Lake District Experience Required.

[bJN]

Right-O.

Found out the dates my other half is back from Uni over the Easter period (18th March through to 27th April - it's all-right for some) and I've managed to score a week or so off from work (21st March through to the 27th).

What I'm really looking for is some solid advice from people that have first hand experience with the Lake District. I was originally going to do a small trip round either Ireland or Poland, but looking at the financial situation both have lost a bit of their appeal; and we've both decided on the Lake District

Are there any areas that are a must see / must avoid? How long would you recommend going for?

The idea she has come up with is staying in (a) Youth Hostel(s), which is something she's done before many years ago when her family has been there. Personally I'd probably rather stay in a nice B&B or something of similar ilk, but we're going to aim for a fairly cheap trip away this time so we can do something a bit more extravagant in the Summer months.

It's a fairly long way to get there, so would most certainly drive there, unless anyone has any other suggestions? I was thinking of bringing my bike as well, but thinking about it I might as well just save the hassle and rent one whilst up there?

Thoughts and advice would be most appreciated

 

[Benihana]

Just go for a hostel, make sure you don't spend any time there! Should all be outside activites, and hostel is just a bed to come back to.

I've been to a few places up there and I think its pretty hard to go wrong!

 

[Lakeland]

Personally wouldn't use youth hostles unless you and the mrs are hardcore, if you want a holiday you might as well pay a bit extra and get somewhere of your own to sleep.

Depends how many times you plan on going for a ride on the bikes, if it's just going to be a one off then yeah just rent, if it's going to be a good few rides out it will start to get expensive so take your own.

Do you have anywhere in mind?

 

[Fusion]

I'd recommend the YHA in Ambleside if you go down the hostel route. Ambleside is a lovely little town- some good restaurants and decent pubs plus great views over Lake Windermere. Get yourself the Wainwright books and get walking! Helvellyn, Scafell Pike, Great Gable, all the classic Lakes peaks are worth bagging.

 

[bJN]

Personally wouldn't use youth hostles unless you and the mrs are hardcore, if you want a holiday you might as well pay a bit extra and get somewhere of your own to sleep.

Depends how many times you plan on going for a ride on the bikes, if it's just going to be a one off then yeah just rent, if it's going to be a good few rides out it will start to get expensive so take your own.

Do you have anywhere in mind?

I was thinking that about the bikes, but to be honest mine has certainly seen better days and I'm pretty sure she got rid of hers when she left for Uni!

With regards to places, in my mind the Lake District is literally a blank canvas - there's some hills I hear, and a lake or two?

Missus stayed in Windermere, visited Ambleside and Derwent Water as far as she can remember. Ideally I just want a place that could be summed up as pretty awesome.

She's up in York for Uni at the moment so every three weeks I go up for the weekend, and two weeks before when this trip is planned I'm going to drive up to York and we'll do some of the Moors as well as sort of a "taster" as she hasn't been there yet and it's certainly somewhere I'd love to go!

With regards to the accommodation, I do feel pretty snobby and would rather stay in somewhere like a B&B or hotel, but that's simply because it's all I'm used to - the only holiday I've ever taken in England was supposed to be 5 days camping in Cheddar Gorge and we came home after 1 night...

 

[JBuk]

Will you be driving?

 

[bJN]

Will you be driving?

As I mentioned in my first post, I most likely will be unless anyone could suggest a better alternative - so take it as a yes

Which just made me think - can I leave my car at, say, a hostel and then just go off walking all the rest of the time?

 

[Fusion]

Which just made me think - can I leave my car at, say, a hostel and then just go off walking all the rest of the time?

Yes, but if you're taking on the big peaks you'll probably want to drive closer to them (the Lake District is a big area!).

 

[JBuk]

As I mentioned in my first post, I most likely will be unless anyone could suggest a better alternative - so take it as a yes

Which just made me think - can I leave my car at, say, a hostel and then just go off walking all the rest of the time?

