Aim to achieve Cat Bells by wondering through Grange village and into Manesty Woods with the lake on your right, before cutting upwards and back along the mountain’s spine with terrific views ok Derwent water, Keswick and Borrowdale. It isn’t surprising that Catbells is a popular walk. Once at the top just follow the paths back into Grange.

Or head for Castle Crag which is the isolated peak sitting slightly further up the valley you can see from the back garden.

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 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. Or walk one way into Keswick, and you can cheat if you like by taking the 78 bus back to Grange from outside Booths supermarket

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 suitable for the whole family. At the end of the valley Haystacks which makes a great extension to this walk which looks back over Buttermere Lake. This was Wainwright favourite mountain, and his ashes were scattered here. If your feeling peckish at the end of the walk I would recommend popping into Syke Farm Tea Room as they have some lovely pies and treats.

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 is not keen on heights!

Or why not climb to the top of England and head for Scarfell Pike, 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.

www.honister.com
017687-77230

Located 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.

www.derwentwatermarina.co.uk  
017687-72912

Located 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 on the water. You could rent a row boat or two and head out to explore the lake and you could pack a picnic, or venture out on a paddle board, kayak or a canoe.

www.kongadventures.com 
017687 75907

Located 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 activities, abseiling, ghyll scrambling and canyoning.

Or as I like to refer to it as just ‘swimming'. This sport is growing in the UK as people plunge themselves into our Nations 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. 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).

The Lakes has inspired an amazing array of influential writers, 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 hard) 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…………..” 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 used the Lakes for many settlings of 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,

(in Keswick) which brings a variety of shows, musicals, festive plays and events to the town.

For what’s happening at the theatre go to

www.theatrebythelake.com

When did you last go to the cinema- has it really been that long? Maybe try the Alambra in Keswick

www.Keswickalambra.co.uk

with its 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.

The Falls Spa at the Ladore Hotel is one of the Lakes premier spas and it’s only a stone’s throw away, on the road back towards Keswick.

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 any more, expect from giving you the contact details?

www.lakedistrictspa.co.uk
017687-87704

Alpacaly Ever After
www.alpacalyeverafter.co.uk 
017687-78328  

The 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

The Lake District Wildlife Park
www.lakedistrictwildlifepark.co.uk
01768-776239

Who 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 a winning outing. Whether it’s the eagles, owls or vultures taking centre stage or maybe the Zebras, meerkats or otters there os something for everyone.

 All aboard!! Aye Aye Captain!
www.keswick-launch.co.uk 

There is something lovely about cruising across the water and watching the World go by, and if the World is beautiful mountain scenery of the Lakes then sign me up. Keswick Launches run a number of old lovely wooden boats around 7 jetties on Derwent Water so 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 available for private event hire as well.