The Lake District
The combination of the last of the summer sunshine and the early signs of autumn – green leaves become infused with shades of orange and yellow – along with the huge areas of wide open space and still water makes the Lake District our must see destination this month. Follow the links below for more information on places to visit, places to stay, food and drink, plus a range of activities that you could try out in this beautiful part of the country.
Places to visit
Unsurprisingly there are some really charming villages and towns in the Lake District. Blessed with beautiful scenery Ambleside, set at the head of Lake Windermere is one of the jewels of the area. Grasmere is perhaps best known as the home of William Wordsworth, a place he once described as "The most loveliest spot that man hath found". Wordsworth's memory is heavy here with his former home, Dove Cottage (www.wordsworth.org.uk/) being one of the most popular attractions. Coniston is a good base for walkers and climbers. The Monk Coniston estate, owned by the writer Beatrix Potter and bequeathed to the National Trust (www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/) on her death, stretches from Coniston to Skelwith Bridge, and includes the famous beauty spot, Tarn Hows. There are simply too many towns and villages to mention here so visit our interactive map of the area to discover more!
Places to stay
From large, luxurious hotels and cosy B&Bs to well-equipped caravan and camping parks, comfortable self-catering cottages and tourist hostels or camping barns and farm stays – The Lake District offers a wide range of accommodation establishments. You can be sure of a warm welcome and a great service in some of the most picturesque surroundings to be found anywhere! Use our accommodation search (www.enjoyengland.com/productsearch/accommodation/accomsearch.aspx) to find yourself the perfect place to stay in The Lake District.
Food and drink
From Cumberland sausage to freshly baked gingerbread there are so many delightful tastes to be sampled in The Lake District that it would be a crime not to visit some of the numerous fine restaurants. These will add real local flavour to your holiday! Try a pint of amber ale in one of the many inns and pubs and don’t forget to treat yourself to an afternoon tea whilst you are up there too!
Other activities
With so much open space and water around it’s no surprise there are a number of activities for all the family. From climbing and caving, water sports, and mountain biking to some of the more relaxing pursuits such as playing golf and freshwater fishing among truly spectacular surroundings as well as adventure playgrounds and other tailor-made activities for the children there is something for everyone. Some activities such as walking and horse riding can vary in difficulty and it would be worth checking with operators that products match your requirements before booking. For more information on leisure activities in the Lake District visit the website of Cumbria Tourist Board (www.golakes.co.uk/).
Destination guides