Things to do
Windermere Lake Cruises
Lakeside, Bowness and Ambleside
T: 015394 43360; windermere-lakecruises.co.uk
The best way to enjoy the beauty of Lake Windermere is from the water, with regular sailings up and down its length every day throughout the year.
Ullswater ‘Steamers’
Ullswater
T: 017684 82229; ullswater-steamers.co.uk
Taking one of the atmospheric old lake steamers on Ullswater is not only a joy in itself, it’s a great way to access some lovely and not too taxing walks, including the popular lakeshore walk to Patterdale.
Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway
Ravenglass CA18 1SW
T: 01229 717171; ravenglass-railway.co.uk
Known affectionately as ‘la’al Ratty’, this is the oldest narrow-gauge railway in England. Originally built in 1875 to carry iron ore, it now provides an entertaining seven mile, 40-minute steam train journey that winds its way through the beautiful forests and fields of lower Eskdale to Ravenglass on the Cumbrian coast.
Water Walking
Brundholme Road, Keswick CA12 4NL
T: 017687 75687; keswickadventurecentre.co.uk
Yes, you can truly walk on water without getting wet in these bizarre see-through plastic balls that allow you to wobble your way across the surface of Derwentwater like a demented hamster in a wheel. What it lacks in decorum it makes up for in fun.
Via Ferrata
Honister Slate Mine, Borrowdale, Keswick, CA12 5XN
T: 017687 77230; honister-slate-mine.co.uk/via_ferrata.asp
Altitude = adrenaline and you’ll get high in more ways than one on this ‘iron road’ up the mountainside. A zip wire and harness mean you can follow the practically vertical old slate miners trail in safety.
Grizedale Forest Cycling
Grizedale Visitor Centre, Hawkshead LA22 0QJ
T: 01229 860369; grizedalemountainbikes.co.uk
The wooded flanks of the Furness Fells are laced by a myriad of forest roads and tracks and make for ideal cycling territory. You can hire a mountain bike for a full or half day and pedal your way to some sublime views along Lake Coniston.
Greystoke Castle
Greystoke, Penrith CA11 0TG
T: 017684 83722; greystoke.com
The immense grounds of the stately pile that was once the ancestral home of Tarzan, King of the Jungle, is now a centre for training in country sports and pursuits. Learn the arts of falconry, clay-pigeon shooting and archery or indulge in the slightly-less rural pastime of off-road driving.
Sunsoar Paragliding
Mallerstang, Kirkby Stephen CA17 4JT
T: 0845 220 8088; sunsoar-paragliding.com
Try out this exhilarating sport at one of the North of England’s only training centres. By the end of the day you’ll be gliding with confidence above the glorious Eden Valley on the Cumbria/Yorkshire Dales border.
Pony Trekking
Limefitt Park, Troutbeck LA23 1NT
T: 015394 31999; lakelandponytrekking.co.uk
The rugged and inspiring Troutbeck Valley is the route of the old coach road from Windermere to Penrith and makes for great riding country. If you’re a beginner you can simply explore the gentle lower reaches of the valley or the more experienced can head up to the high fells on tough Lakeland ponies.
Hawkshead Trout Farm
Boat House, Ridding Wood, Hawkshead LA22 0QF
T: 015394 36541; hawksheadtrout.co.uk
Discover how much better fish tastes if you’ve caught it yourself with a range of courses in the mysterious art of fly fishing on the small but beautifully formed Esthwaite Lake, handily located just south of Hawkshead.
The No.79 bus ride in Borrowdale
Reckoned to be one of the UK’s most scenic bus rides, the ‘Borrowdale Rambler’ runs along the B5289, down the side of Derwentwater and through the dramatic valley of Borrowdale, stopping at various waterfalls, fells and hamlets along the way.
Ruskin’s View Kirkby Lonsdale
The discerning Victorian thinker was so captivated by this spot overlooking the River Lune that he described it as ‘one of the loveliest scenes in England’. Admired by Wordsworth and Constable too, it was also the subject of a JMW Turner painting.
Castlerigg Stone Circle
Just outside Keswick. Even though it is dwarfed by the surrounding mighty peaks of Skiddaw, Helvellyn and Blencathra, this 5,000-year-old circle of 48 craggy standing stones has an awesome presence and dignity.
Sheepfolds
Various locations across Cumbria
sheepfoldscumbria.co.uk
Andy Goldsworthy has made his name creating art out of found objects in natural environments. This series of 46 installations was created as part of a seven-year project to bring to life a number of derelict sheepfolds across the Cumbrian countryside. GPS coordinates and directions to all the folds are listed on the website.
Aira Force
Ullswater
Force is the Cumbrian name for waterfall and you’re unlikely to see a prettier one than Aira, sparkling and tumbling its way down a 70ft drop through craggy Lakeland slate. Take in the view from the stone bridges spanning the top and bottom of the drop, but get there early or late to avoid the crowds.
Hadrian’s Wall
East of Carlisle
T: 01434 609700; hadrians-wall.org
This UNESCO world heritage site is the most visited attraction in the north of England. From Carlisle across the border into Northumberland, there are places where you can walk parts of the wall, with the Birdoswald Fort and visitor centre near Brampton one of the best places to get the historic low-down.
Hardknott Pass
Duddon Valley to Eskdale
Give your gear box a work out as you test your mettle on one of Britain’s steepest roads. Rising to 1,291 feet with a gradient of 1 in 3 in places, the hairpin bends of this narrow winding road will reward you with some stunning views across the flanks of the fells to the Isle of Man beyond.
Gummer’s How
Nr. Newby Bridge
A short and easy walk up to this viewpoint at the southern tip of Lake Windermere will reward you with what is arguably the best panoramic view in southern Lakeland. As well as a belter of a view up Windermere itself, you can see across to the Coniston and central fells, as well as the broad panorama of Morecambe Bay in the distance.
Grizedale Forest Park
Grizedale. Hawkshead LA22 0QJ
T: 01229 860010; forestry.gov.uk/grizedale
Situated between Coniston and Hawkshead, this beautiful forest hides over 80 works of art and sculpture scattered through the woodland. There’s a new visitor centre to get all the info from before you head out, plus walking and cycling routes with beautiful views and plenty of arty pit stops.
High Head Sculpture Valley
High Head Farm, Ivegill, Carlisle CA4 0PJ
T: 01697 473552; highheadsculpturevalley.co.uk
Situated between Coniston and Hawkshead, this beautiful forest hides over 80 works of art and sculpture scattered through the woodland. There’s a new visitor centre to get all the info from before you head out, plus walking and cycling routes with beautiful views and plenty of arty pit stops.
