Lake District
Serenity in the Lakes
Visiting the Lake District is the opposite of a City Break – exploring the myriad of snaky lakes by car or foot with villages few and far between. Activities are focused on fell walking, Beatrix Potter and soaking up the serenity in the Lake District.
We were based by Windermere for three full days which enabled us to cover part of the Lakes comfortably but not to explore the whole of Lake District. That depends on what you want to see. We opted for touring the Lakes. The Lakes are a magnet for cyclists and fell walkers. There are also oddities like a motor museum. For some, the attraction of basing oneself in Windermere is that it is the centre of Beatrix Potter and Wordsworth country.
We then climbed up to Honister Pass, one of the highest mountain passes in the Lake District. This was a short visit for us but a major attraction for people wishing to walk the Via Ferrata – climbing along the edge of the crag. You can also experience its original slate mine which dates back to the 17th century. For us it was to experience its dramatic views.
The next day we drove around Coniston Water, visiting Lakeland Motor Museum and Hawkshead. Coniston Water is known for its tranquil beauty and historical connections to figures like Donald Campbell for breaking the world speed record ,and John Ruskin. Hawkshead is undoubtedly attractive as a village, with its connections to Beatrix Potter, but it is a tourist trap, with expensive car parking.
Pros
- Best for fell walking
- Stunning scenery through the valleys and lakes
- Beatrix Potter story if that interests you
Cons
- Demands a lot of travelling around
- Aspects of the national park are overly touristy in how in pricing
- Few villages in the national park
Read the Full Review
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This brought back great memories of my own trip to the Lake District. The views from Honister Pass really are something else. I agree that Hawkshead feels a bit touristy, but it’s still worth a stop if you’re a Beatrix Potter fan. Thanks for the helpful tips!
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