The lake district
Discussion
yellowbentines said:
We had a great 4 days last week staying just outside of Ambleside (a 15 min walk up 'the Struggle' to be precise!), weather was very cloudy every day which meant a change of plans, but we still managed a walk every day inspired by this thread:
Day 1 - Catbells - up the front and down the back onto the bridleway, a very rewarding short yet steep walk with great views in every direction, though we did have to park around 1 mile away.
Day 2 - Ambleside to Troutbeck and back over Wansfell, looping anti-clockwise. Great views along the way over Ambleside, Windermere, Troutbeck and up towards Kirkstone, and a cracking fish n chips and pint of Sally Birkett in the Mortal Man Inn at Troutbeck.
Day 3 - Rydal Water loop from White Moss. An easy one this, so when we got back to White Moss we kept walking and did a loop of Grasmere - the high path above Grasmere at the far side providing some stunning views over the water and down the valley. Beers at Grasmere of course.
Day 4 - Took the challenge of Bowfell despite it being cloudy again, and knowing we'd see nothing at the summit! Decided to make it a loop, up the band and down over the back and descending via Angle Tarn and Rossett Pike. Awesome views down Langdale valley on the way up and down, soaked through at the top though. More beers afterwards, this time at Sticklebarn down in the valley.
Planning on returning again in the next few months to check out some of the other recommendations on this thread.
My family is from near the foot of Catbells and I can't remember the number of times I've been up (or dragged up in my childhood) it. Latterly I've learned to choose the right time to go up and it still fascinates.Day 1 - Catbells - up the front and down the back onto the bridleway, a very rewarding short yet steep walk with great views in every direction, though we did have to park around 1 mile away.
Day 2 - Ambleside to Troutbeck and back over Wansfell, looping anti-clockwise. Great views along the way over Ambleside, Windermere, Troutbeck and up towards Kirkstone, and a cracking fish n chips and pint of Sally Birkett in the Mortal Man Inn at Troutbeck.
Day 3 - Rydal Water loop from White Moss. An easy one this, so when we got back to White Moss we kept walking and did a loop of Grasmere - the high path above Grasmere at the far side providing some stunning views over the water and down the valley. Beers at Grasmere of course.
Day 4 - Took the challenge of Bowfell despite it being cloudy again, and knowing we'd see nothing at the summit! Decided to make it a loop, up the band and down over the back and descending via Angle Tarn and Rossett Pike. Awesome views down Langdale valley on the way up and down, soaked through at the top though. More beers afterwards, this time at Sticklebarn down in the valley.
Planning on returning again in the next few months to check out some of the other recommendations on this thread.
Of late I've usually managed a late, post-dinner walk up, generally with a head torch for the way down. When it's deserted and quiet it's one of the most beautiful places i know.
I now live in the Alps, surrounded by 3000m+ mountains and glaciers but the Lakes will always feel special and my children love them (though didn't understand why there are no chairlifts when they were young). Now the fells feel manageable and easy, and I love that you can climb without the guides, training or special equipment you need here. I personally love them in the rain when the clouds cling to the fellsides and roll over the edges. Even in August it's possible to escape the crowds if you know where.
My one wish though is that the authorities could do more about cars and integrating public transport. Here we get so used to take public transport everywhere and just expect to be able to come off a walk and jump on a bus or train and for it to be cheap, reliable and regular. It makes walks that aren't loops really accessible.
All things considered my favourite village in The Lakes is Coniston. There are several good pubs and a brewery in the village. The Old Man of Coniston is a must do Lakes walk. Coniston Water is a couple of minutes walk from the village centre and has the lovely Bluebird Cafe on its shores, as well as boat hire and bike hire. I usually stay at The Sun, but my favourite pub is The Black Bull. The Ruskin Museum is interesting and has an expansive Bluebird/Campbell exhibition. The whole village is still so evocative of the Campbell Water Speed records all these years later. DC is burried in the village. A Lake cruise on NT Gondola is a must do as well with a detailed local commentary. There is also Brantwood on the opposite shore of Coniston which is worth a visit as the long term home of John Ruskin. Coniston is best approached from the East over the Windermere ferry. Always makes me feel happy.
