Must See Locations In The Lake District??

JDholic

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As above, I'm taking a driving/photographic trip to see a few family members on the mainland on Thursday.

I leave Larne on a 0725 ferry for Stranraer, hoping to be able to take in as many "must see" locations on my way to Shrewsbury. My main route will be the M6, but rather than be stuck on a motorway for the whole journey, I'd like to take a detour to the Lake District.

Is there anything that I must go and see??

Your help is greatly appreciated. :D
 
Just to point out JD will be coming from the north to the south on his trip...
 
JDholic said:
Is there anything that I must go and see??
Click to expand...
Most of the "must see" bits of the Lake District are best seen after an hour or two's walking, I'm afraid. It's generally better to be up in the hills looking down on the lakes and across at other hills, than it is to be down in the valleys looking up at the hills.

Having said that, here's a suggestion for some scenic views from the car.

Come into the Lakes from the M6 on the A66. The views as you approach Keswick are great. Keswick is a nice place for a pit stop.

If you've got an hour or so to spare, do a circular drive from Keswick to Buttermere via Whinlatter Pass (B5292) and Honister Pass (B5289). The views are great going in either direction, though personally I think anti-clockwise (Whinlatter first) is better.

The best north-south route through the Lakes is alongside Ullswater, then over Kirkstone Pass and down into Ambleside.

If you've got time for an hour or two's walking I can suggest a couple of great short walks with good views.
 
i agree with the circular drive from keswick, you could also stop and look at the borrowdale valley. castlerigg stone circle makes a good photo if quiet.
 
StewartR said:
Most of the "must see" bits of the Lake District are best seen after an hour or two's walking, I'm afraid. It's generally better to be up in the hills looking down on the lakes and across at other hills, than it is to be down in the valleys looking up at the hills.

Having said that, here's a suggestion for some scenic views from the car.

Come into the Lakes from the M6 on the A66. The views as you approach Keswick are great. Keswick is a nice place for a pit stop.

If you've got an hour or so to spare, do a circular drive from Keswick to Buttermere via Whinlatter Pass (B5292) and Honister Pass (B5289). The views are great going in either direction, though personally I think anti-clockwise (Whinlatter first) is better.

The best north-south route through the Lakes is alongside Ullswater, then over Kirkstone Pass and down into Ambleside.

If you've got time for an hour or two's walking I can suggest a couple of great short walks with good views.
Click to expand...

Great suggestion Stewart, some fantastic walks at all those locations, what about sending JD up and over the Hard Knott Pass as well, fantastic views, but will probably add 3 hours to journey from Keswick :D

http://www.thecumbriadirectory.com/Cumbria_Countryside/Passes/Hardknott_Pass/Hardknott_Pass.php
 
Get off of the M6 at penrith and head towards Ullswater, then take the lakeside drive to Ambleside which will take you up the Kirkstone Pass.
For a taster of the lake district you could'nt choose a better introduction than this! There are many places on route for photo opportunities and I think Ullswater is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque lakes. Enjoy!
 
Hard Knott Pass is a good idea there is the remains of a roman fort quite close if i remember correct
 
StewartR said:
Most of the "must see" bits of the Lake District are best seen after an hour or two's walking, I'm afraid. It's generally better to be up in the hills looking down on the lakes and across at other hills, than it is to be down in the valleys looking up at the hills.

Having said that, here's a suggestion for some scenic views from the car.

Come into the Lakes from the M6 on the A66. The views as you approach Keswick are great. Keswick is a nice place for a pit stop.

If you've got an hour or so to spare, do a circular drive from Keswick to Buttermere via Whinlatter Pass (B5292) and Honister Pass (B5289). The views are great going in either direction, though personally I think anti-clockwise (Whinlatter first) is better.

The best north-south route through the Lakes is alongside Ullswater, then over Kirkstone Pass and down into Ambleside.

If you've got time for an hour or two's walking I can suggest a couple of great short walks with good views.
Click to expand...

Had already considered the Kirkstone pass drive, even from the map it looks spectacular. ;)

pecrow said:
i agree with the circular drive from keswick, you could also stop and look at the borrowdale valley. castlerigg stone circle makes a good photo if quiet.
Click to expand...

pete.rush said:
Great suggestion Stewart, some fantastic walks at all those locations, what about sending JD up and over the Hard Knott Pass as well, fantastic views, but will probably add 3 hours to journey from Keswick :D

http://www.thecumbriadirectory.com/Cumbria_Countryside/Passes/Hardknott_Pass/Hardknott_Pass.php
Click to expand...

This is also part of the plan, I can't wait it's tomorrow!! Haven't packed yet though. :D

smithphoto said:
Get off of the M6 at penrith and head towards Ullswater, then take the lakeside drive to Ambleside which will take you up the Kirkstone Pass.
For a taster of the lake district you could'nt choose a better introduction than this! There are many places on route for photo opportunities and I think Ullswater is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque lakes. Enjoy!
Click to expand...

ditchdigger said:
Hard Knott Pass is a good idea there is the remains of a roman fort quite close if i remember correct
Click to expand...

Thanks everyone for your suggestions, it's a definite turn off the m6 at Penrith, a drive to Ambleside via Kirkstone pass and then the Hard Knott pass. It's adding nearly 3 and a half hours to the journey, without stopping!! ;)
 
Looks like I've been outvoted then, but in my opinion the Hard Knott route is over-rated. Yes, Hard Knott and Wrynose are great fun to drive, but the scenery out there isn't so good (no lakes, for instance) and it takes you a hell of a long way out of the way. I think the Keswick / Borrowdale / Buttermere circuit is as much fun to drive, much prettier, and less of a detour.
 
StewartR said:
Looks like I've been outvoted then, but in my opinion the Hard Knott route is over-rated. Yes, Hard Knott and Wrynose are great fun to drive, but the scenery out there isn't so good (no lakes, for instance) and it takes you a hell of a long way out of the way. I think the Keswick / Borrowdale / Buttermere circuit is as much fun to drive, much prettier, and less of a detour.
Click to expand...

I'm not exactly in a great rush Stewart, the Keswick/Borrowdale/Buttermere route does look more interesting. I'll probably change my mind continually until tomorrow. I could do that drive, head south afterwards and still take in the Hard Knott drive as well. ;)
 
Another vote for a trip to Buttermere here. There are some great views from within 10 mins walk of the village car park. I took this one last month, and even then the autumnal colours were looking good-it should be fantastic now!

4004113505_43f9416dcc_o.jpg


Unfortunately it's not a great weather forecast for Cumbria tomorrow, but if you're lucky the clouds won't reach too far down into the valleys, whereas on the higher roads/hills you may not see a thing.
 
Arnside, it has some amazing walks with great photo oppotunities.

Also has the best chippy in the north west.
 
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