Discussion
I lived there for a few years... get out VERY early on a Sunday and head north
Honister and Whinlatter passes are both great fun.
http://www.stevecarter.com/Whinlatter_RS6.wmv
Honister and Whinlatter passes are both great fun.
http://www.stevecarter.com/Whinlatter_RS6.wmv
JQ said:
I would'nt get excited, during school holidays you won't go further than 100m before getting behind someone doing 20mph.
Where exactly are you staying?
We'll be based near Penrith. I'm not expecting high speed runs, just really good scenery, something different, maybe where all the masses don't go. I appreciate Lake District is much smaller than the Highlands, but still hopeful.Where exactly are you staying?
cailean said:
We'll be based near Penrith. I'm not expecting high speed runs, just really good scenery, something different, maybe where all the masses don't go. I appreciate Lake District is much smaller than the Highlands, but still hopeful.
You're in the right bit then. Travel towards Keswick, and head down the Borrowdale valley, over the Honister pass to Buttermere - then stop for lunch at the Kirkstile Inn near Loweswater.
Oh you lucky chap. IMHO opinion an epic itinerary would be:
1. Exit @ Junction 36 on M6
2. A590 to Sizegh (dual carriageway)
3. Left at roundabout A590 to Newbury Bridge (combo of single and dual carriageway)
4. Right at Greenodd onto A5092 (awesome views of South Lake fell)s.
5. A592 then leads into A595 at Grizebeck
6. Follow A595 all the way around bottom of Lakes (lots of sea views and lake fells)
7. Stop off at Millstone Cafe on A595 (http://www.millstonesbootle.co.uk/).
8. Back onto A595 up through Muncaster (look right and you will see Scafell and other Wast Water fells).
9. Right at Egremont onto A5086 past Frizington.
10. Right onto A66 just below Cockermouth.
11. A66 past Bassenthwaite Lake.
12. Then either A591 back through the centre of the Lakes (more amazing scenery) to Kendal and back onto the M6 (17 miles - 25 minutes to M6) or stay on A66 to Junction 40 M6 (35 miles - 1hr to M6).
The route includes at least two petrol stations that have unleaded 97 and some decent cafes with above average food and flat parking. A lot of the route is on a video a created last year http://youtu.be/NvJEQdkEv8g?hd=1.
1. Exit @ Junction 36 on M6
2. A590 to Sizegh (dual carriageway)
3. Left at roundabout A590 to Newbury Bridge (combo of single and dual carriageway)
4. Right at Greenodd onto A5092 (awesome views of South Lake fell)s.
5. A592 then leads into A595 at Grizebeck
6. Follow A595 all the way around bottom of Lakes (lots of sea views and lake fells)
7. Stop off at Millstone Cafe on A595 (http://www.millstonesbootle.co.uk/).
8. Back onto A595 up through Muncaster (look right and you will see Scafell and other Wast Water fells).
9. Right at Egremont onto A5086 past Frizington.
10. Right onto A66 just below Cockermouth.
11. A66 past Bassenthwaite Lake.
12. Then either A591 back through the centre of the Lakes (more amazing scenery) to Kendal and back onto the M6 (17 miles - 25 minutes to M6) or stay on A66 to Junction 40 M6 (35 miles - 1hr to M6).
The route includes at least two petrol stations that have unleaded 97 and some decent cafes with above average food and flat parking. A lot of the route is on a video a created last year http://youtu.be/NvJEQdkEv8g?hd=1.
Edited by redback911 on Sunday 5th February 16:43
I'm with GetCarter on this one. Depends on what you want out of the drive but any time after 9am will be very frustrating, IMHO the route above although scenic misses the best views and will be quite painful if you want to make progress.
The passes are the highlights. Honister, Whinlatter, Wrynose, Hardknott, Kirkstone. The Birker Fell road and the Broughton to Coniston road are good fun in the southern Lakes.
The passes are the highlights. Honister, Whinlatter, Wrynose, Hardknott, Kirkstone. The Birker Fell road and the Broughton to Coniston road are good fun in the southern Lakes.
moribund said:
I'm with GetCarter on this one. Depends on what you want out of the drive but any time after 9am will be very frustrating, IMHO the route above although scenic misses the best views and will be quite painful if you want to make progress.
The passes are the highlights. Honister, Whinlatter, Wrynose, Hardknott, Kirkstone. The Birker Fell road and the Broughton to Coniston road are good fun in the southern Lakes.
Ah, I would agree the passes are highlights but most are closed this time of year and I would avoid them until unless you have four-wheel drive and/or winter tyres. Not so much a snow issue but freezing temperatures, due to all the water running off the fells and across the roads:The passes are the highlights. Honister, Whinlatter, Wrynose, Hardknott, Kirkstone. The Birker Fell road and the Broughton to Coniston road are good fun in the southern Lakes.
Also quite a few overtaking opportunities on the route above including dual carriageways and passing lanes. I guess it depends what you drive but I never had any problems. Major issues are the routes in and out of the major towns like Keswick, Ambleside and Windermere.
Edited by redback911 on Sunday 5th February 18:31
Thanks for the replies. I will be in a Legacy so AWD but will have our 2 little ones with us so don't really want to be testing out the AWD on ice on the edge of a pass. Is there any websites that would list the passes that are closed/dangerous?
I will be in Center Parcs this weekend and our driving/exploring days will be Monday/Tuesday next week, so I guess I need to monitor the weather then.
Ta
I will be in Center Parcs this weekend and our driving/exploring days will be Monday/Tuesday next week, so I guess I need to monitor the weather then.
Ta
http://www.lakelandcam.co.uk/ is updated with pics everyday which is very useful in Winter. Not having kids, I hadn't realised half term meant next week - very snowy up there at present.
M5 Russ said:
I am currently in Appleby in Westmorland which is near Penrith. I would love to drive the Hartside Pass but is passable this time of year ? Just want the views rather than a fast drive in the M5.
Yep, should be fine, a snow blower lives at each end and it's very heavily gritted. Make sure you go up on a clear day though.(I'm only about 10 miles from you)
I know Alston has some tea rooms and cafes, but I've never been in them. At the bottom of Hartside Pass is Melmerby, the Village Bakery there has a cafe, which judging by their usual produce, should be fairly good, although perhaps pricey http://www.village-bakery.com/index.php?option=com...
PS Beware of speed cameras along the A686 from Penrith to Melmerby, dangerous road hence militant mobile speed cameras
PS Beware of speed cameras along the A686 from Penrith to Melmerby, dangerous road hence militant mobile speed cameras
Redback911 has it nearly right, except that I'd not bother turning right onto the A66 at Cockermouth, I'd carry on up the A595 to Bothel and do the whole length of the A591 down towards Keswick and Ambleside, the Bothel to Keswick part is usually very lightly-trafficked and has had a lot of resurfacing work done lately so you can press on without the potholes shaking the car to pieces. I had great fun burning about a third of a tank of fuel along there and back last weekend!
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