Lake District villages and things to do in the lakes

This is a large village with an interesting church and churchyard. The churchyard contains the tallest ancient cross in the country. It stands 15 feet high and has a slender tapering shaft surmounted by a four hole head. The cross dates back to before the Norman Conquest. The church contains a Chinese bell which was captured from a fort on the Canton River by Sir Humphrey Senhouse. There are also two stone cannon balls from the Dardanelles. Inns: Globe Hotel, Horse and Groom. POSl office, licensed restaurant, garage, shops, cafe, bank, craft shop and toilets. Bus service to Millom and Whitehaven. Minibus service to Ambleside. Pony Trekking: Fleming Hall, Gosforth.

Calder Bridge

A roadside village between Whitehaven and Millom. Nearby is Calder Hall power station. Its reactors were the first in the world to create electricity from nuclear power commercially. The buildings can bePerfect morning by Wastwater, with the profile of the high peaks mirrored in the still lake. Prominent in the centre is Great Gable. (Tom Parker). seen on the seaward side of the village. Contrasting with these modern buildings is Calder Abbey, which lies about a mile upstream on the river Calder. The abbey was founded in 1134 by monks from Furness Abbey, but their settlement was destroyed by the Scots a few years later. Soon afterwards it was resettled and completed in 1180. The ruins are mostly of the 13th century including the north arcade which rises to 64 feet.

The village is a good centre if you want to enjoy the seaside and explore the rugged western valleys of Lakeland. There is a sandy beach and a fine 18 hole golf course. Post office, shops, chemist, banks, garage. Rail service to Barrow and Whitehaven. Bus service to Millom and Whitehaven.

St. Bees information

The town nestles under St. Bees Head, the highest point on the Cumberland coast. It is situated about half a mile from the sea, but the beach has the usual amenities. The church is on the site of a seventh century nunnery built by St. Bega from whom the place takes its name. After the dissolution of the monasteries the building was restored as the parish church. St. Bees is the starting point for a 190 miles coast to coast walk to Robin Hood's Bay on the Yorkshire coast.

Post office, shops, craft shop, restaurant, banks, garages, fish and chip shop, toilets. Bus service to Whitehaven and Egremont. Rail service to Whitehaven and Barrow. 9 hole golf course, sea fishing.

Egremont the Lake District

The town stands on the river Ehen which flows from Ennerdale Water. Standing high above the river are the ruins of Egremont Castle, associated with the Horn of Egremont legend. The horn used to hang outside the castle gate and could only be blown by the rightful heir. Sir Eustace de Lucy went off to the crusades with his brother Hubert. Sir Eustace was captured and Hubert was sent home to collect a ransom. On his return Hubert took over the estates and became Lord of the Manor, but did not dare attempt to blow the horn. Time passed and one day, while Hubert was feasting, there came a blast from the horn at the gate. Hubert realised his brother had returned. He fled, but later came back and was forgiven by Sir Eustace.

Keswick information

The market town is the capital of northern Lakeland. It is situated at the northern end of Derwentwater. The market is dominated by the Moot Hall which was first built in 1571 and rebuilt in 1813. The place is now used as a tourist information centre. The clock on the tower has only one hand.

Greta Hall was the home of Southey for forty years and was visited by many eminent literary figures of the day. The building is now part of Keswick School. Robert Southey is buried in Keswick's old church dedicated to St. Kentigern. The church is situated just off the Cockermouth road on the outskirts of the town. Near Southey's grave, in the churchyard, is an indicator naming many of the surrounding mountains. Inside the church is a memorial to Canon Rawnsley, vicar of the church for 34 years, and founder of the National Trust.

On Friars Crag to the south of Keswick, sign posted To the lake, is a memorial plaque to the canon. He fought many battles to stop the Lake District being spoiled. Also to be seen on Friars Crag is a memorial to John Ruskin. There is a fine view from the crag looking down Derwentwater. A short walk along the beach to the left gives the favourite view of Friars Crag, the rock promontory covered with Scots Pines.

A nature trail has been arranged from near the landing stage on the lake shore. The National Trust has an information centre here where you can obtain the descriptive leaflet. From the landing you can hire a boat or go for a trip on the pleasure boats. To the east of the town, where the road splits to Ambleside and Penrith, a small road leads up to Castlerigg Stone Circle. The circle is 100 feet across and is believed to date from the Bronze Age. There is a good view of the surrounding mountains from the circle, including Blencathra, 2,847 feet.

