“ Go out and have fun…go on be off with you! ”
For further options check out www.thelakedistrict.org/things-to-do
BEST FOOT FORWARD
Fancy a stroll or something more energetic?
Well, you have come to the right place as Wainwright racked up 214 walks, but maybe the best option is to download the AllTrails app as they have over 1000 walks here in Cumbria with search engines to help you narrow down what you are looking for and prevent you getting lost along the way.
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Achieve Cat Bells by wandering through Grange village and into Manesty Woods with the lake on your right, before cutting upwards and back along the mountain’s spine to summit Catbells with terrific views of Derwent water, Keswick and Borrowdale. With views like this it isn’t surprising Catbells is one of the most popular walks in the Lakes. Once at the top just follow one of the paths back into Grange.
Or head for Castle Crag which is the isolated peak sitting in the middle of the valley just above Grange.
Alternatively, Derwent Water provides a lovely obstacle to circumnavigate in it’s entirety but do be mindful that sections of the path can get flooded-out after heavy rain. If this is too far you can make it more interesting by walking to one of Keswick Launches’ docks (boat stops at Ladore around 20 past the hour, or High Brandelhow at half past the hour) and glide across the lake taking in the majesty of the mountains all around, and skip a few sections of the lake’s foot path. Or walk one way into Keswick around the lake, and then cheat by taking the #78 bus back to Grange from outside Booths supermarket.
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Well, the drive to Buttermere takes you up and over the Honister Pass which is a stunning drive before descending down into Buttermere. If you get lucky as you come down the hill you might be able to spring for some free parking on the right before hitting the pay and displays in the village. Buttermere fills the valley floor to the left and the walk is a nice circular stroll around the lake which is suitable for the whole family. At the end of the valley Haystacks (597m) makes a great extension to this walk which looks back over Buttermere. This was Wainwright favourite mountain, and his ashes were scattered here. If you’re feeling peckish at the end of the walk or you want to picnic by the lake, I would recommend popping into Syke Farm Tea Room as they have some lovely pies and treats.
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It was raining and I was only ten when I first walked up Helvellyn and it has always been burnt into my memory. While the top gives you phenomenal views (like the majority of the mountains in the Lakes) its transiting Striding Edge with the drops to either side which is memorable- recommendation for a little more entertainment, walk with somebody who isn’t keen on heights!
Or why not climb to the top of England and head for Scarfell Pike (978m), the highest peak in the UK. It really isn’t as hard as you might think, however there are many ways up so look closely at the mileage before making your desired selection otherwise it could be a much longer walk.
WOOHOO I’M NOT WASHING UP
Whether you are looking to grab a quick bite as the fridge is looking rather stark, or craving to go out for dinner there are lots of great options around. Maybe you have something to celebrate and you’re looking for something special, if so there are 13 Michelin restaurants in Cumbria!
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Thirsty and in a hurry, the closest bar is in the Borrowdale Gates Hotel, perfect for an evening stroll through the village and a quiet drink with no need for a taxi, and they serve nice food as well if you can’t be bothered to cook www.borrowdale-gates.com/dining . The Borrowdale Hotel as you head back down the valley on the right also has a bar which tends to be a bit busier. Going up the valley and deeper into Borrowdale, you will find the Langstrath Country Inn in Stonethwaite for a pint in a country pub. www.thelangstrath.co.uk
Keswick is full of pubs which attract a lot of locals and visitors alike so they do get very busy (be warned), but if you're looking for somewhere a little bit quirky and lively, then don’t miss out on The Crafty Baa. It is full of interesting knick-knacks, friendly staff, and a good range of craft beers, it's everything you need for an atmospheric evening especially if they have live music. They've also recently been named AA Best Pub of the Year! www.thecraftybaa.com
If you’re craving a great burger, then there is only one place to head which is the The Round on main street. As a plus, The Round also serves the best cocktails in town and has a vibrant atmosphere, however they don’t take bookings so be prepared to wait but it will be worth it
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If you ran out of time to buy supplies for your stay or you couldn’t fit anything else in the car, don’t worry as Mike and the team at Grange Café (a one minute stroll away) will sort you out and keep your bellies full until you can properly settle in.
If you’re coming and going along the A66 during your outings and get peckish keep an eye out for Basecamp (home of Alpacaly Ever After), they have a great provisioning shop which sources all its products locally which they also use in their Mess Hall which serves breakfast and lunches.
If you end up near Buttermere, then head to Syke Farm Tea Shop for some amazing pies and a selection of different mash and lashings of gravy, along with all the other normal things you would expect, and all done well.
