Visiting the Lake District

[Rich_AR]

Looking for some recommendations where to go in the Lakes for a day (I'll be driving up from Harrogate)

So which are the most beautiful spots to visit or areas to spend time in. Little bit of easy walking (weather dependent!) and generally nice views etc (of course, most are nice, but those extra special ones)

I've been to Windermere and Kendal many a time, but want to find something more special.

Thanks

Edited by Rich_AR on Tuesday 10th July 14:28

[DoctorX]

Rich_AR said:

Looking for some recommendations on to go in the Lakes for a day (I'll be driving up from Harrogate)

So which are the most beautiful spots to visit or areas to spend time in. Little bit of easy walking (weather dependent!) and generally nice views etc (of course, most are nice, but those extra special ones)

I've been to Windermere and Kendal many a time, but want to find something more special.

Thanks

I'd head for Keswick, a boat trip across the lake and a stroll up Catbells. Stunning views.

[RedWhiteMonkey]

My biggest recommendation would be to take a good waterproof. The Lake District is stunning but it is normally wet even when we're having a great summer, it'll be very damp this summer.

[Cheib]

A great very easy walk is the walk around Lake Buttermere.....takes about two hours IIRC and is nice and easy. There used to be a pub you could park at but we're talking a long time ago now.....and the PH'er in you can make sure you drive there over Hard Knot and Wrynose passes on the way there or back.

[a311]

Rich_AR said:

Looking for some recommendations where to go in the Lakes for a day (I'll be driving up from Harrogate)

So which are the most beautiful spots to visit or areas to spend time in. Little bit of easy walking (weather dependent!) and generally nice views etc (of course, most are nice, but those extra special ones)

I've been to Windermere and Kendal many a time, but want to find something more special.

Thanks

Depends on what you class as easy and other interests OP. I live in the Lakes and as a base would recommend Keswick over the usual suspects of Windermere, Ambleside etc and would agree with the other post that the walk up Catbells and around Derwent water (Keswick) offers superb views relative to the effort required. You can also see allot in a day without leaving your car.

At this time of year Ennerdale is off the beaten track you can only access it by road from the west and has a wilderness feel to it (no large towns etc) so is never mobbed and you walk pretty much by the lakeside all the way round (about 5ish miles) or challenge yourself a little bit more by hiking up Crag Fell and/or Bowness Knot.

Appearently Bill Clinton proposed to his Mrs on the banks of Ennerdale.

Buttermere Valley is also nice driving or walking again more off the beaten track you can take in 3 lakes, Loweswater, Crummock, and Buttermere. Loweswater and Buttermere are small with quick and easy walks. Drivce over Honister Pass going over towards Keswick is rather nice and not as tricky as Hardknott.

[DoctorX]

DoctorX said:

I'd head for Keswick, a boat trip across the lake and a stroll up Catbells. Stunning views.

Here you go, the walk and the views....

http://www.walkingenglishman.com/lakes35.htm

[Rich_AR]

Thanks for the replies!

Easy i.e. not mountain climbing, more steady (say romantic?!) scroll kinda thing.

[Rich_AR]

a311 said:

Appearently Bill Clinton proposed to his Mrs on the banks of Ennerdale.

I'll not be mentioning that one to the misses then!

[10 Pence Short]

I live about 20 minutes from the Lakes. I'd have a look at Aira Force by the side of Ullswater. You'll find the character of the place there, with some of the best views up Ullswater towards Helvellyn. From there you could head to the top of Kirkstone Pass, then down into Ambleside. From there take the Coniston road, turning off about half way down to go over Wrynose and Hardknott passes (which are stunning), and down into Eskdale. If you fancy, there's a miniture steam railway there. At the end of Eskdale there's a T junction- turn right and go through the beautiful Ulpha valley, which will eventually take you (I think...) to the A595. Follow this to the A590 and head back towards jnc 36 of the M6, go straight over and across the A65 to Skipton and down the 59 to Harrogate.

That trip will show you the best of the Lake District and (weather permitting) views ranging from the Pennines, the Scottish hills, the West Coast, the Lakes themselves, Morcambe Bay and the Dales.

[Ranger 6]

Rich_AR said:

easy i.e. not mountain climbing, more steady (say romantic?!) stroll kinda thing.

Lunch in the Drunken Duck then a stroll round Tarn Hows - other sights/routes have been mentioned

[DWS]

Ranger 6 said:

Rich_AR said:

easy i.e. not mountain climbing, more steady (say romantic?!) stroll kinda thing.

Lunch in the Drunken Duck then a stroll round Tarn Hows - other sights/routes have been mentioned

The Drunken Duck! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Over hyped & overpriced. Far better pubs in Hawkshead a few miles down the road, then tarn Howes. Beware the National Trust Car park, it's expensive but the only place you can park at tarn howes.

Or, Stop at elterwater. beer in the Britania (it gets packed,but you can usually find a seat at the back of the pub near the bogs). then walk to Skelwith Bridge and back to elterwater. Not a hard walk by any standards but has a pub at both end

[Ranger 6]

DWS said:

The Drunken Duck! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Over hyped & overpriced.

I was going on old experience - downhill big style then?

[DWS]

Ranger 6 said:

I was going on old experience - downhill big style then?

Well I think so. Beer is only OK. Think the rest is just trading on a name.

[Ranger 6]

Shame - haven't been for a few years. They did work hard on building a good reputation when they opened, but in hindsight that was quite a while ago