Other attractions within easy reach of Coniston for me are The Drunken Duck at Outgates, which has a spectacular restaurant and lovely views. Ambleside, the prettiest town for me in The Lakes is a short pretty drive away.
The Langdale valley, Great Langdale and Little Langdale are spectacular with lots of lovely pubs to crawl to after a day in the hills. The NT campsite there is a personal favourite too.
Other attractions within easy reach of Coniston for me are The Drunken Duck at Outgates, which has a spectacular restaurant and lovely views. Ambleside, the prettiest town for me in The Lakes is a short pretty drive away.
The Langdale valley, Great Langdale and Little Langdale are spectacular with lots of lovely pubs to crawl to after a day in the hills. The NT campsite there is a personal favourite too.
billzeebub said:
All things considered my favourite village in The Lakes is Coniston. There are several good pubs and a brewery in the village. The Old Man of Coniston is a must do Lakes walk. Coniston Water is a couple of minutes walk from the village centre and has the lovely Bluebird Cafe on its shores, as well as boat hire and bike hire. I usually stay at The Sun, but my favourite pub is The Black Bull. The Ruskin Museum is interesting and has an expansive Bluebird/Campbell exhibition. The whole village is still so evocative of the Campbell Water Speed records all these years later. DC is burried in the village. A Lake cruise on NT Gondola is a must do as well with a detailed local commentary. There is also Brantwood on the opposite shore of Coniston which is worth a visit as the long term home of John Ruskin. Coniston is best approached from the East over the Windermere ferry. Always makes me feel happy.
Other attractions within easy reach of Coniston for me are The Drunken Duck at Outgates, which has a spectacular restaurant and lovely views. Ambleside, the prettiest town for me in The Lakes is a short pretty drive away.
The Langdale valley, Great Langdale and Little Langdale are spectacular with lots of lovely pubs to crawl to after a day in the hills. The NT campsite there is a personal favourite too.
Thanks for the tips!
Other attractions within easy reach of Coniston for me are The Drunken Duck at Outgates, which has a spectacular restaurant and lovely views. Ambleside, the prettiest town for me in The Lakes is a short pretty drive away.
The Langdale valley, Great Langdale and Little Langdale are spectacular with lots of lovely pubs to crawl to after a day in the hills. The NT campsite there is a personal favourite too.
Thanks for the tips!
Just returned from a couple of nights away at Langdale. Very quiet compared to usual at this time of year.
Had a lovely meal at the Britannia at Elterwater - food, beer and service all very good. Most shops in Ambleside friendly too.
Also went to the posh cafe at Skelwith named after the main city in Cheshire and it unfortunately seems to have disappeared even further up its own arse than ever before, so that’s knocked off the list.
Had a lovely meal at the Britannia at Elterwater - food, beer and service all very good. Most shops in Ambleside friendly too.
Also went to the posh cafe at Skelwith named after the main city in Cheshire and it unfortunately seems to have disappeared even further up its own arse than ever before, so that’s knocked off the list.
soxboy said:
Just returned from a couple of nights away at Langdale. Very quiet compared to usual at this time of year.
Had a lovely meal at the Britannia at Elterwater - food, beer and service all very good. Most shops in Ambleside friendly too.
Also went to the posh cafe at Skelwith named after the main city in Cheshire and it unfortunately seems to have disappeared even further up its own arse than ever before, so that’s knocked off the list.
I’m jealous!Had a lovely meal at the Britannia at Elterwater - food, beer and service all very good. Most shops in Ambleside friendly too.
Also went to the posh cafe at Skelwith named after the main city in Cheshire and it unfortunately seems to have disappeared even further up its own arse than ever before, so that’s knocked off the list.
Back end of October we had a long weekend near Keswick. We go every year and rent this place https://www.rowlingend.co.uk/ in Newland Valley which is absolutely lovely. We usually stay here with my sister, but with the restrictions this wasn't possible, so we stayed in the nearby pub https://swinsideinn.co.uk/ where the views are amazing!
The first day we walked along the river into Braithwaite for a late lunch at http://coledale-inn.co.uk/ - I love this pub, it's got traditional charm and a faint hint of Fawlty Towers
Day two the weather was awful so we wandered along the lanes into Keswick and mooched around there.
