The beautiful Lake District, UK

The beautiful Lake District, UK

 

 

It’s our second time in Keswick, and once again, we get lost trying to find the lake side. It’s not that difficult, really. It’s a small town. But as we follow another car making the same mistake as we did, it’s clear that it is not just us who are unable to read their road signs. Oh, well, half-an-hour later we are finally there. Keswick and it’s lakeside is a lovely place. Admittedly, not one of my favourites in Lake District – an area in northern England that is just full of beautiful vistas around every corner. But it’s our first stop this time since we are staying in a log cabin just 30 minute drive away.

I am tempted to take a boat ride over the lake, it looks like a nice way to spend a mid-morning. Nevertheless, I know that my 3-year-old daughter is going to be hard work on the boat where she can’t run around and use her energy so, with a sigh, I have to give that idea up.

Luckily, there are other activities that will keep the children occupied: walking around the lakeside, running around the Castlerigg Stone Circle, Dinosaur Museum and nearby Bowder Stone.

Castlerigg Stone Circle might not be as impressive or famous as Stonehenge, however the setting is far superior. It has been sitting on hill overlooking dramatic hills and crags for five thousand years, and there is something magical about it, especially if you manage to get there when no one else is around. The air itself seems to be alive and it is all too easy to imagine pagan rituals being performed and all too easy to understand why. Oh, and unlike the Stonehenge, it’s free.

Bowder Stone, however, is worth a visit due to its huge size and the ladder that lets you climb on top of this 9 m high stone, perched precariously on its side, looking like it might topple over any minute.

The most popular area in Lake District is around Lake Windermere – the largest lake in England. When came here the first time that was also our first stop. Namely, its visitor centre, which is great not just for information but also for a walk around its lovely gardens and down to the lake itself and its jetty from which there are fabulous views over the surrounding lake and hills. Do be warned, that it is very windy as soon as you step onto the jetty, even if it appears calm on land.

Wray Castle, on the other side of the lake, was our second stop. It’s not a real castle, however, it was only built in the 1840s, but that doesn’t diminish it’s beauty. Unfortunately, when we got there the castle itself was closed. However, we could still walk around the outside, appreciating its stunning architecture and the beautiful views from its grounds.

The biggest attraction for me in Lake District are its many mountain passes. Alright, they are not as high or as stunning as some other ones that I have been to. But what they do have is that they feel wild and raw and real (admittedly, we drove on them with only few other tourists around). There is something that feels almost sinister about driving on the windy narrow roads with dark hills looming above, and fallen rocks, small and big scattered everywhere. Honister pass, that connects Borrowdale and Buttermere valleys also has a slate mine on its top where guided tours going into its depths are available.

Our rented chalet was also close to, in my opinion, the most beautiful of Lake District’s lakes – Ullswater. Walking along its shores or just sitting down and enjoying the view with a pint of beer is a lovely way to spend an afternoon. Close by is the Aira Force waterfall, where after a 10 minute walk from the car park you reach this 22m high waterfall. It’s the sound that you notice first. I love that about waterfalls, that roar that you hear. The more volume of water it carries, the louder and more powerful the roar is. I guess the water volume changes in Aira Force depending on the rainfall, since the first time I came here, it was strong and impressive, the second time – much less so. Nevertheless, it is still worthwhile a visit no matter the rainfall.

Wildlife also can’t be discounted. On our first trip there, we saw the red deer on our way out of Lakes Aquarium, and on the second time we saw the rare red squirrels which were running around our chalet each morning. Red squirrels are the only native squirrels in Britain, their numbers and habitat vastly reduced in size, in no small part due to the invasive North American grey squirrels.

I find Lake District to be a magical place, full of wonderful and dramatic views around every corner. I can’t wait to do a proper hiking holiday there once my daughter is a bit older (and does not asked to be carried after five minutes of walking) J .