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The Lakes are dotted with cafes and tea shops but if you are looking for something a little different, why not try Bassenthwaite Lake Station. Make a reservation and ensure to book a table in their Orient Express carriage which sits at the platform, yes it was an actual train station on the Cockermouth to Keswick line. www.basslakestation.co.uk017687 76599
Or head to Lingholm Kitchen, to look out on the walled garden which was Beatrix Potter’s inspiration for Mr McGregor’s garden in the Tale of Peter Rabbit. The garden cake and Victorian sponge roulade shouldn’t be missed. Again, plan and make a reservation especially if you are planning to go for afternoon tea.
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Over in Embleton on the road to Cockermouth, you will find The Wheatsheaf Inn which is a lovely gastro-pub offering a creative menu with great service. Try and save a bit of room for their Eton Mess which everyone raves about wheatsheaf-embleton.co.uk
The Horse and Farrier in Threlkeld offers a warm welcome and serves good pub food. www.horseandfarrier.com
For a traditional English pub meal and experience, The Pheasant Inn (Keswick) serves a range of real ales, alongside hearty, locally sourced pub food.
www.pheasantinnkeswick.co.ukFurther afield, if your ventures take you to the southern Lakes then don’t miss out on a meal at the Black Bull in Sedbergh, or make this your main attraction for the day and tag on some activities. Nina Matsunaga owner/head chef offers a unique contemporary menu designed with influences taken from both Japanese and German cuisine, made with only the finest locally produced ingredients. As well as exquisite dishes on the A la Carte menu, Nina’s flare carries over into Sunday lunches and specialty nights like Monday pie night and Tuesday curry night.
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On the lower slopes of Skiddaw, England’s third highest mountain, Lyzzick Hall’s setting is far from the crowds, yet within easy reach of Keswick. The hotel is open to non-residents and offers a more formal setting for lunch and dinner with crisp white linen napkins and candles.
Perched 1,000ft up in the Whinlatter Forest above Keswick with stunning views of the Forest Valley and Skiddaw Mountain range. The Cottage in the Wood is a unique Michelin Star Restaurant. Cottage in the Wood is deserving of it’s Michelin star, and is a bolt-hole for foodies.
At a lonely cross-roads, seemingly in the middle of nowhere is the Drunk Duck Inn near Ambleside. Despite its pubby exterior, the Duck offers far-from-ordinary pub grub with upscale dining and great service. In fact, this was the Lake District’s first gastropub, where you’ll find food that is considered but never pretentious. How about wood pigeon, pickles, and spicy pumpkin seed sauce, or venison with polenta, chard and wild garlic? There’s a restaurant-standard wine list plus its own-brew beer to drink.. You can opt to sit in the cosy dining-room or jovial bar.
Contact: drunkenduckinn.co.ukLocated just on the edge of Keswick and near the turn for the lake you will find the Fellpack. More-ish nibbles – such as homemade focaccia, and chorizo in red wine – are followed by their signature ‘Fellpots’; classics given a Middle-Eastern or Asian spin and served in chunky stoneware bowls. Slow-braised beef shin ragu, and lamb tagine with minted labneh and toasted pistachios are firm favourites, plus there are punchy vegetarian and vegan options. It’s fun, laidback, friendly with some great cocktails and a good wine list.
www.fellpack.co.uk/fellpack-restaurantIf you are near Grassmere or happy for a scenic drive, the Jumble Room only uses 100% organic produce in a quirky setting. In their words….. small bohemian style restaurant, casual, honest, restorative and uncompromising in the pursuit of quality. Prepared with love and served with pride!
www.thejumbleroom.co.ukIf you fancy something Asian then Mizu Pan Asian just down the valley at the Ladore Hotel might be the ticket. The menu offers Japanese, Korean, Malaysian and Thai specialties washed down with Asian beers, whiskies and inspired cocktails. However, this restaurant has received a few mixed of reviews over the years, so I would encourage you to check out the most recent reviews to see how they are currently performing.
www.lakedistricthotels.net/lodorefalls/mizu -
You won’t believe me, but Cumbia has more Michelin star restaurants than any other county in the UK, and that’s a fact. I know you don’t believe me, so go ahead and google it. I told you.
Simon Rogan’s L’Enclume (creative) in Cartmel is the only 3 star Michelin restaurant in Cumbria, while the other twelve have single stars. Simon’s sister restaurant in the same village Rogan and Co (creative British Cuisine) also carries a star.
The nearest of the Michelin’s is Jack Bond’sCottage in the Wood (modern British Cuisine and only twenty minutes away) which is located in the idyllic location of Whinlatter Forest near Braithwaite.
