Lake District – A Good Reason to Leave London

Last year I spent a few weeks in the Lake District and was taken back by how beautiful this area is. I was even more taken back by the fact that it took me nearly 40 years to visit this district! Now, I will tell you why you have to visit “the Lakes” too.

Located in the North West of England, the Lake District has to be one of the most beautiful areas of the UK.

You will find an abundance of natural scenery, mountainous landscape and quaint villages.

It is also the best place to go if you are looking for outdoor activities such as water sports, walking, biking, climbing or windsurfing.

Of course, the main attraction here are the lakes. The district is home to 16 major lakes (technically one, as the rest are meres or waters), with Lake Windermere being the largest with a length of 10.5 miles.

For me, the best part of visiting this area is the stunning scenery. Whilst I was there I could not stop gazing at the beautiful mountains and the sheer rock faces!

There is no such thing as bad weather,      just bad clothing.

Be prepared – this is one of the wettest areas of the UK! Don’t let that spoil your trip so be sure bring the waterproofs along. You will see that the weather doesn’t stop the locals hiking or biking, as they are properly dressed for the elements.

The weather in the Lake District can change rapidly, and bright sunshine can change to wind and rain within minutes.

Keswick

        Best Time To Visit

• To avoid crowds
  Autumn and early Spring

• For festivals
  During the Summer the Lake District holds a large number of festivals

• For scenery
  The Lake District comes alive in Spring with budding foliage, daffodils and with cute  lambs relaxing in the fields.

  Accomodation

  There is a wide range of accommodation options ranging from camping, hostels, bed & breakfast, cottages, to luxury hotels.

Places you must visit in the Lake District

Ambleside

Tourists flock to this area, but don’t let that put you off. There are many areas where you can enjoy the scenery away from the crowds. If you are not taking advantage of the many outdoor activities, you can shop for ornaments or art at one of the quaint souvenir stores lining the streets. This area is great to mountain bike, and if you haven’t brought yours along, you can rent one.  The best accommodation option are the guest houses.

Grasmere

My favourite village in the Lake District! It is located in a vale at the heart of the district. Set in a stunning area where steep crags and forested slopes rise sharply from the picturesque village. The No 1 thing to do here is indulge in Grasmere’s most famous commodity – Gingerbread!  Best place to stay is the wonderful YHA Youth Hostel.

 Kendal

This is quite a busy town that is famous for its mint cake. There is no shortage of beautiful scenery as the town is surrounded by hills. There are plenty of shops, tea rooms and eateries to keep you busy.

Kendal Lake District

 Keswick

This town is another one of my favorite areas in the Lake District. Keswick is situated on the Derwent water lake in the northern lakes area. Skiddaw, England’s fourth highest mountain, towers over the town providing a stunning setting.  Feeling Active? Walk up the fells, or walk the perimeter of Derwent Water Lake.  

On your not-so-active days you can take a cruise on the lake, visit the museum, or go on a mine tour.  Derwent water also offers excellent fishing opportunities.  The town provides numerous accommodation options including, B & B’s and a wonderful Youth Hostel.

 Windermere

Windermere is home to Lake Windermere which is the largest natural lake in England. This town is also very touristy but the attractions and scenery will make up for it. 

You can take advantage of the many water sports offered on the lake such as kayaking, waterskiing, taking a cruise or hopping on a motorboat. One of the best places to stay is the Youth hostel which is situated right on the lake.

Getting around

One word – buses! The Lake District has a great bus system, and cheap! You can travel to all the towns and villages by local bus. They are frequent and comfortable. Additionally there are plenty of taxis and a train that goes from Kendal to Windermere.

So next time you visit the UK, be sure that London is not the only place on your itinerary and visit this wonderful area of outstanding natural beauty!

Have you been to the Lake District?