48hrs in the Lake District, where to see?
Discussion
Avoid Windermere and everything around that end - boring touristy tat, flooded with people, shops and cars.
It's a bit of a trek getting there but Wast Water is pretty stunning - massive screes leading down into the deepest lake in England. Very impressive. And it's an excuse to do the the Hardknott and Wrynose Passes - beautiful and great fun to drive if you're not a nervous driver.
Buttermere and Crummock Water don't get so many tourists and it's a stunning area. The route in from Keswick is impressive in it's own right too.
Thirlmere is worth a coffee/sandwich stop - it's technically a reservoir but you could be forgiven for thinking you're in Canada. The RAF seem to do regular trips down there so you may find yourself getting buzzed by a Tornado or a Herc (seeing a Herc getting chucked about at low level is bloody impressive.) Again some lovely views up to Helvellyn and Ravens Crag.
The Great Langdale Valley is lovely - I've camped in it a couple of times and loved waking up to the view. If the weathers right sitting outside the Old Dungeon Ghyll bar having a pint of cider is well recommended.
For something a bit more hands on the Via Ferrata at Honister Slate Mine is good fun - scrambling along cliff edges on Fleetwith Pike whilst clipped onto a cable is surprisingly good fun, even in pissing rain.
I've not done any boat trips but Ullswater is probably the best place - it's a pretty dramatic place from shore level, so from on the water I'd imagine it'd be more so.
And if you do fancy a little leg stretch, Latrigg is I think the only one you can push a wheelchair up - which gives you an idea of how easy it is. It's just outside Keswick and gives respectable views over Derwent and towards some of the bigger hills nearby (Skiddaw etc.) I think it took about 15 minutes to get to the top - it's not a walkers peak, it's a gentle stroll by anyones standards.
It's a bit of a trek getting there but Wast Water is pretty stunning - massive screes leading down into the deepest lake in England. Very impressive. And it's an excuse to do the the Hardknott and Wrynose Passes - beautiful and great fun to drive if you're not a nervous driver.
Buttermere and Crummock Water don't get so many tourists and it's a stunning area. The route in from Keswick is impressive in it's own right too.
Thirlmere is worth a coffee/sandwich stop - it's technically a reservoir but you could be forgiven for thinking you're in Canada. The RAF seem to do regular trips down there so you may find yourself getting buzzed by a Tornado or a Herc (seeing a Herc getting chucked about at low level is bloody impressive.) Again some lovely views up to Helvellyn and Ravens Crag.
The Great Langdale Valley is lovely - I've camped in it a couple of times and loved waking up to the view. If the weathers right sitting outside the Old Dungeon Ghyll bar having a pint of cider is well recommended.
For something a bit more hands on the Via Ferrata at Honister Slate Mine is good fun - scrambling along cliff edges on Fleetwith Pike whilst clipped onto a cable is surprisingly good fun, even in pissing rain.
I've not done any boat trips but Ullswater is probably the best place - it's a pretty dramatic place from shore level, so from on the water I'd imagine it'd be more so.
And if you do fancy a little leg stretch, Latrigg is I think the only one you can push a wheelchair up - which gives you an idea of how easy it is. It's just outside Keswick and gives respectable views over Derwent and towards some of the bigger hills nearby (Skiddaw etc.) I think it took about 15 minutes to get to the top - it's not a walkers peak, it's a gentle stroll by anyones standards.
Edited by tenohfive on Saturday 16th March 13:36
If you fancy a break from the rain take a trip out to the Lakeland motor museum.
http://www.lakelandmotormuseum.co.uk
http://www.lakelandmotormuseum.co.uk
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