Our First Trip of 2012

For our first trip of the year we decided to revisit the Southern Lakes and in particular Coniston.

This was our favourite base in the lakes for many years before we started to drift further North and the pleasures of Borrowdale and Buttermere which seemed to draw us like a magnet every time we mentioned the Lakes. Love can be fickle!!

This year however we decided to go to the lakes for our first trip and because we were going earlier than normal the CC sites we would normally consider using in the northern lakes were closed.

We then decided to revisit our first love and were lucky enough to secure a pitch for the chosen week on the ever popular Beckthwaite CL right in the centre of Coniston Village on Lake Road.

Having had Queenie serviced and readied for the open road the excitement that had built over several weeks peaked as we hooked her up to the car and set off for what was thankfully an uneventful 2 hour drive.

We were not disappointed by our decision. This site is popular due to its location in the centre of the village, just a five minute stroll from the lakeside, and with the wonderful views of Old Man of Coniston and Wetherlam that greet you every morning as you open the caravan blinds. The cost of the pitch - £13 per night – is worth it and more just to be able to sit and have your breakfast whilst admiring the view.

Of the site itself it is only small but it has EHU, toilets and a shower if a little antiquated.  It has hard standings and has a stream running along one side and Lake Road on the other. Road noise at peak times of the day – a school is opposite the site – can be a little intrusive but overall the bird song wins. The site is quite sheltered and reasonably level.

The site is perfect for walking straight onto the Cumbrian Fells no need to move the car once you arrive. And our car remained on site for the whole stay. No matter what level of walking you are up to the site offers a wide choice. The high level walks of Dow Crag, Wetherlam, Black Sail, Swirl How and of course the Old Man of Coniston are all easily accessible from the village.  For those you would like an easier challenge then one of the 6 mile round walks to Tarn Hows or just a walk along the shore of the lake to Torver before catching the ferry back to Coniston are all on the door step.

For the first trip of the season and due in part to low level cloud that covered the higher fells for most of our stay we settled on less strenuous walks taking our time to admire the views that surround you no matter where you are around Consiton.

For those who want to venture further afield Ambleside is a short drive away whilst Windermere is easily reached – preferred route being via Hawkshead, Far Sawrey (Famous for Beatrix Potter) and the ferry saving several miles of driving round the Lake Windermere.

All of the above make this is a very busy site (there was never more than one pitch empty all week) especially weekends in season so be warned you will need to book early – but should be lucky enough to get a pitch I’m sure you will have a wonderful time in this perfect location.

We thoroughly enjoyed our time at Beckthwaite and Coniston Lake – needless to say it was all over to quickly - and are now eagerly awaiting Easter and our trip to the CC Hebden Bridge Site. Cant wait!!