Ben Queen-Fryer’s restaurant makes use of a traditional pub setting, the Dog and Gun in Skelton. The Dog and Gun serves amazing meals without being pretentious. While Richard Swale the head chef at Allium (modern cuisine) can be found in at Askham Hall.
The village of Ambleside (40 mins away) boasts three 1 star restaurants. The Samling (modern cuisine) in a modern restaurant with views across Windermere. While Lake Road Kitchen (creative cuisine)is where Nordic décor meets the Lake District at this intimate restaurant. And finally, the Old Stamp House (modern cuisine) sits in the middle of town run by two brothers with Ryan in the kitchen and Craig looking after service.
Forest Side (modern British) occupies a gothic mansion overlooking Grasmere.
Then in the lovely Gilpin Hotel in Bowness, ex-chef Ollie Bridgewater runs the kitchen of Source which was one of the forefront restaurants leading the foraging trend (modern cuisine).
The Heft (modern British) run by Kevin Tickle is located in a 17th Century Inn.
Then sitting in a country house and runnings as the Farlam Hall Hotel is Cedar Tree (modern cuisine).
And finally, Chris Archer’s restaurant occupies a 18c inn called Pentonbridge (modern British cuisine).
I DESERVE SOME PAMPERING…
That’s right, you deserve some pampering. Whether it’s been a crazy year, a celebration or just as an apology for somebody reading the map wrong yesterday turning the promised gentle 3 mile stroll into a triathlon. You deserve it….and if you don’t deserve it, then you will just have to treat yourself.
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The Falls Spa
www.lakedistrictspa.co.uk
017687-87704The Falls Spa at the Lodore Hotel is one of the Lakes premier spas and it’s only a stone’s throw away (1 mile back down the road towards Keswick, that’s it the big impressive **** hotel).
Form an orderly queue!
You can choose from dedicated treatments from their Elemis or Ishga range, or just enjoy the facilities for a few hours to splash around in the pools, the hot tub and showers, or enjoy their salt or aroma steam rooms, their Finnish sauna, heated loungers or their Champagne bar.
Do I really need to sell this anymore, contact details above.
EXHILARATING THRILLS & SOME FUN THINGS
Sometimes you need to get the blood pumping, to feel alive. Whether it’s getting out on the water, swimming in the untouched countryside or dangling off the side of a cliff, there are numerous ways you can test your mettle while in the Lakes.
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www.honister.com
017687-77230Located up the valley and at the top of the Honister Pass this working quarry offers an array of activities to keep everyone entertained, from mine tours, climb-the-mine, to more extreme outside events on their Via Ferrata and Infinity Bridge. If this isn’t for everyone they do have a gift shop and a café to kill a bit of time as you wonder if you will ever see your loved ones again. As mentioned this is a working quarry, and Lauren and her team are the ones who supplied the granite floor for the kitchen of Grange Bridge Cottage during her reservation so it matched the original granite in the snug.
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www.derwentwatermarina.co.uk
017687-72912Located on the other side of Derwent Lake (on the Keswick side), the marina offers an array of watercraft to rent to keep the whole family entertained. You could rent a rowboat or two, and head out for a picnic on the water as you explore the lake, or venture out on a paddle board, kayak or a canoe.
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www.kongadventures.com
017687 75907Located in Keswick and guarded by King Kong himself, they offer a great selection of indoor climbing wall experiences from novice and kids up to walls which will challenge the best experienced climbers. Kong Adventures also offers a variety of outside activities as well from climbing, abseiling, ghyll scrambling and canyoning.
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Or as I like to refer to it as….. just ‘swimming'. This sport is growing in the UK as people plunge themselves into our Nation’s lakes, rivers and along our coastlines year-round. Whether you kit yourself out in a wetsuit or just don your swimmers, why not try a little cold water therapy to get the blood pumping. Just remember to stay safe and swim within your abilities, and make sure you’re accompanied and people know where you are going (now I sound like your mother). You don’t have to go far if you just want a cold plunge, as there are a couple of deeper pools in the Derwent River right by GBC. Never enter the river if the river is running, but the first hole is by the bridge on the island side, and the second one is 3 houses upstream (access from the island opposite).
If the river is flowing or you want to swim some distance, head down to Derwent Water and to the Ashness Jetty which a great place to take a swim and to jump from the jetty (be mindful of the Keswick Launch’s ferry with comes to the jetty once an hour). The most famous wild swim in the Lakes has to be Black Moss Pot which is nearby as well. Park in Stonethwaite further up the Borrowdale Valley, and walk up and into Langtrath Valley. There you will find the small but dramatic gorge which offers a waterfall at one end, 20ft cliffs to leap from along it’s flanks and a shallower end of the pool to exit easily from. Pick your time to visit, knowing that during sunny weekends in summer and school holidays it attracts a crowd, so why not head there before breakfast and start the day with a buzz while having the place to yourself.
