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Holidays are times we have all come to expect and look forward to, welcome breaks
from our daily routines. The English Lake District is an excellent choice
in which to take such a break, whether it be for a brief weekend, or a
leisurely fortnight. For those of you who have a love of the outdoors,
it is an absolute paradise as there are countless walks amidst beautiful
and unspoilt scenery, boating on a number of lakes scattered about, riding,
cycling, golf and tennis. This is merely the beginning. There are stately
homes and gardens to visit, villages of great charm to explore, lovely
shops in which to browse or make that special purchase and a wide variety
of first class restaurants and pubs… it is all here, just waiting for
your arrival.
To help you enjoy your holiday we have listed below some of our favourite
tours that we can recommend:
A day of touring in the Northern Lake District
A day of touring in the Southern Lake District
A day of touring in the Northern Lake District
From Windermere village, drive north on the A591 past the villages of
Ambleside and Grasmere to Keswick, a scenic journey of about 20 miles
taking 35-40 minutes altogether.
Keswick
An interesting town worth exploring. If the time permits, a visit to the
Cumberland pencil museum should be included. It relates the story of pencils
through the ages and has on exhibit the world's longest pencil, at seven
feet. A place of interest for both adults and children. Opposite the museum
is a good spot for lunch at La Primavera Ristorante.
Drive to nearby Derwentwater Lake and Borrowdale valley.
Derwentwater
A beautiful lake just south of Keswick town centre. The lake itself can
be explored by launch from the lakeside. Alternatively, walk on just a
bit further south to Friar's Crag, where you'll find what John Ruskin
considered to be one of the finest views in Europe.
Borrowdale
Take the B5289 into the green and beautiful Borrowdale valley, stopping
at some of the villages/hamlets such as Grange, which look as though modern
times have somehow passed them by. Drive over the Honister Pass, where
the views below are truly spectacular. Carry on to Buttermere Lake, which
one can easily walk around in about 2 hours time. Finally, take a sharp
right at Buttermere village and drive back to Keswick.
A nice place to eat in Borrowdale is the Borrowdale Hotel, but make sure
you're good and hungry, as the portions can be large.
Drive along the A66 to Penrith and then take the A592 down to Ullswater.
Ullswater
Drive along the western shore of this 7-mile lake amongst yet more glorious
scenery, perhaps stopping near the bottom to view Aira Force, a 70-foot
high waterfall of some distinction. Continue to the Kirkstone pass and
then drop down to Windermere and back to Fir Trees.
A wonderful place to stop and have a proper English tea is the deservedly
famous Sharrow Bay Hotel on the north-eastern shore of Ullswater. Reservations
are essential.
back to touring menu
A day of touring in the South/Central Lakes
From Windermere village, drive north about 4 miles on the A591 toward
Ambleside. Shortly before reaching Ambleside, turn left at the sign reading
"Keswick, Hawkshead, Langdale." Turn left and keep going a short distance
until you reach a sign pointing to "Hawkshead." Turn left toward Hawkshead
and keep on this road until you see a sign to Tarn Hows. Follow this sign
to Tarn Hows lake and look for the car park on the far side.
Tarn Hows
A beautiful small lake in the mountains, reputed to be one of the most
photographed lakes in all of England. There is a footpath to follow and
you can easily walk around the entire lake in one hour, which is well
worth doing.
Take a short drive to the village of Hawkshead. Before going to Hawkshead
you might like to visit Brantwood House on the Western shores of Lake
Coniston. This was the home of John Ruskin in the late 1800's, the renowned
artist, writer, philosopher and champion of many social causes. The adjacent
café, "The Jumping Jenny", is an excellent choice for lunch or a snack.
Hawkshead
A lovely small village with Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter associations.
Stroll around leisurely. Visit the church on the hill - excellent views
of the countryside on a clear day. Stewardson's is a very good shop for
both women's and men's clothing. The Queen's Head is a superb pub for
lunch or a drink or two. Nearby, in the village of Near Sawrey, is Hill
Top, where Beatrix Potter lived. Her house is now a National Trust property
and one can go inside and have a look around. Closed Thursdays and Fridays
and during the winter. A good pub in between Hawkshead and Ambleside,
on a secluded crossroad, is the Drunken Duck.
Take a short drive to Skelwith Bridge to start the next activity.
Circular drive around Langdales
Drive from Skelwith Bridge to Elterwater to Chapel Stile to Great Langdale to Little Langdale and back to start. Narrow road with a gate or two to open, but magnificently wild scenery.
Drive north to Grasmere village, any route you prefer.
Grasmere
Pretty village in beautiful setting. William Wordsworth and family are buried in the church cemetery. Dove Cottage, where Wordsworth lived for a while, has been turned into an excellent museum, and is well worth a visit.
Drive south to Ambleside village on the A591. Consider wandering around
Ambleside before returning to Fir Trees.
back to touring menu
Fir Trees Guest House
Lake Road, Windermere, English Lake District, Cumbria LA23 2EQ
Telephone: +44 (0)15394 42272 - Fax: +44 (0)15394 42512
Email: enquiries@fir-trees.co.uk
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& Maintained by CTLD Design
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