The lake district
Discussion
To cloudy where I am, but went out for a small walk up to Orest Head. If you are in Windermere nice little with great views. I work here and staying over this evening as can’t be bothered driving home.
Love living up here some great walks and climbs.
|https://thumbsnap.com/Ry7YEKoh[/url]
Love living up here some great walks and climbs.
|https://thumbsnap.com/Ry7YEKoh[/url]Edited by VTECMatt on Thursday 12th August 22:41
Kenty said:
We are going to Coniston Coppice park for a week on Sunday (15th), are the surrounding roads compleyely bunged with traffic or is it possible to get around ?
Have found quite a few pubs/restaurants don't take food bookings as so many people just don't show up, its turn up and wait
for a table..
Just got back home after our week in Coniston. This is our experience:-Have found quite a few pubs/restaurants don't take food bookings as so many people just don't show up, its turn up and wait
for a table..
Good - scenery great and plenty to do around Coniston, good access for a day out to the coastal towns of Cumbria
and the Hardnott and wrynose passes.
Coniston is a lovely village with little traffic and all amenities. The caravan club site at the Coppice is exceptional.
The cafes for breakfast and cakes were very nice and food great.
Bad. Everywhere you go in the evening all the vendors don't want you, they want your money. The attitude of a lot, not all, pub staff
is one of indifference and filling tables as many times they can, serving crap and chips. One pizzeria stopped serving pizza
and that left Burger/fish/scampi with chips, to choose from.
Only two places we found would take a booking which left long queues at the weekends.
Prices for this poor food is London prices and then its chucked on a plate with cutlery wrapped in your paper napkin.
Almost impossible to get into larger towns and park after 11am.
Car park charges, especially national trust are £5 plus for 2 hours.
The roads are narrow and locals drive far too fast - at least 4 or 5 close ones and one where my nearside wheel was damaged,
getting out the way of one entitled local - better a wheel than the wing i suppose!
Although we enjoyed our week, walking and a little exploring with the car, we felt a bit restricted with what we could do.
A lesson learnt - go out of peak times
Kenty said:
Just got back home after our week in Coniston. This is our experience:-
Good - scenery great and plenty to do around Coniston, good access for a day out to the coastal towns of Cumbria
and the Hardnott and wrynose passes.
Coniston is a lovely village with little traffic and all amenities. The caravan club site at the Coppice is exceptional.
The cafes for breakfast and cakes were very nice and food great.
Bad. Everywhere you go in the evening all the vendors don't want you, they want your money. The attitude of a lot, not all, pub staff
is one of indifference and filling tables as many times they can, serving crap and chips. One pizzeria stopped serving pizza
and that left Burger/fish/scampi with chips, to choose from.
Only two places we found would take a booking which left long queues at the weekends.
Prices for this poor food is London prices and then its chucked on a plate with cutlery wrapped in your paper napkin.
Almost impossible to get into larger towns and park after 11am.
Car park charges, especially national trust are £5 plus for 2 hours.
The roads are narrow and locals drive far too fast - at least 4 or 5 close ones and one where my nearside wheel was damaged,
getting out the way of one entitled local - better a wheel than the wing i suppose!
Although we enjoyed our week, walking and a little exploring with the car, we felt a bit restricted with what we could do.
A lesson learnt - go out of peak times
It is a shame, but its popularity effectively makes the Lakes a no go area for us in school holidays. The advantage of living on the doorstep is we don't have to put up with the traffic and the people yet can be in the south lakes in 20 minutes.Good - scenery great and plenty to do around Coniston, good access for a day out to the coastal towns of Cumbria
and the Hardnott and wrynose passes.
Coniston is a lovely village with little traffic and all amenities. The caravan club site at the Coppice is exceptional.
The cafes for breakfast and cakes were very nice and food great.
Bad. Everywhere you go in the evening all the vendors don't want you, they want your money. The attitude of a lot, not all, pub staff
is one of indifference and filling tables as many times they can, serving crap and chips. One pizzeria stopped serving pizza
and that left Burger/fish/scampi with chips, to choose from.
Only two places we found would take a booking which left long queues at the weekends.
Prices for this poor food is London prices and then its chucked on a plate with cutlery wrapped in your paper napkin.
Almost impossible to get into larger towns and park after 11am.
Car park charges, especially national trust are £5 plus for 2 hours.
The roads are narrow and locals drive far too fast - at least 4 or 5 close ones and one where my nearside wheel was damaged,
getting out the way of one entitled local - better a wheel than the wing i suppose!
