About the Lake District

The Lake District is one of the most popular regions in England, and Cumbria offers visitors a wealth of beautiful landscapes and things to do and see around the lakes.

The Lake District has more variety of scenery than any other area of its size in Britain. It contains 16 major lakes from Windermere, England's largest lake, to Brotherswater set beside the road over Kirkstone Pass. There are also numerous mountain tarns. Towering above these picturesque lakes are some of England's highest mountains, including all of England's three-thousand footers.

With the M6 motorway passing close to the eastern side of the Lake District, it has brought a day trip within reach of people from as far afield as the Potteries and the Midlands. Good roads also make the area accessible from Teesside, Tyneside and the West Riding and Lancashire industrial belts.

Lake District hotels

Visitors to the Lake District can find plenty of hotels, spa hotels, boutique hotels, guesthouses and luxury B&B accommodation to suit all budgets and requirements. Windermere and Bowness, in particular have some of the best romantic hotels in the region.

The area caters well for the tourist; there are numerous tourist information offices and mobile information caravans. Fine scenery is set practically beside the road. You can still get the feel of being among the mountains without leaving your car, especially in Great Langdale, Buttermere and Wasdale. The finest way to explore the area is undoubtedly on foot. There are many footpaths which lead into quiet valleys and on to mountain tops. This is a particularly fine area for the outdoor enthusiast.
The best map for use in the area is the Ordnance Survey tourist map of the Lake District. In the National Park there are many disused mines. No attempt should be made to enter these mines. They are dangerous and having been disused for many years they could be ready to collapse.

Fishing in the Lake District

There is good fishing in the many lakes and rivers inside the National Park. Among the fish to be found are char, eels, perch, pike, brown trout, sea trout and salmon. A rod licence is always required and permission must be obtained from the holder or lessee of the fishing rights.

Lake District walks

The area is the finest in England for the fell walker. There are over 120 mountain tops over 2,000 feet in height. There are many paths and routes on to the tops of the mountains, and all of Lakeland's peaks are accessible without a rope. No one should go on to the tops without the proper equipment. Boots and windproof clothing should always be worn. You should also carry as a bare minimum a map, compass, whistle (and the knowledge of how to use them), waterproof clothing and some emergency rations.

It is also advisable to leave details of your route with someone.George Fisher's sports shop in Keswick hires out equipment to walkers who do not possess it. In case of accidents there are a number of very efficient rescue teams which can be contacted through the police. For further details see Mountain Rescue and Cave Rescue by the Mountain Rescue Committee, obtainable from most outdoor shops in the area.

Rock Climbing in the Lake District

There are rock climbs of every standard in the Lake District. It has been used as a training ground by many Alpine and Himalayan climbers. The principal centres are Great Langdale, Borrowdale, Pillar in Ennerdale and Wasdale. Great Langdale is a good area for the tourist to see climbers in action from the roadside. A pair of binoculars are handy.

Pony Trekking. There are a number of riding stables in the area which cater for pony trekking; they are listed separately at the end of each town or village. The ride should be booked beforehand and the ponies may be hired by the hour, half day or full day. Some of the centres give tuition, but it is preferable to have some previous experience and suitable clothing should be worn.

Water sports in Windermere

All water sports are catered for: the principal lakes for power boats and water skiing are Ullswater and Windermere. The best lakes for sailing are Bassenthwaite, Derwentwater, Coniston Water and Ullswater. There are sailing clubs at the northern end of Bassenthwaite and on the Howtown road beside Ullswater. Rowing boats can be hired for fishing or pleasure on Bassenthwaite, Buttermere. Coniston Water, Crummock Water, Derwentwater, Esthwaite Water, Grasmere, Loweswater, Ullswater and Windermere. Large pleasure boats operate regular services on Derwentwater, Ullswater and Windermere.
Some of the best towns and lakes to visit in the Lake District include:

Kendal

A large market town with many interesting buildings. For anyone coming to the Lake District from the south, this was, until the opening of the Kendal bypass, the first town they would reach. situated on the A6 it is still worth stopping for a look around. The town has many old houses. There are a number of small courtyards with narrow entrances, possibly a reminder of the days when the Scots came raiding over the border and the courtyards could easily be defended.

There is a pleasant riverside walk along the banks of the river Kent. Overlooking the river to the east are the remains of a Norman castle set on a small hill it is open to the public. The castle was the birthplace of Catherine Parr, the sixth wife of Henry VIII.

The church has an eighty foot tower and four aisles making it appear a large building inside. Behind the church is the Abbot Hall Art Gallery and Museum. The museum is set in a newly converted building and gives a fine display of exhibits and crafts from the surrounding area. The art gallery is housed in an 18th century mansion. In front of the mansion, close to the riverside walk, is a public bowling green. There are two other museums in the town including Castle Dairy, a curious old house with round chimneys. On the southern side of the town is the house where George Romney, the celebrated portrait painter, lived and died.

