| Great escapes: Lake District 1 |
| Lovely Lakes |
| It's no wonder Wordsworth made the Western Lakes his home;
with scenery like this, he'd never have been stuck for inspiration |
Last May the Lake District celebrated
50 years as a national park. Of course, the area itself is much, much older. In fact, it is some 10,000 years since gargantuan Ice Age glaciers scooped out the valleys in which most of the region's lakes now lie.
Probably the best way to enjoy Lakeland's remarkable scenery is to scamper up one of its many splendid peaks and relish the panoramic views for miles around. But if your hiking days are behind you, you can still enjoy some fabulous views from behind the wheel of a car. This way, you also get to see a lot more of the country's largest national park than you would by foot alone in the same amount of time.
But if you fancy a break from driving, leave the car at Keswick caravan site and wander down
to the town itself which has its
own attractions, all within easy walking distance.
1. Star cars
From Keswick campsite on foot, turn left into Crow Park Road, then right onto the main road (the A5271) and on through Keswick town centre. After some 400 metres you
will come across the Cars of the Stars Motor Museum.
Keswick's Cars of the Stars Motor Museum is a must-see. Despite its unimposing exterior, inside it's a real eye-opener: dozens of vehicles are set against the backdrop from the film or TV set in which they stole the limelight. There's a 1923 Model T Ford from the halcyon days of Laurel and Hardy, Del Boy's Reliant Regal van from the BBC's 'Only Fools and Horses' series and, perhaps most impressively, a number of cars from the James Bond movies.
The exhibition is open daily from Easter to New Year and during the February half-term: admission is £3 for adults, £2 for children. It takes a several hours to give this exhibition the time and interest it deserves. All of which prepares you nicely for a drive in your own car.
Return to the campsite, and your car. Zero the trip meter. Return to the A5271, turning left, then left onto the B5289 which joins the A66 eastbound. At 1.9 miles, turn left onto the B5292. At 9.9 miles turn left again, onto the B5289.
This route becomes one of the most awe-inspiring drives the Lake District has to offer. The road skirts the two lakes in Buttermere Fell: first the larger Crummock Water; then shortly after, Buttermere. Dramatic scree-slopes fall away from the western shore of Crummock Water. Scenic crags line Buttermere so be sure to take plenty of breaks to admire the splendid backdrop.
Continuing along the B5289, the road climbs steeply up the Honister Pass, then descends to Borrowdale and back to Keswick by 25.3 miles. Back at the A5271 turn right onto Penrith Road which meets the southbound A591 at 26.5 miles. From here, head south for Grasmere on the A591.
2. Lunch stop
At 38 miles, just before you arrive in Grasmere, is the Traveller's Rest, an ideal place to have a bite to eat, with picnic tables in the garden from which you can survey the surrounding scenery. Serving food from 12am to 9pm from Easter to the end of October (no food from 3-6pm outside this period), you can enjoy tasty
home-made soup from £2.95, a range of hot and cold starters from £3.45-£3.95, and choose from eight sandwich fillings from £3-4.
Real-ale lovers are spoilt for choice: take your pick from the beers on handpump that include Jennings Bitter, Cumberland, Sneck Lifter, Marstons Pedigree and Abbot Ale.
• Continue to Grasmere.
3. Wordsworth's Grasmere
From 1799 to 1808 Grasmere was home and inspiration to William Wordsworth, perhaps the most celebrated romantic poet in English literature. There is no doubt about his profound feelings for the place: “Grasmere,” he wrote, “is the loveliest spot that man hath ever found.” Praise indeed.
The town is a delight, and it is worth parking in the car park on arrival and taking a stroll down to Grasmere Lake. August visitors can enjoy Grasmere Sports, which features wrestling and mountain bike competitions as well as hound and fell racing.
4. Ambling through Ambleside
Zero your car's trip meter and
continue along the A591 for Ambleside, entering the town at 2.2 miles. Park in the Rydal Road car park (which will be on your right).
Ambleside is another of Lakeland's major towns. Situated at the
northern tip of Lake Windermere, it is the ideal place to shop for souvenirs, Kendal Mint Cake and any other outdoors paraphernalia you need.
The most popular attraction in Ambleside is Bridge House, built on a little bridge that crosses the beck of Stock Ghyll. Find it on the right as you walk down the main road towards the centre of town. It's now a National Trust shop and information centre.
5. Windermere & Beatrix Potter
Zero the trip meter and continue on the A59 for Windermere, turning
right at the traffic island at 5.1 miles.
For exploring the town on foot use the car parks on Rayrigg Rd, or at the lakeside.
Bowness-on-Windermere and Windermere are busy towns, often choked with traffic in peak season. But in both you'll find decent eateries and shops selling guide books to the Lakes.
A wander to the waterfront at Bowness will be rewarded with a gaggle of swans and ducks for the kids to feed. Then, of course, there's The World of Beatrix Potter at the foot of Bowness Hill. Alternatively, take your pick from the range of lake cruises on offer.
6. Aira Force falls
Zero the trip meter. Drive back to the traffic island (0.5 miles) and take the A592, which becomes the Kirkstone Pass. Aira Force is at 14.8 miles.
Aira Force is a series of splendid waterfalls which empty into a wooded gorge on the western shore of Ullswater. They are named after the largest fall, which plummets 70 ft into its rock pool.
The short, circular walk up to Aira Force from the car park
(cost: £2) is gentle and weaves alongside a small stream, following the left-hand side of Aira Beck. The footpaths are easy to follow. There's a well-constructed bridge across Aira Beck, and viewing
platforms at the foot of the falls.
• Return to your campsite: zero the trip meter, turn right out of the car park and right onto the A5901. At 66.2 miles turn left onto the A66 for Keswick which you'll reach at 73.5 miles.
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Distance 73.5 miles
Time Eight hours
Start and finish Keswick Camping and Caravanning Club Site
Suitable for All the family
Refreshments
Traveller's Rest
Tel 01539 435604
Attractions
Cars of the Stars Motor Museum
Tel 01768 773757
Bridge House
Tel 01539 432582
The World of Beatrix Potter
Tel 01539 488444
Aira Force
Tel 01768 867466
Tourist information
Ambleside Tel 01539 432582
Windermere and Bowness-on-Windermere
Tel 01539 4 42895
Keswick Tel 01768 772645
Grasmere Tel 01539 435245
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