Although we enjoyed our week, walking and a little exploring with the car, we felt a bit restricted with what we could do.
A lesson learnt - go out of peak times
Autumn in the lakes is fantastic, love just to have a drive through the Lyth valley.
But don't tell anyone
Gary C said:
Kenty said:
Just got back home after our week in Coniston. This is our experience:-
Good - scenery great and plenty to do around Coniston, good access for a day out to the coastal towns of Cumbria
and the Hardnott and wrynose passes.
Coniston is a lovely village with little traffic and all amenities. The caravan club site at the Coppice is exceptional.
The cafes for breakfast and cakes were very nice and food great.
Bad. Everywhere you go in the evening all the vendors don't want you, they want your money. The attitude of a lot, not all, pub staff
is one of indifference and filling tables as many times they can, serving crap and chips. One pizzeria stopped serving pizza
and that left Burger/fish/scampi with chips, to choose from.
Only two places we found would take a booking which left long queues at the weekends.
Prices for this poor food is London prices and then its chucked on a plate with cutlery wrapped in your paper napkin.
Almost impossible to get into larger towns and park after 11am.
Car park charges, especially national trust are £5 plus for 2 hours.
The roads are narrow and locals drive far too fast - at least 4 or 5 close ones and one where my nearside wheel was damaged,
getting out the way of one entitled local - better a wheel than the wing i suppose!
Although we enjoyed our week, walking and a little exploring with the car, we felt a bit restricted with what we could do.
A lesson learnt - go out of peak times
It is a shame, but its popularity effectively makes the Lakes a no go area for us in school holidays. The advantage of living on the doorstep is we don't have to put up with the traffic and the people yet can be in the south lakes in 20 minutes.Good - scenery great and plenty to do around Coniston, good access for a day out to the coastal towns of Cumbria
and the Hardnott and wrynose passes.
Coniston is a lovely village with little traffic and all amenities. The caravan club site at the Coppice is exceptional.
The cafes for breakfast and cakes were very nice and food great.
Bad. Everywhere you go in the evening all the vendors don't want you, they want your money. The attitude of a lot, not all, pub staff
is one of indifference and filling tables as many times they can, serving crap and chips. One pizzeria stopped serving pizza
and that left Burger/fish/scampi with chips, to choose from.
Only two places we found would take a booking which left long queues at the weekends.
Prices for this poor food is London prices and then its chucked on a plate with cutlery wrapped in your paper napkin.
Almost impossible to get into larger towns and park after 11am.
Car park charges, especially national trust are £5 plus for 2 hours.
The roads are narrow and locals drive far too fast - at least 4 or 5 close ones and one where my nearside wheel was damaged,
getting out the way of one entitled local - better a wheel than the wing i suppose!
Although we enjoyed our week, walking and a little exploring with the car, we felt a bit restricted with what we could do.
A lesson learnt - go out of peak times
Autumn in the lakes is fantastic, love just to have a drive through the Lyth valley.
But don't tell anyone
The little corner I call home Ennerdale is still quiet but there's a lack of infrastructure most holiday makers like to have.
After having a whole bay to myself and my paddleboard whilst in Skye, I'm now down in Pooley Bridge for a couple of days on the way back to London.
F me it's effing rammed! not the Lake District I remember from last Sept.
Still it's a Sunday and school hols. I love this area but I'm sure missing the emptiness of Skye.
Saying that it is now evening and the crowds have gone and I'm the only one in the bar.
F me it's effing rammed! not the Lake District I remember from last Sept.
Still it's a Sunday and school hols. I love this area but I'm sure missing the emptiness of Skye.
Saying that it is now evening and the crowds have gone and I'm the only one in the bar.
a311 said:
I remember as a kid (80's) Windermere/Ambleside was always popular with day trippers and tourists but the rest was fairly quiet minus walkers even at the height of summer. Now pretty much all the lakes is mobbed at the height of summer, throwing lockdowns and barriers to travelling abroad has no doubt made it work.
The little corner I call home Ennerdale is still quiet but there's a lack of infrastructure most holiday makers like to have.
Love Ennerdale The little corner I call home Ennerdale is still quiet but there's a lack of infrastructure most holiday makers like to have.
and your right, there are still plenty of places to go in the Lakes at the height but I still love Autumn in the lakes.
The wife though gets to drive all over the lakes most weeks for her work, best office in the world
croyde said:
After having a whole bay to myself and my paddleboard whilst in Skye, I'm now down in Pooley Bridge for a couple of days on the way back to London.