The local museum, in Fitz Park, contains many original letters written by famous literary people. The most remarkable object in the museum is the rck, steel and bell band. It consists of 60 specially chosen pieces of stone, 60 pieces of steel and 40 bells. The instrument was played by a father and his three sons who performed before Queen Victoria and completed a Continental tour.

Watendlath

The hamlet is situated at the end of a narrow twisty road. It is an exceptionally picturesque road which has two well-known views. About half a mile above the Borrowdale road, the Watendlath road crosses a small bridge. Park in the nearby car park and walk over to Ashness Gill; there is a superb view over Derwentwater to Skiddaw. A little further along the road, in Ashness Woods, there is an excellent view looking down into the Jaws of Borrowdale. The small hamlet of Watendlath is best seen from across the tarn, reflected in the water. It was used by Hugh Walpole as the setting for Judith Paris. The best time to visit the hamlet would be in the morning or evening as the narrow road becomes congested with traffic.

Grange village

The village is reached from the main road by two bridges which cross the river Derwent. It is a favourite theme for artists. The small church in the village is composed of local slate, and is even fenced round with slabs of slate. A mile to the north of the village are two waterfalls.

Barrow Falls drops 120 feet in two leaps. Behind the Swiss Lodore Hotel is the Lodore Cascade where Watendlath Beck falls about 100 feet. The cascade is reached through a turnstile (small fee) to the right of the hotel. Gates Hotel, restaurant, cafe, craft centre, toilets. Youth hostel. Bus service to Keswick and Seatoller.

Rosthwaite is situated at the southern side of the Jaws of Borrowdale. As you pass through the steep sided valley you will see a car park in a slate quarry; a path leads from the quarry to the Bowder Stone. The stone weighs nearly 2,000 tons. When it fell down the hillside it came to rest on its edge, and there it stands today. The base is so narrow that at one point a person at each side can hold hands underneath the rock. A ladder placed at the side gives access to the top of the stone.

Post office. Bus service to Keswick and Seatoller. Angling: Licences from Sea fell Hotel, Rosthwaite. The National Park issues a leaflet of walks around Rosthwaite.Lake District grandeur. Above: Buttermere and Crummock Water as seen from the outlet of Blackbeck Tarn. (N. Shuttleworth). Left: Early June at Rosthwaite in Borrowdale. (E. Emrys Jones).

Seathwaite the Lake District

The hamlet has the doubtful honour of being the wettest village in Britain. It is the starting point for the ascent of many mountains including Great Gable and Scafell Pike.

Seatoller village

The village is set at the foot of the steep Honister Pass which carries the road over into the Buttermere valley. Seatoller is the starting place for the Johnny Wood Nature Trail. Licensed restaurant, toilets. Bus service to Keswick. Minibus to Keswick via Buttermere. Information centre in Seatoller Barn.

Honister Pass

The road is steep, 1 in 4 in places, and climbs to a height of 1,176 feet. At the summit is a youth hostel and a large slate quarry. As you descend into the Buttermere valley you can see the sombre Honister Crags on the left and Buttermere straight in front of you.

Buttermere village

The village lies between Buttermere and Crummock Water. The small village church overlooks the place from the side of the road which climbs over Newlands Hause. The village is surrounded by mountains. Looking down the lake you can see Fleetwith Pike, 2,126 feet. Across the valley, from the church, are the three mountains of Red Pike, High Stile and High Crag. The local rescue team has a display of equipment in the school hall, near the church, on most weekends in summer. The National Park issues a leaflet of walks in the district.

Loweswater the Lake District

A small village between Crummock Water and Loweswater. Mellbreak, 1,676 feet, towers above the village to the south. There are some fine views from the road, alongside Loweswater.
Bus service to Cockermouth (not Sundays). Fishing permits from Scale Hill Hotel.

High and Low Lorton

Low Lorton is set in the pretty vale of Lorton through which flows the river Cocker. High Lorton is set at the foot of Graystones, 1,476 feet, about a quarter of a mile away. The road to Keswick climbs from High Lorton over the Whinlatter Pass, passing fells which are extensively wooded. High Lorton: Horseshoe Inn, post office/store, filling station. Low Lorton: Wheatsheaf Inn, store. Bus service to Cockermouth. Minibus service to Keswick.

Hotels in Windermere and Bowness

If you want to make the most of the Lake District attractions, check out the spa hotels and boutique hotels in Windermere and Bowness, and either use public transport or hire a car to explore the other areas of the Lake District.