Day three we relocated to Ambleside and stayed here http://www.theglenrothay.co.uk/ which again was lovely. Had a low level walk into Grasmere and a bite here https://www.tweediesgrasmere.com/
All in all more of a glorified pub crawl than any mental hiking, but it recharged the batteries - just what the doctor ordered!
The first day we walked along the river into Braithwaite for a late lunch at http://coledale-inn.co.uk/ - I love this pub, it's got traditional charm and a faint hint of Fawlty Towers
Day two the weather was awful so we wandered along the lanes into Keswick and mooched around there.
Day three we relocated to Ambleside and stayed here http://www.theglenrothay.co.uk/ which again was lovely. Had a low level walk into Grasmere and a bite here https://www.tweediesgrasmere.com/
All in all more of a glorified pub crawl than any mental hiking, but it recharged the batteries - just what the doctor ordered!
Rather than start a new thread I thought I'd add to this one.
Are the coastal areas of the Lake District worth visiting, and if so where? I appreciate some of them technically might lie outwith the actual National Park.
We are off down for 1 week, we've been a few times before and on this trip we have got the following planned, not necessarily in order:
- Boat trip from Glenridding to Pooley bridge, walk back along South side of Ullswater
- Hike from Glenridding - Catstycam - Hellvellyn - Dollywagon Pike - Glenridding loop
- Hike from Gatesgarth Farm up Haystacks
- Hike from Seathwaite up Green Gable and Great Gable
- Walk from Ambleside to Grasmere and up Helm Crag and back
- Coledale Horseshoe/round (or perhaps half round and down the valley)
We have 1 day left to fill...
Are the coastal areas of the Lake District worth visiting, and if so where? I appreciate some of them technically might lie outwith the actual National Park.
We are off down for 1 week, we've been a few times before and on this trip we have got the following planned, not necessarily in order:
- Boat trip from Glenridding to Pooley bridge, walk back along South side of Ullswater
- Hike from Glenridding - Catstycam - Hellvellyn - Dollywagon Pike - Glenridding loop
- Hike from Gatesgarth Farm up Haystacks
- Hike from Seathwaite up Green Gable and Great Gable
- Walk from Ambleside to Grasmere and up Helm Crag and back
- Coledale Horseshoe/round (or perhaps half round and down the valley)
We have 1 day left to fill...
yellowbentines said:
Rather than start a new thread I thought I'd add to this one.
Are the coastal areas of the Lake District worth visiting, and if so where? I appreciate some of them technically might lie outwith the actual National Park.
We are off down for 1 week, we've been a few times before and on this trip we have got the following planned, not necessarily in order:
- Boat trip from Glenridding to Pooley bridge, walk back along South side of Ullswater
- Hike from Glenridding - Catstycam - Hellvellyn - Dollywagon Pike - Glenridding loop
- Hike from Gatesgarth Farm up Haystacks
- Hike from Seathwaite up Green Gable and Great Gable
- Walk from Ambleside to Grasmere and up Helm Crag and back
- Coledale Horseshoe/round (or perhaps half round and down the valley)
We have 1 day left to fill...
It depends what you want to do really, drive and see things, do some costal path walks etc. As the other poster mentions Muncaster Castle, and the Lal Ratty plus some time in Ravenglass would fill a day, could also do a walk up Muncaster fell or explore the Duddon Valley. The costal walk from St. Bees to Whitehaven is nice but to be honest there are loads of nice beaches and costal walks a short drive from the Lakes which a lot of tourists overlook . I've always liked the areas around Grange Over Sands, nice promenade there-it's a short drive to Windermere. Are the coastal areas of the Lake District worth visiting, and if so where? I appreciate some of them technically might lie outwith the actual National Park.
We are off down for 1 week, we've been a few times before and on this trip we have got the following planned, not necessarily in order:
- Boat trip from Glenridding to Pooley bridge, walk back along South side of Ullswater
- Hike from Glenridding - Catstycam - Hellvellyn - Dollywagon Pike - Glenridding loop
- Hike from Gatesgarth Farm up Haystacks
- Hike from Seathwaite up Green Gable and Great Gable
- Walk from Ambleside to Grasmere and up Helm Crag and back
- Coledale Horseshoe/round (or perhaps half round and down the valley)
We have 1 day left to fill...
