3 days in The Lakes - What to do???
Discussion
Heading to The Lakes for a 3 days break with the Missus and the youngest (2YO) next week and wondered what first time vistors would do or should definatley see in the 3 days we are there??
Is a boat trip across Windemerre a most or a walk along a certain route ???
Also any other suggestions would be helpful, place to eat ect
We will be staying in Coniston
Is a boat trip across Windemerre a most or a walk along a certain route ???
Also any other suggestions would be helpful, place to eat ect
We will be staying in Coniston
Personally I'm a big advocate of getting as far from Windermere as possible - too touristy, views aren't great, too touristy...you see where I'm going with this.
Wrynose and Hardknott Passes are a bit of a must - regardless of how much or little you enjoy your driving. Provided your missus isn't too nervous a passenger.
Of the better known lakes Ullswater is well worth visiting but Buttermere and Crummock Water (they're adjacent) are less busy and more impressive. Lovely drive in through Newlands Hause too if you're coming from Keswick direction.
Wast Water is (IMO) a must - on a summers day there is no prettier lake in England.
But if you feel up to getting into the hills it changes the perspective of the area completely. Somewhere like Lingmoor Fell is an easy enough walk but has spectacular views - and you can easily be up and down in an hour and a half, even with the little one. Old Man Coniston from the Walna Scar quarry car park is another fairly easy walk and will be local to you. There are plenty of similar options and getting up high really helps you appreciate just how pretty the area is.
I've not eaten out much round that way but The Wainwrights in Chapel Stile (the Langdale Valley, not far from Ambleside) is a decent gastro-pub.
Wrynose and Hardknott Passes are a bit of a must - regardless of how much or little you enjoy your driving. Provided your missus isn't too nervous a passenger.
Of the better known lakes Ullswater is well worth visiting but Buttermere and Crummock Water (they're adjacent) are less busy and more impressive. Lovely drive in through Newlands Hause too if you're coming from Keswick direction.
Wast Water is (IMO) a must - on a summers day there is no prettier lake in England.
But if you feel up to getting into the hills it changes the perspective of the area completely. Somewhere like Lingmoor Fell is an easy enough walk but has spectacular views - and you can easily be up and down in an hour and a half, even with the little one. Old Man Coniston from the Walna Scar quarry car park is another fairly easy walk and will be local to you. There are plenty of similar options and getting up high really helps you appreciate just how pretty the area is.
I've not eaten out much round that way but The Wainwrights in Chapel Stile (the Langdale Valley, not far from Ambleside) is a decent gastro-pub.
I's with ^^ Windermere isn't the best, although it does have more shops if you need them.
Keswick is a pretty little place, and on the edge of Derwentwater which I really like.
Castlerigg Stone Circle is worth a visit, intriguing place.
You should drive some of the crazy passes, Kirkstone and The Struggle gives a good view over Windermere if you're in that area, The Honister heads over to Buttermere (where there is a nice little tea rooms). Half way over the Honister there is a slate mine you can go down.
Wastwater is amazing, but can be a bit bleak in poor weather.
All around Ullswater there are little rocky beaches suitable for paddling or a picnic.
Normally when I am in the Lakes I am the only one moving around, as a landscape photographer dawn is my time, if it helps at all my gallery of Lake District photos has locations if you want some ideas http://www.markmullenphotography.co.uk/?q=lake%20d...
Keswick is a pretty little place, and on the edge of Derwentwater which I really like.
Castlerigg Stone Circle is worth a visit, intriguing place.
You should drive some of the crazy passes, Kirkstone and The Struggle gives a good view over Windermere if you're in that area, The Honister heads over to Buttermere (where there is a nice little tea rooms). Half way over the Honister there is a slate mine you can go down.
Wastwater is amazing, but can be a bit bleak in poor weather.
All around Ullswater there are little rocky beaches suitable for paddling or a picnic.
Normally when I am in the Lakes I am the only one moving around, as a landscape photographer dawn is my time, if it helps at all my gallery of Lake District photos has locations if you want some ideas http://www.markmullenphotography.co.uk/?q=lake%20d...
Do what I did - drive across he Kirkstone Pass, absolutely stunning and a nice drive. Then go back you the hotel in the evening and over a beer decide that you'll drive the Hardknott Pass first thing in the morning on Sunday, the day after it has just opened in the year in the driving rain with snow melt water gushing down the road. It was a bit of an eye opener on low profile tyres and rear wheel drive 
We then got flagged down by a driver asking us "what conditions are like on the pass this morning" - "not bad" we replied as we drove onwards quivering at the wheel....
Seriously, just drive around the lakes randomly, pull over at the side of the road once in a while and take in the views.
We then got flagged down by a driver asking us "what conditions are like on the pass this morning" - "not bad" we replied as we drove onwards quivering at the wheel....Seriously, just drive around the lakes randomly, pull over at the side of the road once in a while and take in the views.
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