What to do in the Lake District
12th October 2015
There’s so much to see and do in the Lake District, you could stay there for weeks and not see all that this wonderful area has to offer. It’s a nature lover’s paradise, so if you are armed with your walking shoes and your waterproof jacket (just in case), you are ready to explore the region that holds so much natural beauty. Here are some recommendations:-
Tarn Hows and Coniston Water
Tarn Hows is one of the more rewarding beauty spots in the Lake District. It’s an area with a charming one and a half mile walk around it, so it’s particularly suitable for those with very young children or for people in a wheelchair.
For those looking for a longer adventure, you can walk or cycle to Tarn Hows from nearby Coniston Water. Coniston Water is the third largest lake in the Lake District and is also the setting of one of my favourite childhood stories, Swallows and Amazons.
Between March and November, a Victorian Steam Yacht Gondola on Coniston Water offers visitors a chance to take in the amazing views whilst reclining on an opulent, renovated classic. You can hire boats, electric bikes and conventional bikes in Coniston village, so you can get out and about and see the scenery for yourself.
Kendal
Kendal is a town famous for its Mint Cake. For those of you who don’t know, Kendal Mint Cake isn’t a cake at all. It’s a high-energy glucose-based sweet which is popular with walkers and climbers. Kendal is located about 8 miles away from Lake Windermere and is a picturesque market town. The town has some lovely independent shops and the River Kent runs right through the heart of it. It’s perfect for a stroll down the river.
Kendal’s monthly ‘Farmers Market’ has grown over the years and is considered one of the best farmers markets in the north-west. For location details and dates, view the Kendal Farmers’ Market website
Windermere
There’s a lot to do at Lake Windermere. Of course you can enjoy the views of England’s largest lake and explore the surrounding areas, but there’s much more here too. There’s an aquarium, a scenic railway and of course the famous World of Beatrix Potter, and the flagship store of Lakeland is located next to Windermere train station.
For outdoor activities, there’s boating, abseiling, climbing, balloon flights, horse-riding, cycling and lots more.
I thoroughly recommend a cruise on Lake Windermere. If you want to combine a day out with a boat trip, see options on the Windermere Lake Cruises website
Ulverston
The market town of Ulverston is most famous for being the birth place of Stan Laurel and the town houses a Laurel and Hardy museum. Ulverston is also known as being a festival town, playing host to several different festivals each year. They also have a weekly market on a Thursday, and there’s lots of small independent shops and local eateries.
After you’ve walked around the town, there’s a lovely two and a half mile long walk alongside the canal.
More
For further ideas on what to do in Cumbria, read more about the Lake District