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 spent a whole day on a ten Lakes tour with Mountain Goat tours. This was a packed tour with towns, villages, a ruins and a mine that made it much more than just a Lakes Tour. You can follow the route yourself but the driver was a well informed guide and knew the roads very well and takes the strain out of the driving. The scenery is packed with history – glaciers melted to create the lakes we enjoy today. The valleys and lakes take a ribbon shape that was created by the glaciers.
The tour started at Kirkstone Pass. It is the highest pass in the Lake District for cars, with breathtaking views. The pass is home to the historic Kirkstone Pass Inn, one of the highest pubs in England.
We passed by Ullswater, one of England’s most beautiful lakes, the second largest lake in the national park. It is low key compared to the commercialism of Windermere. What you get with Ullswater is the dramatic fells enveloping it. Nearby are Neolithic stone circles, suggesting ancient settlements nearby.
The Castlerigg Stone Circle is the most famous stone circle in the lakes and, dating back to around 3000BC, one of the oldest in England. The 38 stones are in a natural state in a circle unlike Stonehenge which were stood up in the early twentieth century. No one knows their purpose, possibly ceremonial. Dating back to around 3000 BC with views of the surrounding mountains, including Helvellyn and High Seat. This is short visit. No entry charge but no dedicated parking.
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[…] a ten Lakes tour with Mountain Goat Tours. This was a fully packed tour with towns, villages. After Part Three we moved on to Derwentwater, which was featured in the movie “Swallows and Amazons,” is known […]
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