming, woke him from his reverie I suspect. From then on there were some good opportunities and great views on both sides.
Kirkstone Pass - definately a must drive. Mentioned here and with good reason. First time I diverted down "The Struggle" (what red blooded male can resist a sign like that
) and on round two (ignoring The Struggle ) got a cheeky overtake in past a camper van, which surprised me - the roads in the Lakes tended to be tight and windy with no straights or long straights with no twisties from what I saw of them.
Thanks to everyone that posted, I had a great time and am looking forward to heading back up there. Not exactly a drivers paradise but being able to have some fun whilst getting from A to B in a beautiful part of the world was brilliant.
Never did make it into the Pennines/Borders as we had a lot more planned than I expected but everything we were doing seemed to be at opposite ends of the Lakes, so I ended up covering almost all of the roads mentioned above (and a hell of a lot which deserve mention but which I can't remember.) The only ones I missed were the Hardknott Pass (which I've done before) and Wrynose Pass - truth be told I'd forgotten about it, which is a pity as I was down the road from there yesterday and could have done it on the way back.
A couple of worthy mentions:
Honister Pass. We went to do the Via Ferrata (climbing for dummies basically, really good fun) and got there early. It's on the Honister Pass so I decided to have a run to the bottom and back again and it was great fun. Had the road to myself at 2pm on a weekday surprisingly - most drivers tended to pull over to take in the views. Came in from Keswick direction and there were some nice fast roads up on the way in which was a bonus too with some stunning views to boot.
The A595 once past Hallthwaites turned into a really good road. Had a really satisfying overtake headed northbound after coming round a bend at the top of a hill to see a downhill S-bend with clear visibility (and a good view all across the road.) Don't think the second car I passed saw the overtake coming, woke him from his reverie I suspect. From then on there were some good opportunities and great views on both sides.
Kirkstone Pass - definately a must drive. Mentioned here and with good reason. First time I diverted down "The Struggle" (what red blooded male can resist a sign like that
) and on round two (ignoring The Struggle ) got a cheeky overtake in past a camper van, which surprised me - the roads in the Lakes tended to be tight and windy with no straights or long straights with no twisties from what I saw of them.Thanks to everyone that posted, I had a great time and am looking forward to heading back up there. Not exactly a drivers paradise but being able to have some fun whilst getting from A to B in a beautiful part of the world was brilliant.
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