Lakeland Adventures in the North-West of England
In the November 2018 issue of the Club magazine (which should be hitting your doormats from today) Jane McGowan and family explore England's North West for a Lakeland adventure. They were keen to avoid the well-trodden paths and find some hidden gems.
Staying at Meathop Fell Club Site, Kendal Club Site, Old Barn CL Site, Troutbeck Head Club Site, Wallthwaite CL Site, Englethwaite Hall Club Site and Croft Ends Farm CL Site they managed to fit lots in and have some great ideas and suggestions of places to visit, attractions and activities in the area and in such a beautiful location there is so much to see and do.
Have you stayed at any of these sites and do you have any recommendations of things to do in the area? We would love for you to post your ideas and suggestions and any photos of your holidays here. 
Comments
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Well apart from bagging some Wainwrights,(one right from the site at Troutbeck Head), all attractions are good in the lake from low level walk, round the lakes, Buttermere and Derwentwater ,one the best attractions I would say is Honister slate mine with their mine tours and via Ferrata. Boat and steam train trips a close second .
But don't forget to take wet weather gear!
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From Troutbeck Head a short drive takes you to Aira Force and a nicewalk above Ullswater. Glenridding and boat on Ullswater to Howtown, a beautiful walk back round the end of the lake. Although you do need to take out a small mortgage to pay for parking.☹️ Or if a bit more energetic you can't beat the views from the Saddleback of Blencathra.
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My oft used photo of Buttermere, reached on the excellent bus service from Keswick which runs a circular route in both directions taking in Whinlatter Forest, Buttermere, Honister, Borrowdale and Derwentwater, hop on and off the bus at leisure and enjoy the views, walks and pubs. Useful if staying at the Borrowdale site, with a bus stop close to the entrance or if staying at Troutbeck Head, park up at the bus station in Keswick (by Booths supermarket) and let the bus do the work. There are some spectacular views on this route.
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I'm sure many of us have our favourite spots in the Lakes and we are lucky to have such a beautiful National Park to explore. Many of the younger generation think visiting the Lakes means a visit to Windermere as it did for me, over 50 years ago. As the years have gone by I have spent many hours exploring this wonderful area and look forward to reading the article albeit from Ro's introduction above - it appears the McGowans haven't yet stumbled across my piece of heaven in their attempts to avoid well-trodden paths! I wait in anticipation!
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Great pic, we always have a great meal at the Fish hotel after a walk around Buttermere
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Hop off and you might not get on the next one, lots of silver surfers on a circular tour, it happened to me last week ended up walking back to rosthwaite from honister.
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One recommendation - buy the four 1:25000 OS maps that cover the Lake District together with a compass (learn to use it rather than rely on a phone GPS) and then escape the crowds. You don't have to do 'the tops' to get away. Avoid Windermere and Bowness like the plague.
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A visit to Bowness takes you down to the shores of Windermere, I love those boat trips and the onward ferry that gives you access to Hilltop Farm. Tarn Howes and Hawkshead….
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Where was the so called hidden gems,they seemed to go down all the well trodden paths, No! the hidden gems will remain hidden.😇
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yes indeed, like to add a steam train to the Windermere boats
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The magic lies on the fell tops, you need to go up a few fells and experience the great weather,
Where was this anyone?
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they are more fun when the weather is interesting. This one (took with my earliest digital camera (2MP wow!) is grainy but to me just sums up the lure of the high places and one of my favourite pics!
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Bottom of gable, enroute to Scafell ect
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they are more fun when the weather is interesting. This one (took with my earliest digital camera (2MP wow!) is grainy but to me just sums up the lure of the high places and one of my favourite pics!
I'll take your word for it
unless I'm skiing down it covered in snow, or flying over it or cable car/train I don't want to know 0 -
Yes Styhead Tarn, We left Troutbeck Head at 5am and parked at Seathwaite. A horrible day but we were determined to do Scafell Pike (it was mid July) and past the tarn we were in mist or low flying clouds, rain wind all the way.
As you can see we were in full wet weather gear and it was cold but I remember at Lingmel col, an scary 'apparition' started to appear, it was a chap wearing a flapping poncho, t shirt shorts and sandals (I kid you not) when we got closer he gave a board Australian G'day. He was staying in Wastwater and thought he'd have a quick walk up the hill! Is it far to the top he asked, we mildly pointed the way and off he went.
I guess they are tough down under
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Great place whatever the weather, what's that advert G'day G'night G'mornin after.😀
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It’s been quite a few years since we visited The Lake District. The last time we went we decided on June. My reasoning, it had rained in the preceding years, visiting in July. It turned out to be the wettest June on record! Anyway, we’re going to give it another go, next June. We’re staying at Troutbeck Head, before heading north to Scotland. We’re not the most ‘travelled’, but The Lakes has to be one of the most stunning/beautiful places on Earth. Love it...
As for suggestions what to do, get out and walk the Fells, the views and experience are out of this world, so rewarding.
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I agree those that just come to the towns do miss out on a awful lot. Doesn't have to be a summit (but the feeling is fantastic) there are plenty of walks away from the roads for everyone, and nothing like having the whole place to yourself.
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just off now to watch the sunrise from the stone circle at Castlerigg. Should get some pictures as the sun comes up after 8. Clear morning here (so far)
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Beautiful place. Mrs WN has produced a painting of this and it hangs in our house, not through favouritism but because its good.
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Yes one of my favourite places . Just stand there and think about all the people who came before you for the last few thousand years
Frosty start here today but another day of sunshine ahead.
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Thanks so much everyone for posting your tips and advice.
Thanks also for sharing some amazing pictures. I would love to try and get some of these in a future Club magazine. Can anyone who has posted pictures please email me a higher resolution communitymanager@camc.com and I will forward to the editor.
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As a Scot I just love Scotland.and all it has to offer the tourist.
But
The area known as the Lake District in Cumbria is to my mind the most beautiful and scenic area in the whole country of England. Having toured all over England I have not seen anywhere as perfect for those who enjoy the outdoor experience amid stunning scenery. There is something for everyone to enjoy except of course for those who spend their holiday glued to the TV.
A few years ago we found an excellent CL at Wallthwaite,---- well place for touring that wonderful area and would always choose that CL when revisiting that area. For a full blown campsite site you can get no better than the C&CC site in Keswick, on the lakeside and within a few minutes walk to the town it'self. The C&CC sometimes hold a laid back holiday rally just outside Keswick adjacent to the Cricket club. No need to book, just turn up and you will be made welcome.
Yes the Lake District is most definitely England's jewel in the crown.
K
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