F me it's effing rammed! not the Lake District I remember from last Sept.
Still it's a Sunday and school hols. I love this area but I'm sure missing the emptiness of Skye.
Saying that it is now evening and the crowds have gone and I'm the only one in the bar.
If you were in Skye recently, and you felt it empty, this surprising!F me it's effing rammed! not the Lake District I remember from last Sept.
Still it's a Sunday and school hols. I love this area but I'm sure missing the emptiness of Skye.
Saying that it is now evening and the crowds have gone and I'm the only one in the bar.
TheJimi said:
croyde said:
After having a whole bay to myself and my paddleboard whilst in Skye, I'm now down in Pooley Bridge for a couple of days on the way back to London.
F me it's effing rammed! not the Lake District I remember from last Sept.
Still it's a Sunday and school hols. I love this area but I'm sure missing the emptiness of Skye.
Saying that it is now evening and the crowds have gone and I'm the only one in the bar.
If you were in Skye recently, and you felt it empty, this surprising!F me it's effing rammed! not the Lake District I remember from last Sept.
Still it's a Sunday and school hols. I love this area but I'm sure missing the emptiness of Skye.
Saying that it is now evening and the crowds have gone and I'm the only one in the bar.
We were in a little cottage on the north of the Sleat Peninsula. A 6 mile single track lane off the main road out of Armadale. Quite often we didn't see another car.
On the bay there'd usually be a couple of camper vans and tents on the far side and that was it.
It did mean that in order to see the sights you'd have a 40 odd mile drive and places like the Fairy Ponds and Old Man of Storr had a busy carpark and a bit of a crowd traipsing up the trail.
We had an Indian meal in Portree and on the 40 mile drive back we didn't come across another car on our side of the road, nor one coming up behind me.
Only hold up were 2 cows within a couple of miles from where we were staying.
It was busy in the Indian. Good job we booked.
Going for a lads weekend 17-19th September, last minute but managed to get into my cousins place 2 minute walk from the centre of Windermere. She's normally booked up but blocked out 3 weeks in September for family to use.
Going to book some places for food Friday and Saturday evening.
This trip is to spend time with one of my oldest mates who has unfortunately been diagnosed with terminal liver cancer.
He's been given 4-6 months but the last 2 months will not be pleasant hence the last minute trip while he's still 'healthy' enough to walk for a few hours.
There will be 3 of us (we've been going away once a year for the last 15 years) who have known each other for over 40 years (the other mate I've known for 51 years !) and we're going to make it as enjoyable as possible for him frequenting his favourite places, drinking his favourite beer and eating good food.
We normally climb one of the big hills such as Old Man or Helvellyn but not this time so will probably do a low level walk down the Langdales and a beer in the Old Dungeon Ghyll.
Hopefully the weather will be kind and some great memories will be made of our last lads weekend.
Going to book some places for food Friday and Saturday evening.
This trip is to spend time with one of my oldest mates who has unfortunately been diagnosed with terminal liver cancer.
He's been given 4-6 months but the last 2 months will not be pleasant hence the last minute trip while he's still 'healthy' enough to walk for a few hours.
There will be 3 of us (we've been going away once a year for the last 15 years) who have known each other for over 40 years (the other mate I've known for 51 years !) and we're going to make it as enjoyable as possible for him frequenting his favourite places, drinking his favourite beer and eating good food.
We normally climb one of the big hills such as Old Man or Helvellyn but not this time so will probably do a low level walk down the Langdales and a beer in the Old Dungeon Ghyll.
Hopefully the weather will be kind and some great memories will be made of our last lads weekend.
Just back from an excellent week of camping up at the Camping & Caravan Club site at Windermere.
That's a bit of a stretch calling it Windermere - it's 8 miles east of Windermere, actually much closer to Kendal, but ho hum, I guess the 'W' word puts bums on seats, so to speak. We soon found some alternative routes to the very heavy A591 to get around, so it wasn't too much of a problem as caravanners witha car, but I imagine if you rocked up here in a Motorhome without checking distances and expected to access Windermere you'd be in for a surprise.
We enjoyed a walks around Elterwater, Grasemere (a highlight), Buttemere and Crummock Water, a fantastic cycle along the west shore of Windermere from the ferry to Wray Castle (no toilets at the moment, for anyone visiting), another great ride from Windermere to Hawkshead and back via Beatrix Potter's house, our 6yo was fascinated that it was Peter Rabbit's house.