I'd find a nice cheap B&B and use it as a base to visit other areas, you might need to stay in a less popular place to get a cheaper b&b , I've stayed in the Dun Horse in Kendal (it's a pub with b&b) , it's basic but cheap (or was)

there's loads of beautiful areas to visit, some of my favourites are:

Glenridding, Ullswater
Rannerdale fells, Crummock (there's also a nice little pub at Lorton)
Cockermouth and the sourrouning area
Wastwater
aira force waterfall

 

[Stupot_]

I spent a week in a cottage in the Grange, Dorrowdale. There's a B&B there. It's right in the thick of things so you can walk from your accomodation without needing to get in the car. Not far from Keswick too which is worth a visit.

Lots of great walks in that area, couldn't remember the names unless I got the OS map out, but the honister pass is pretty cool to drive along. We parked at the mine there and spent a day walking in that area, you get some incredible views out to sea. Lots of low flying jets around too..

But yeh... Don't think you can go wrong tbh. I'd find somewhere with a nice pub you can hole down in though.

 

[Meridian]

With regards to places, in my mind the Lake District is literally a blank canvas - there's some hills I hear, and a lake or two?

That help?



M

 

[bJN]

>snip<

>snip<


That help?



M

Pretty much

 

[JBuk]

this will have you positively drooling

how about a walk up Helvellyn

or Saddleback

(those little dots on the left of the ridge are people)

 

[~>Dg<~]

JBuk been up those myself very good

we always used to stop at ulswater pooley bridge campsite. quite nice well kept and quite reasonable priced. also a good place to visit all areas around. windermere is good kendal ,grassmere , keswick , loads of good scenary places and things to do. mountain bikes even decent ones arnt to dear to rent .

 

[Kutter]

we used to stay at one hostel on friday night, walk to other hostel on sat, walk back to original hostel via a different route on sunday to get the car.

Have to make sure both hostels are close to pubs for full enjoyment though

 

[Bumhucker]

I would prefer to stay in B&Bs and go for a shorter time than hostels. Hostels are fine when you're with your mates but different people = different needs

As for location, you can't go wrong. It's one of the most beautiful places I've been to although I've been lucky with the weather most times I've been up. As you're taking a car you're a lot more flexible about where you can travel in a day so location of B&B isn't too important.

I would look to go on a walk around a lake during one day and along a ridge on another. Derwent water is a nice lake to walk around. It's also got a scenic ridge walk down the west side of it. And it's right below Keswick so if you fancy wandering around a town during the evening, finding a nice restaurant or pub it's ideal.

 

[_Gizka_]

Wast water is the bomb, like seriously it is fantastic, as is anywhere around Derwent water. Derwent water has a lot of available options for canoeing and the like to my knowledge. Places like Bowness, Windermere and around that area are bound to be full of tourists!

 

[mrochester]

Keswick, Glenridding, Grasmere and Ambleside are probably the best places to consider staying.

 

[Deleted member 66701]

I've stayed at Storrs Gatehouse too many times to remember - I highly reconmend it. Great if you want to concentrate your stay around Windermere:-

http://www.storrsgatehouse.co.uk/

If that's a bit pricey for you try the ODG - a bit out in the sticks but excellent for walking and the bar has stayed open way past closing time on a fair few occasions I've been there! Good bus service to Ambleside as well.

http://www.odg.co.uk/home/index.cfm?id=1

Keswick is a nice play to stay as well but I can't help with hotels there as I've only ever camped up that end of the Lakes.

 

[Badgi]

Last time I went to Lake district I stayed at Greenhowe caravan park, it's not far from Ambleside, if you're driving. Plus there is a couple of nice pubs 10-15 minute walk up the road.

Place was reasonably priced and accomodation wasn't too bad either, you get what you pay for I guess.

I would definitely suggest taking a car, as others have said, the walks, although there are plenty, usually start in the middle of no where.

Edit: Hope you or your other half aren't scared of sheep. There were a few times we had to get out the car and move them as they do seem to like sitting in the middle of the road.