Lakes walking recommendation

[jelly15]

Less than two weeks to my annual two weeks hols . DH and I are staying near Windemere and are keen walkers. I know there are lots of websites and books on walking in the Lakes but I would appriciate personal recommendations and of places to visit.

[rickysmiths]

Beatrix Potter's house Hill Top Near Sawrey

http://www.visitcumbria.com/amb/hill-top.htm


Walk to Lakelands Head Office store by the station in Windemere where you used to be able to get a lovely meal sitting overlooking the lake.

http://www.lakeland.co.uk/StoreDetai...istanceValue=0

[bunyip]

Ambleside is a huge draw for walkers with the biggest collection of outdoor activities shops I ever saw.

I'd avoid Bowness: tourist hell.

Take a boat trip. But if you just need to cross Lake Windermere, rather than take a leisurely cruise, then the car chain ferry is far quicker and cheaper.

Books - I'm told that anything by A Wainwright is still the best.

[nannymcflea]

It depends on how high/far you want to walk and weather conditions.

There's a lovely walk to Gummers How. Starts near Fell Foot and has spectacular views over Windermere. Other side of Windermere is a lovely walk through Claife Heights to Hawkshead. For the more adventurous there's Helvelyn, crossing Striding Edge is fantastic, but I'd only do this in nice weather.

A little further afield is The Howgills, less people but lovely walks.

We still love to do a ferry journey on Windermere. Hire a boat (the electric ones from Windermere Quays). The Puzzling Place in Keswick is good to kill an hour or so on a rainy day.

A drive over Hardnott Pass is well worth it, Muncaster Castle is nearby. A trip on La'al Ratty at Ravenstone is nice.

Honister Slate Mine is great. Brockhole visitors centre, near Windermere.

Grizedale Forest Park, they have Go Ape there if you're brave! Whinlatter, near Keswick has Go Ape too and a good walk to the top of the hill.

Trotters World, near Keswick. South Lakes Wildlife Park, near Barrow.

Kendal is good for Clarks shoe factory, and is a lovely little town for a potter around.

Well, I hope that helps a little. Have a lovely time in our wet county!

[jelly15]

Thanks all, pleanty to choose from . I have never been to the Lake District before and I am hoping the weather will clear up a little .

[rickysmiths]

The is the only pencil museum in the world in Keswick lots of cheap pencils and colouring pencils in the shop.

http://www.pencilmuseum.co.uk/

Enjoyed by the whole family.

http://www.honister.com/

I have a limp of slate sitting on my sideboard from here. We use it as a cheese board.

http://www.visitcumbria.com/wc/hardknott-pass.htm

This is amazing but you need nerves of steel to drive it!! The Roman Fort is interesting and worth walking up to the views are amazing.

Wast Water is amazing as well.

http://www.dalesman.co.uk/walks/wastwater.htm

http://www.wasdaleweb.co.uk/gentlewalks.html

http://www.wasdaleweb.co.uk/gentlewalks.html There is a good video od a walk to and around the lake here.

We love the Lakes and have stayed in several of the Youth Hostels there.

[nannymcflea]

http://www.visitcumbria.com/wc/hardknott-pass.htm

This is amazing but you need nerves of steel to drive it!! The Roman Fort is interesting and worth walking up to the views are amazing.

Lol, this used to be a bus route, albeit a small bus. I guess the hills are something you get used to driving. We've done this in a 2cv, strapped a video to the roof. (tourists do tend to panic and stop, what you need to do is drive it like a rally stage!)

Kirkstone Pass and The Struggle are also worth a drive. Nice pub at the top, and also a nice walk if you go through the car park and up the fell.

I hope the weather picks up so everyone can enjoy and spend lots of money in Cumbria

P.S...the railway is Ravenglass to Eskdale, not Ravenstone...DUH!

[Shivvie]

Rydal Water is beautiful too and you can walk all the way around. Next to it is Grasmere which is also beautiful. Not far from where you're staying and well worth a visit .

Ooh, and also Ashness Bridge and Surprise View near Keswick - beautiful!