Generally we found that the places we went to weren't too rammed, certainly a little bit less busy than we expected. Our local-ish pub was the fabulous Eagle And Child at Stavely, we dropped in there several times, eating the once, really nice beer garden on the river and great food, although like many places they were doing first-come, first-served on food and stopped taking orders when busy. All in all I think most businesses in the Lakes are coping admirably with a massive influx of domestic tourists under conditions where many of them are really struggling with getting staff for various reasons, lots of job vacancies advertised.
Also stocked up on beers at Hawkshead Brewery round the corner, am home now in Berkshire and can't wait for another visit.
That's a bit of a stretch calling it Windermere - it's 8 miles east of Windermere, actually much closer to Kendal, but ho hum, I guess the 'W' word puts bums on seats, so to speak. We soon found some alternative routes to the very heavy A591 to get around, so it wasn't too much of a problem as caravanners witha car, but I imagine if you rocked up here in a Motorhome without checking distances and expected to access Windermere you'd be in for a surprise.
We enjoyed a walks around Elterwater, Grasemere (a highlight), Buttemere and Crummock Water, a fantastic cycle along the west shore of Windermere from the ferry to Wray Castle (no toilets at the moment, for anyone visiting), another great ride from Windermere to Hawkshead and back via Beatrix Potter's house, our 6yo was fascinated that it was Peter Rabbit's house.
Generally we found that the places we went to weren't too rammed, certainly a little bit less busy than we expected. Our local-ish pub was the fabulous Eagle And Child at Stavely, we dropped in there several times, eating the once, really nice beer garden on the river and great food, although like many places they were doing first-come, first-served on food and stopped taking orders when busy. All in all I think most businesses in the Lakes are coping admirably with a massive influx of domestic tourists under conditions where many of them are really struggling with getting staff for various reasons, lots of job vacancies advertised.
Also stocked up on beers at Hawkshead Brewery round the corner, am home now in Berkshire and can't wait for another visit.
vladcjelli said:
Lotobear said:
All of the obvious places already mentioned, however there are some fantastic lowland areas too.
I love Little Langdale and the old slate workings around there - Tilberthwaite and the spectacular Hodge Close are both fascinating and beautiful.
I hesitate to mention it but Duddon Valley and Eskdale and the best parts of the Lakes, not least because very few folk are aware of them.
Pretty much grew up at Hodge Close, really special place to spend time.I love Little Langdale and the old slate workings around there - Tilberthwaite and the spectacular Hodge Close are both fascinating and beautiful.
I hesitate to mention it but Duddon Valley and Eskdale and the best parts of the Lakes, not least because very few folk are aware of them.
Gary C said:
vladcjelli said:
Lotobear said:
All of the obvious places already mentioned, however there are some fantastic lowland areas too.
I love Little Langdale and the old slate workings around there - Tilberthwaite and the spectacular Hodge Close are both fascinating and beautiful.
I hesitate to mention it but Duddon Valley and Eskdale and the best parts of the Lakes, not least because very few folk are aware of them.
Pretty much grew up at Hodge Close, really special place to spend time.I love Little Langdale and the old slate workings around there - Tilberthwaite and the spectacular Hodge Close are both fascinating and beautiful.
I hesitate to mention it but Duddon Valley and Eskdale and the best parts of the Lakes, not least because very few folk are aware of them.
GreatGranny said:
Going for a lads weekend 17-19th September, last minute but managed to get into my cousins place 2 minute walk from the centre of Windermere. She's normally booked up but blocked out 3 weeks in September for family to use.
Going to book some places for food Friday and Saturday evening.
This trip is to spend time with one of my oldest mates who has unfortunately been diagnosed with terminal liver cancer.
He's been given 4-6 months but the last 2 months will not be pleasant hence the last minute trip while he's still 'healthy' enough to walk for a few hours.
There will be 3 of us (we've been going away once a year for the last 15 years) who have known each other for over 40 years (the other mate I've known for 51 years !) and we're going to make it as enjoyable as possible for him frequenting his favourite places, drinking his favourite beer and eating good food.
We normally climb one of the big hills such as Old Man or Helvellyn but not this time so will probably do a low level walk down the Langdales and a beer in the Old Dungeon Ghyll.
Hopefully the weather will be kind and some great memories will be made of our last lads weekend.
Ahhh man, that's a tough post to read. Sorry to hear about your friend but great that he can get away for what sounds like will be a fantastic weekend. Hope you all make the very most of it and forge some great, lasting memories. Going to book some places for food Friday and Saturday evening.
