Cumbria and the Lake District

Cumbria and the Lake District have, many believe, the greatest outdoors in the whole of England. The highest mountains, 16 crystal clear lakes, deeply wooded forests, heather moorland, deep sheltered valleys, and the sea to the west contribute to this viewpoint. No wonder, then, that the region has always attracted generations of famous visitors, particularly, writers and poets such as Beatrix Potter and William Wordsworth.
Today, this unique landscape remains the inspiration for a new generation of creative folk. Sculpture trails - including one of the best at Grizedale Forest tucked between Coniston Water and Lake Windermere - poetry programmes, street art, music and theatre contribute towards a really thriving cultural scene. Live music is played in many pubs and venues across the region, and Cumbria and the Lake District also host great festivals throughout the year from classical and rock music to folk, blues and jazz.

Some of England’s finest Michelin-starred chefs and restaurateurs have settled in the region too, helping its growing reputation for fine food, much of it locally sourced. The internationally famous Sharrow Bay Hotel on Lake Ullswater has been awarded a Michelin star for the last fourteen years and Rothay Manor at Ambleside has featured in the Good Food Guide for 40 uninterrupted years. It sources its food, wines and beers locally from Cumbrian farms and local butchers, its cheeses from Kendal, its beers from local breweries in Coniston and Staveley and its wine from Lakeland vintners. So if you have a special occasion to celebrate during your stay, neither of these nor many other wonderful hostelries will disappoint.

The region has a fascinating heritage, too. Its stone circles, Roman forts, abbeys and priories, centuries old churches and historic houses echo the past. The most important of all monuments in Cumbria, indeed the whole of England, is Hadrian's Wall. Built by the Romans, it stretches seventy-three miles from Wallsend near Newcastle, across the neck of England to Bowness-on-Solway in North West Cumbria, still standing as a reminder of the past glories of one of the world's greatest empires. You can see remains of the wall and its structure in Cumbria at Gilsland, Birdoswald Fort, Willowford Bridge, Banks Turrets and Pike Hill Signal Tower.

Perhaps lesser known is that part of Cumbria’s industrial heritage involves a once thriving gunpowder industry. English Heritage is currently working on investigating its physical remains studying hundreds of mineral mines and stone quarries from the mid-18th century when Cumbria was the centre for the manufacture of the explosive required by the mining and quarrying industries. Many of the original production sites still survive in varying states of preservation and offer a glimpse into the whole civilian gunpowder industry.

As you’d expect with all the beautiful lakes in the region, there are plenty of water-based activities to choose from and something that’s particularly special is a cruise on a traditional launch or steamer on the largest of them all – Lake Windermere. You can choose to board at Bowness, Ambleside or Lakeside and wherever you start the voyage will give you a sensory overload with magnificent views of mountain scenery, secluded bays and the many wooded islands. The cruisers travel the length of the lake, but you can break your journey along the way. If you stop at Bowness, regarded as the heart of the Lake District, you’ll find a holiday town with a wide choice of shops, restaurants and cafes and, a five minute stroll from the pier is the World of Beatrix Potter attraction.

Another stopping off point is Lakeside at the southernmost end of Windermere. This is home to the freshwater Lakes Aquarium which has the UK’s largest collection of freshwater fish as well as diving ducks and otters. Another attraction in the town is the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Steam Railway where you can climb aboard and chug along enjoying the river scenery of the Leven Valley. The third port of call is the famous Lakeland village of Ambleside which is set amongst breathtaking majestic mountains and gentle rolling fells. Many people choose to leave the cruise here and then return to their embarkation point on a later vessel.

There’s a wide choice of sports in the region. Aside from swimming and sailing in the clear waters, there are more challenging activities to be had including kayaking and kitesurfing and hot air ballooning. If you’re a serious cyclist then this part of the world is made for you as there are lots of challenging long-distance cycle routes as well as adrenaline-charged mountain bike trails. Walkers can head for the hills to enjoy fell walking, scrambling or rock-climbing. There’s also golf, freshwater and sea fishing and horse riding, too, so plenty to choose from for everyone.