I absolutely love the Lake District - I don't live too far away (about an hour and a half), so have the odd (long) day trips there, but have also holidayed for the odd week with family staying at the fantastic White Cross Bay - which I can highly recommend if you are thinking about visiting the Lake District (see my review on South Lakeland Parks - www.southlakelandparks.co.uk).
The Lake District is England's largest National park and includes Scafell Pick, Keswick and Windermere. The setting of the Lakes is Stunningly Beautiful but there is also a large cultural heritage there. There are traditional food such as the Cumberland sausage and Kendal mint cake, old traditions such as hound trailing and
rush-bearing and it was the home of my many of our nation's favourite writers: William Wordsworth, Beatrix Potter and the creator of Postman Pat - John Cunliffe.
The cool, clear Lake Windermere is unbeatable! As well as being amazing scenery that is hard to beat, the lake is also important for the natural habitats of the water, the Crayfish, Schelly and Charr. Lake Windermere is a nutrient rich lake which helps them survive.
As well as the beautiful waters, Windermere also provides many natural woodland walks, which provide homes for the many plants and animals in the area. This mix of Lakes, Forest, farmland, fells and human activity is what makes the Lakes so special.
There is so much to do in the Lake District, it has the highest concentration of outdoor activity centres in the UK. It is the place to be find mountaineering and fell walking. There is also a wide number of recreational walks from Beatrix Potter landmarks walk to Wordworth's "Guide to the Lakes". The peace and tranquillity that can be found on these walks is fantastic. There is an enormous sense of space and freedom.
The historical information you can gather along the way is also very interesting, did you know that there have been people in the Lake District since the last ice age, this is reflected in the landscape with traces of the prehistoric and medieval field systems.
There are so many different things to do in the Lake District, which along with the Scenery is why I love it - you are never bored and as someone who likes to be on the go all the time, this is perfect! With so much space it is possible to walk, cycle or ride to your heart's content.
Our littlest one was just turned 2 (so was still in a buggy some of the time - particulary on long walks) when we stayed at the Lake District, and there were still several "Miles Without Stiles" walks, including: Friar's Crag, Keswick, which is a route alongside Derwentwater with amazing views of the central mountains, lake shoreline and woods. And Tarn Hows, which is a circular walk round a beautiful tarn with views of mountains and lots of woods for the kids to play in. If that is not what you fancy then there are also a wide array of tourist attractionsto see:
Lakes Aquarium at Lakeside - We went and it only took us about an hour and a half to get round it, but for the littler ones it kept there interest and it was really interesting - afterwards you can sit by the Lake and have an Ice Cream.
Blackwell - the Arts and Craft House near Bowness-on-Windermere
Fell Foot Park near Newby Bridge - This is a great place for a Picnic.
Lakeland Limited next to Windermere railway station
Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway from Lakeside
Old Laundry Theatre
Stott Park Bobbin Mill
Windermere Steamboat Museum
Winderemere Lake Cruises - This was a lovely day out, it is colder then I expected so take a cardigan but very enjoyable.
World of Beatrix Potter - I loved it here, the kids loved it here - interesting, engaging, just great!
There is also: abseiling, rock climbing, archery, balloon flights, boating, a cinema, cycling, golf, crazy golf and pitch and putt, horse riding, houndtrailing, orienteering, rowing, sailing, steam railway, and swimming. As you can see we all thoroughly enjoyed our holidays (and days) in the Lake District. We will all definitely be returning and high recommend it as a UK destination!
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Advantages: Very Relaxing, Gorgeous Setting Disadvantages: Very Expensive - initially for accomodation and then once inside the park for activities, no nightlife
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