A STEADIER PACE…..OR A RAINY DAY
You don’t have to be dangling from a rope all the time, check out some of these suggestions and don’t forget to click on www.thelakedistrict.org/things-to-do for other ideas.
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Theater by the Lake is located on the shore of Derwent Water in Keswick and it brings a variety of shows, musicals, festive plays and events to the town throughout the whole year..
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When did you last go to the cinema- has it really been that long? Maybe try the Alambra in Keswick which has a 157 seat theater and second screen with only 28 seats! They are open every day of the year and show the latest block busters along with live streams of theatres, opera and ballets from elsewhere.
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Specializing in whiskies and gins, this award-winning distillery might be a great place to pick up that thank you present for somebody back at home, while rewarding yourself with the odd tipple as you learn about their processes.
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The Lakes has inspired an amazing array of influential writers over the years. Step foot in some of the houses where they lived, or the views and places which inspired them or their final resting places. More information can be found online www.lakedistrict.gov.uk
Who didn’t grow up with the adventures of Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddle Duck from the pen of Beatrix Potter (1866-1943)? Alfred Wainwright (1907-1991) love of the Lakes led him to devoted his life to mapping and detailing 214 fell tops which have become known as ‘Wainwrights’. While some set out to do all 214 peaks, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to accomplish at least one would it? Wainwright’s musings over the Jaws of Borrowdale (narrowing of the valley just above Grange which you can enjoy from the comfort of the hot tub- who said culture had to be enduring) described this area as the ‘loveliest square mile of Lakeland”.
The list goes on to include the romantics Like William Wordsworth(1770-1850) Britain’s most famous poet with works like “I wander’d lonely as a cloud…………..”. He also produced “The Guide through the District of the Lakes”in 1820 which sparked off the initial influx of tourism to the Lakes. For part of his life, he lived in Grasmere in Dove Cottage and in his later years at Rydal Mount.
John Ruskin (1819-1900) was a leading Victorian poet and philosopher, and Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834) was another famous poet and close friend of Wordsworth., Finally, Arthur Ransom who took inspiration from the Lakes for his children’s adventure books the “Swallows and Amazons” in which many understand Wild Cat Island to be Peel island in Coniston Water, and the Kanchenjunga to be based on the Old Man of Coniston,
SOMETHING FOR THE KIDS..(AND BIG KIDS)
A few things to keep the little ones entertained as well as the big ones, why should the kids have all the fun!
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www.alpacalyeverafter.co.uk
017687-78328The Wooley Army awaits you for a great adventure exploring the grounds of Lingholm Estate, or take a stroll in Whinlatter Forrest with your very own alpaca on a lead! Dog walking is so yesterday.
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www.lakedistrictwildlifepark.co.uk
01768-776239Who doesn’t like to see cool and interesting animals and throw in a bit of education during their talks and displays, and you are on to a winner. Whether it’s the eagles, owls or vultures taking centre stage or maybe the Zebras, meerkats or otters there is something for everyone.
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There is something lovely about cruising across the water and watching the World go by, and if the World is the beautiful mountain scenery of the Lakes then sign me up. Keswick Launches run vintage wooden boats around 7 jetties on Derwent Water. You can decide whether to cruise the whole lake in one go or use it as your mode of transport to go and buy some more milk from Booths Supermarket in Keswick, before cruising back to the other end of the lake. They are also available for private event hire.
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www.goape.co.uk/regions/lake-district-adventure
Whinlatter forest is the only mountain forest in the UK, and it looks down over Bassenthwaite Lake and Derwert Water with the market town of Keswick in between them. Here you will find walking trails, running trails and trails for kids like the Wildplay Trail which includes nine play zones along the way, and for the smaller kids there is the Fairy Kingdom Trail with it’s secret paths and hidden carvings.
The forest also contains a full-service bike shop called Cyclewise which rents bikes, so you can go out and navigate the various trails to explore further into the forest along gentle family trails, or hair-raising assault courses for the insane.
Go-Ape has brought it’s magic to Cumbria with it’s: Tree Top Adventures for kids (6yrs >) and adults, Tree Top Challenges, High Rope Course, zip lines and it’s bouncy nets suspended 10 metres above the forest floor.
For the bigger kids (over 44kg/7 stone) Go-Ape now offer all-terrain Segway Forest Tours which last about an hour as a fun way to take in the views.