Can you see the hills? (Lake District)

Member Name: lellagrace

Product:	Lake District
Date:	12/04/07 (450 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Area of outstanding natural beauty

Disadvantages: Not so good when it rains!

LAKES

As you would expect from the name "The Lake District" this is an area of outstanding natural beauty, where huge lakes nestle at the foot of mountains. The area is in Cumbria, formed from the former counties of Cumberland and Westmorland.

Windermere is the largest lake in England, it is twelve miles long and over 200 feet deep. The town of Bowness on Windermere is a popular tourist destination and in the summer there are many boating enthusiasts sailing their craft on the lake. In addition, large cruisers take passengers on a tour of the lake, this can take up to three hours and on a warm summer's day is a relaxing experience.

It is possible to combine a cruise on the lake with a ride on the steam railway which runs from Lakeside.

In addition to Lake Windermere, there is Ullswater, the second largest lake at just over 7 miles long, Coniston Water is the third largest lake and is approx 5 miles long.

The highest lake is Haweswater and this is now a reservoir providing water for the Manchester area. It is a long drive around the lake and there is nothing nearby, except a few sheep grazing on the hills! However, the area surrounding Haweswater is home to the Golden Eagles and at the end of the road around the lake is a car park where you can walk onto the surrounding hillside and perhaps catch a glimpse of wildlife, including red squirrels, if you are lucky.

GRASMERE

The lake in Grasmere is on the edge of the village of Grasmere and has been the inspiration for many painters and poets, including William Wordsworth.

The poet is buried in the village churchyard and in the surrounding grounds there are plans to make a daffodil garden. Wordworth's poem "Daffodils" is well known and today I heard that it has been set to a rap song in a bid to encourage younger people to visit the Lake District! I am not sure if this a good thing or not, if the youngsters only visit because they like rap music then I think they will be disappointed in the area.

There are a few shops in the village of Grasmere, as in most other villages, some offer traditional outdoor supplies, others gifts and many art shops too, as well as restaurants and cafes.

BEATRIX POTTER

Since the film Miss Potter was made I am sure many more people will have become interested in the Lake District.

Beatrix lived at Hilltop in the village of Sawrey and the easiest way to reach this is via the car ferry from Bowness.

Hilltop is now owned by the National Trust and there is a car park nearby and a gift shop on site, selling of course Beatrix Potter artefacts!

The house itself is very interesting as there are many items on display which belonged to Beatrix and it is possible to see the rooms and imagine her sitting there when she wrote her books. Outside the garden has been made to look as it would when Peter Rabbit ran amongst the cabbages, complete with watering can and spade!

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

The Lake District attracts many people for different reasons. Personally I enjoy the peace and tranquillity in early Spring, the daffodils are blooming and there are not too many people around. It is enough for me to take a pleasant stroll around the lakes or sit and read a book, or maybe do some sketching, on the shores or in the hills.

Others may prefer more energetic pursuits. Groups of walkers, hill climbers and water sports enthusiasts crowd into the Lake District throughout the year, but particularly in the summer and especially at Bank Holiday weekends.

APPLEBY HORSE FAIR

In early June the town of Appleby becomes crowded with travellers (who used to be called gypsies) who go there to take part in the annual horse fair. Horses are bought and sold throughout the weekend and in the days leading up to this and afterwards, your journey may be severely delayed.It is not unusual to see convoys of horse drawn caravans making their journey to and from Appleby, quaint to see but frustrating if you are stuck behind them. More modern caravans are also encountered too, so if you are planning a trip to the Lake District this year, avoid the weekend in early June if you don't want to spend a long time reaching your destination.

ACCOMMODATION

On my latest visit to the Lake District we stayed at a Macdonald hotel, The Old England, which is on the shore of Windermere in Bowness. It is centrally situated in the village but tucked away behind the church so not too easy to find at first.

The hotel is currently undergoing extensive refurbishment, but nevertheless the tariffs are not cheap. It can cost around 200 GBP for one night.

Dinner in the restaurant was a pleasant experience, but it is a rule of the hotel that gentlemen must wear a jacket on Friday and Saturday evenings.

The staff, without exception, were friendly, efficient and courteous. In the rooms were complimentary bottles of water, which I think all hotels should provide.

If you don't want to stay in a hotel, there are lots of cheaper B & B establishments, camp sites and caravan parks. The tourist information centres have details of these and are very helpful.

SHOPPING

As a shopaholic I couldn't resist finding out what the shopping centre was like in Bowness. There is a traditional toyshop and a wonderful chocolate shop, as well as the other more usual gift shops.

Lakeland Plastics also have their main store at Bowness, situated right next to the station and bus station. There is a large car park and you could spend a couple of hours wandering around the store if it is a rainy day and the lakes do not have the usual appeal.

SIGHTSEEING

If you want to drive then take a trip through the Wrynose Pass, but not if you are nervous! The twisting roads take you up through the mountainous scenery, where you will have magnificent views, but may also be a little scared as you make your way around the hairpin bends!

Near the village of Askham is the Lowther Estate, this is worth a visit. Lowther castle dominates the estate but is not open to the public. Sheep graze on the grasslands, an old church is worth a visit and then take a stroll along the grassland. Picnicking is forbidden on the estate however, so do be warned.

Try to get off the beaten track if you want to avoid the crowds, the Lake District has lots to offer, but can be crowded at peak times.

SUMMARY

There is so much to see and do in the English Lake District that I could not possibly include everything in this review. If you are planning a trip there then do some research first, either on the internet or by contacting the tourist boards. If the weather is good you will enjoy your visit, but if it is rainy you might have to have contingency plans, especially if you have children.

There is an old saying about the Lake District - "if you can see the hills it is going to rain, if you can't see them it is already raining."

Summary: The north's beauty spots