Thanks folks. The railway appeals to me - a change from walking or driving for a bit.
Will also check out the beach walk recommendations - to be honest anything outdoors, nice scenery, not too busy, where we can get a coffee, a beer and a bite to eat nearby appeals. We'll be going next week on a weekday so hopefully nowhere will be too busy, though I know we'll still need to be up early to get parked at some of the popular walking sites.
Will also check out the beach walk recommendations - to be honest anything outdoors, nice scenery, not too busy, where we can get a coffee, a beer and a bite to eat nearby appeals. We'll be going next week on a weekday so hopefully nowhere will be too busy, though I know we'll still need to be up early to get parked at some of the popular walking sites.
Absolutely love the Lakes - been going for 30 years and finally bought a place in Bowness 2 years ago. For anyone relatively new to the area and not looking to spend all day walking I would recommend the walk from Grasmere to to Helm Crag as a great introduction - not too far to climb - easy route to follow and fantastic views from the top. The Lancrigg Hotel has a great sun terrace with great views (the route up goes right across it) and they currently have a great Tipi Bar set up in the grounds. It's also far enough out of Grasmere that it's never too crowded. There is also a (unpublicised) public car park just before you get to the Hotel parking area - just follow the Easdale Road and signs for the hotel.
For any keen walkers the Kentmere Horseshoe is (imho) possibly the best day out on the fells - absolutely stunning route and very few people compared to the other 'classic' routes.
For any keen walkers the Kentmere Horseshoe is (imho) possibly the best day out on the fells - absolutely stunning route and very few people compared to the other 'classic' routes.
RonaldMcDonaldAteMyCat said:
You could go over Wrynose/Hardknott and take the minuture railway from Eskdale to Ravenglass, or head to Muncaster Castle.
This is the only part of the Lake District coast that I know is really nice. Ravenglass and Eskmeals. The beach from Seascalento Ravenglass is nice and Sandy, and I think the Esk estuary is a SSSI. It’s quite quiet too. And the road over Corney Fell from Eskmeals to Duddon Bridge is an awesome road (assuming the visibility is good and there aren’t too many sheep in the road).
Whitehaven looks like it should be nice, but I’ve only been once and it looked a bit run-down.
Should also mention the Lakeland motor museum - re-opening 17 May pre-booking available - for when it rains (happens occasionally...) - home of both the oldest and fastest TVRs..!
https://www.lakelandmotormuseum.co.uk/
https://www.lakelandmotormuseum.co.uk/
Edited by Wiltshire Lad on Tuesday 11th May 13:50
RonaldMcDonaldAteMyCat said:
You could go over Wrynose/Hardknott and take the minuture railway from Eskdale to Ravenglass, or head to Muncaster Castle.
If you end up in Eskdale the Boot Inn is a cracking pub. Also from Eskdale you can walk to Stanley Ghyll, doesn't take long and it's wonderful.https://www.visitcumbria.com/wc/stanley-ghyll-forc...
sinbaddio said:
If you end up in Eskdale the Boot Inn is a cracking pub. Also from Eskdale you can walk to Stanley Ghyll, doesn't take long and it's wonderful.
https://www.visitcumbria.com/wc/stanley-ghyll-forc...
Wow, Stanley Ghyll and the surrounds look awesome.https://www.visitcumbria.com/wc/stanley-ghyll-forc...
RammyMP said:
Myself and the wife are off to Grasmere in a couple of weeks time for the weekend. Can anyone recommend somewhere local for a meal on Saturday evening? We usually go to Misto in Ambleside but they’re not taking bookings and I don’t want to risk just turning up.
Cheers!
What sort of cuisine are you after? Forest Side worth a look.Cheers!
a311 said:
What sort of cuisine are you after? Forest Side worth a look.
We’re staying in the Daffodil, eating there Friday night but fancy going somewhere else for Saturday, not fussed about cuisine. I thought about Lewis’s but the Mrs is not convinced as they’ve not got a menu online…Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff