You'll only find one lake in the Lake District (Lake District)

Member Name: Fiver29

Product:	Lake District
Date:	16/04/09 (214 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Beautiful scenery

Disadvantages: Sore feet

I am extremely lucky as I live about 20 minutes away from the Lake District. And I don't believe you'll find anywhere in England more beautiful, every corner you turn brings another amazing scene, and throughout the year these scenes change, so it's never dull or repetitive. It'd be hard to write a review on the entire Lake District without writing a book, so I thought I'd share a few of my favourite places with you.

Firstly, it has to be Fell Foot, on the banks of Windermere. I've actually done a full review separately for this, but briefly it's a National Trust property at the southern end of Windermere, which is absolutely brilliant for children. There's loads of open space for picnicking and playing games, of course there's the lake for swimming or boating. A lovely little cafe, a newly updated playground which has two areas, one for small children and one for older children. There's also a large car park, so there isn't a long trek with your picnic basket. The car park is a little expensive at approximately £7 for the day (I say approximately because no doubt they will put the charges up again this year); however as a National Trust member we park for free.

The next one on my list is at the opposite end of the National Park, and again is part of the National Trust. Not too far from Penrith you'll find Aira Force, a beautiful waterfall hidden away from the road. You can park up in the Trust's car park, and again you'll have to Pay and Display if you're not a member, also in the car park you'll find a small cafe. But the main attraction is a small walk from the car park. The walk up to the waterfall can be quite steep in places, but there is a longer less steep walk for people who might not be too firm on their feet. Once you get close to the top the path splits off in two directions. You can either carry on up and take the bridge directly over the top of the fall, or you can go down a little way and cross the bridge half way up the fall. Each offers a unique close up of the power of the water fall, and superb photo opportunities. And each of the different seasons offers a different perspective as well. It's also very close to Ullswater, which is not particularly one of my favourite places, but still well worth a visit if you are up in that area.

Torver Common is also another favourite place. This is more of a walking area than anything else. Although we tend to park so that we can pop over the road to the opposite side from the common and picnic by the river before setting off on a walk. There is no real parking by the common, so you have to grab a space when you see it. Close to the gate there is space for about 6-7 cars (depending how well people park), then 50 meters up the road, probably room for another 3, then a little bit further up there is a rough piece of land opposite a Land Rover garage that many people use as a car park. The walk can take you off in many directions, and to be honest we've never managed to go on the same trail twice, we've always veered off somewhere, even ending up walking down the middle of a stream because it was easier than the boggy land beside it lol. But no matter which way you walk, chances are you'll end up at the banks of Coniston Water, where you'll be able to enjoy beautiful scenery in almost perfect peace, as most people just meander along and stop for a few minutes before setting off again. The water is great for skimming stones, and we can spend ages there having competitions. You can then follow the path along the lake side and you'll end up back at the common and back to the car.

I could go on all day, but I'll limit my list to one more place, Grizedale Forest. Grizedale is located between Esthwaite Water and Coniston. Parking always used to be a problem here, but they've created a larger car park a couple of years ago, so chances are you shouldn't have a problem now. At the old car park (which is still useable) you'll find the visitors centre, the shop, the cafe and a massive playground for the children which is all wood and looks like a ship. There's also a place to hire cycles and the Go Ape tree top experience, where nutters (lol) can swing through the trees and clamber around 19 metres in the air!! I have to say I've never tried it, the trees would probably bend under the weight, but I've watched people doing it and they always look like they are thoroughly enjoying it, and I admit I'd love to have a go on the zip wire. It's open for children over 10 and adults, currently the prices are £20 for children up to 17 and £25 for adults.

For the less adventurous among you there are several different walks around the forest, all of differing difficulties and distances. Some of the walks are free of styles, so they are suitable for wheelchair users, although none are actual pavemented walks, so they might still be hard going depending on the style of wheelchair, because I know some are far more difficult to push or handle than others. The other walks range from a 1 mile blue walk which is classed as easy to a 9 and a half mile orange walk, which is classed as strenuous. The walks are all marked out with arrows of certain colours along the route, so you don't accidently go along a more difficult path.

As you're walking round you'll find statues hidden among the trees, I say hidden, some of them are quite obvious and out in the open, but the kids love to be the first one to spot the next statue. The statues are mostly made of natural materials, although some of the newer ones are metal rather than wood. Also hidden in the forest is a fully equipped theatre which hosts Theatre in the Forest productions year round.

Of course there are endless places to visit in the Lake District; I tend to avoid the touristy places like Windermere town, Bowness, Ambleside etc, because they can be over priced and overcrowded (although the first on my list is a tourist place, so that probably sounds a bit hypocritical!). The Lake District needn't cost you a fortune when you visit; you just have to look a bit further afield.

Summary: Bring a brolly.