This trip is to spend time with one of my oldest mates who has unfortunately been diagnosed with terminal liver cancer.
He's been given 4-6 months but the last 2 months will not be pleasant hence the last minute trip while he's still 'healthy' enough to walk for a few hours.
There will be 3 of us (we've been going away once a year for the last 15 years) who have known each other for over 40 years (the other mate I've known for 51 years !) and we're going to make it as enjoyable as possible for him frequenting his favourite places, drinking his favourite beer and eating good food.
We normally climb one of the big hills such as Old Man or Helvellyn but not this time so will probably do a low level walk down the Langdales and a beer in the Old Dungeon Ghyll.
Hopefully the weather will be kind and some great memories will be made of our last lads weekend.
Bit of a thread resurrection as we've just returned from a few days in Langdale.
As ever, great scenery, a few nice wanders, visited the Lakeland Motor Museum which is enjoyable.
But, in the pubs that we tried prices have gone bonkers for food. I would estimate 50% increase, when a standard pub main course (burgers, sausage and mash, fish and chips etc) is now £20 it takes a bit of a shine off having a quick bite out. Maybe I'm just being a tight Yorkshireman!
As ever, great scenery, a few nice wanders, visited the Lakeland Motor Museum which is enjoyable.
But, in the pubs that we tried prices have gone bonkers for food. I would estimate 50% increase, when a standard pub main course (burgers, sausage and mash, fish and chips etc) is now £20 it takes a bit of a shine off having a quick bite out. Maybe I'm just being a tight Yorkshireman!
They rely on tourists though. You shut the lakes down for 12 months and pretty much no one lives there. A few locals but that’s a lot of lost revenue.
I’d not be over the moon, but if it’s helping them get back on their feet I’d pay. I’d expect them to come back down though, which I don’t imagine happening!
I’d not be over the moon, but if it’s helping them get back on their feet I’d pay. I’d expect them to come back down though, which I don’t imagine happening!
We're coming to the end of a week here and it's not the prices so much as the service that's terrible. In their defence they've lost staff and had a very quiet couple of years, plus this is the first busy week since last summer but we haven't had a meal out where the service has been acceptable. 
illmonkey said:
They rely on tourists though. You shut the lakes down for 12 months and pretty much no one lives there. A few locals but that’s a lot of lost revenue.
I’d not be over the moon, but if it’s helping them get back on their feet I’d pay. I’d expect them to come back down though, which I don’t imagine happening!
I get that they rely on tourists, but the same can be said of the Yorkshire Dales (which is on my doorstep). Prices at one of my favourite places are 75% of those I saw. Fair enough they've had it bad in the Lakes but the level of increase on a pub meal seemed excessive.I’d not be over the moon, but if it’s helping them get back on their feet I’d pay. I’d expect them to come back down though, which I don’t imagine happening!
I've just taken a quick look at another favourite Lakes pub (Queens Head at Troutbeck) and their prices are comparable to the Dales, so maybe it's a Langdale thing?
I should add that the places were packed so doubt my harrumphing is going to make a blind bit of difference.
We’ve just returned from a week in Northumberland, it’s now the same up there, upwards of £16 for burger and chips in a pub.
On the last night we went to the only pub in the village for tea, we waited over 30 minutes for our drinks to land after we ordered. The place was full and the staff seemed inexperienced, start of the season I suppose. The food was good but pricey. All the pubs and restaurants were advertising for staff.
On the last night we went to the only pub in the village for tea, we waited over 30 minutes for our drinks to land after we ordered. The place was full and the staff seemed inexperienced, start of the season I suppose. The food was good but pricey. All the pubs and restaurants were advertising for staff.
I don't think it's unique to the Lakes, we stayed in York recently, nice hotel let down by inexperienced and poorly trained staff.
Last year in Grasmere though the contrast between the English staff and the Eastern Europeans was embarrassing. THe Polish lad was buzzing, taking 4 or 5 orders without notes, quick service, friendly, just motivated, while the other staff, well, it was clear that they just weren't suited to it and were only there because there was no alternative, for them or the employer.
Last year in Grasmere though the contrast between the English staff and the Eastern Europeans was embarrassing. THe Polish lad was buzzing, taking 4 or 5 orders without notes, quick service, friendly, just motivated, while the other staff, well, it was clear that they just weren't suited to it and were only there because there was no alternative, for them or the employer.
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