Windermere and Bowness

The two towns have grown together. The places have become a mecca for people visiting the Lake District. Windermere town is situated on high ground overlooking Bowness and Windermere. The place has many fine large houses built of local stone. Near the railway station, beside the Windermere Hotel, is a path which winds its way to the top of Orrest Head, 784 feet, a fine viewpoint. The Langdale Pikes and many more of Lakeland's mountains can be seen from the top; you can also see the full length of Windermere.

Near the lake, in Bowness, is St. Martin's Church. The church contains some fine stained glass in the east window, including some brought from Cartmel Priory. Close by is the pier, the calling place for the large pleasure boats which operate on the lake.

Looking across the lake you can see the well wooded Claife Heights on the opposite shore. In the lake, close to Bowness, is Belle Isle, the largest of Windermere's islands. Just north of Bowness on the A592 is the Steamboat Museum with a collection of Victorian and Edwardian steam launches. They are kept underere you may see pottery and leather-work being produced, stone cutting and you can try your hand at brass rubbing.

There are numerous shops, banks, cafes and inns. There are boats for hire on the lake. Golf 18 hole golf course. Bowling green. Bus services to Ambleside, Kendal, Newby Bridge and numerous spa hotels, romantic hotels and luxury hotels in Windermere and Bowness.

Belle Isle Windermere

The island is situated in the middle of Windermere, just opposite Bowness. This is the largest of the fourteen islands in the lake and covers 30 acres. It was the scene of a number of fights during the Civil War. The Round House and the gardens are open to the public. The house was built in 1774 by John Plaw. The price of admission includes the cost of the boat trip from Bowness.

Open mid May to mid September, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 10.30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Winster

Winster is a delightful village of whitewashed houses in a fine rural setting on the Bowness to Lancaster road. The post office is housed in an old cottage dated 1600 with a quaint porch.

Bowland Bridge

The picturesque hamlet of whitewashed cottages stands in the valley of the river Winster where the Kendal to Newby Bridge road crosses the river. A mile to the south is St. Anthony's Chapel at Cartmel Fell. The quaint church was built about 1504 and contains a three decker pulpit dated 1698. Opposite the pulpit are two large family pews for members of two local halls. There is some fine fifteenth century stained glass. In the churchyard there is a circular mounting block with a post in the centre. This was used for throwing the bridles over to stop the horses straying around the churchyard.

Newby Bridge

Newby Bridge is situated on the river Leven, a mile below the foot of Windermere. The Leven is crossed by a narrow, five arched bridge, which has cut outs on the buttresses for pedestrians to take refuge from passing vehicles. On the northern side the river, just over the railway bridge, a path turns off to Finsthwaite Tower, set on a wooded height. The tower was built in 1799 to commemorate the men of the Royal Navy for their defeats over the French, Spanish and Dutch fleets. A mile to the north of the village is Fell Foot Park owned by the National Trust. Graythwaite Hall contains seven acres of landscaped gardens and is open from April to June.

Lakeside pleasure boats

This is the southern landing stage for the pleasure boats which ply up and down the lake. The place is now served by a short private railway which operates from Haverthwaite station on the Newby Bridge to Ulverston road. Trains run along the line to connect with the pleasure boats. The trains are steam hauled and the line gives some fine views of the Leven valley.

The Stott Park Bobbin Mill, close by, is a museum based on the local bobbin industry. Wooden bobbins for sewing threads and other uses were produced in the mill. It was originally powered by water when built in 1835. There is also a coppice walk around the site.

Cartmel information

This is a place full of character. The beautiful priory church was one of the few buildings to escape total destruction at the dissolution and was afterwards restored as the parish church. The tower of the church is set facing the points of the compass. Inside the church is a magnificent oak screen. One of the pillars in the church bears a plaque recording that Rowland Briggs left a gift of money to provide five shillings to the sextant every Christmas to keep his grave unbroken. He also provided enough bread for the local housekeepers, every Sunday, for ever. The bread can still be seen awaiting collection on a shelf.

In the market place is a market cross and the old priory gatehouse. In the upstairs room of the gatehouse, reached by a steep circular staircase, is a National Trust shop and gift centre. There is also a village water pump near the market cross. There is another water pump, dated 1866, near the Pig and Whistle Inn. On the outskirts of the village is a curious sign stating the distances to Lancaster and Ulverston over the sands. This refers to the days when the route to Lancaster crossed Morecambe Bay and the route to Ulverston crossed the Leven estuary. These were dangerous crossings and Cartmel Priory employed a guide to see travellers safely over the rivers.

The 17th century Great Cruck Barn has been converted into a gallery of wood sculptures; a major new sculpture is added to the exhibition each year. Inns: Cavendish Arms, King's Arms, Pig and Whistle, Royal Oak, Priory Hotel. POSI office, store, cafes, craft shop, gift shop, art gallery, antique shop, book shop, toilets, garage. Riding: Birkby Cottage, Cartmel Bus service to Grange-over-Sands, Newby Bridge, Kendal and Ulverston.

Lake District Attractions

There is so much to see and do in the Lake District, that it would be hard to mention just a few of the many attractions. From Go Ape in Grizedale Forest, to the Beatrix Potter Attraction in Bowness boating on Windermere, you will find a wealth of things to see and do in the region to suit all tastes, budgets and age-groups.