Mark’s guidebook

The Lake District is famous for its windy, sometimes single track roads, and you can be slowed down considerably if you’re stuck behind a tractor or a lorry, even on more major roads. Besides, you will be in some of the most beautiful driving scenery in the country (it is not a UNESCO World Heritage site for nothing!) so you might want to go slower and enjoy the scenery anyway. Always allow more time to get to your destination.

This is an obvious one, but as the Lake District’s weather is notoriously unpredictable, it pays to keep an eye on the forecast when planning trips. Note also that our exposed coastal location often experiences different weather to that predicted by forecasts.

As it can take a while to get places in the Lake District (the mountains and lakes have something to do with that!), it pays to plan to visit a few places while you’re in the same area. The general areas to head for are the Cumbrian coast, the Furness peninsula, Eskdale, Coniston, the Cartmel peninsula, Hawkshead, Ambleside, Grasmere and Kendal.

Even if you don’t consider yourself a walker, it’s well worth making your way up to the viewing platform that can be seen next to the farm, at the summit of Millom Park. Head down the farm drive to the outbuildings and climb over the stile in the dry stone wall to your left – this joins a footpath which heads back up the hill to the viewing platform and beyond. On a clear day, you have a 360° panorama.

Walk up the farm track that heads through the gate between the Byre and the Stables. This leads into a beautiful rugged landscape with views of the Lowscales Bank rocky outcrop and our local mountain, Black Combe.

A bit like driving across Dartmoor… Head east on the A5093/A595. Just before Duddon Bridge take the road to the left signposted to Corney Fell. Follow the Duddon Valley and turn left following the signs for Corney. The road leads up and over the fell and gives great views of the coast before descending to the village of Corney. Take care as the road is often single track with passing places. From Corney, follow the signs to Bootle and take the A595 to return home.

Head to Duddon Bridge and turn left immediately after it to follow the Duddon Valley, a river so beautiful that Wordsworth managed to write 34 sonnets about it. After Ulpha, take the road to the left signposted “Birker Fell”. As the gradient levels out you’re rewarded with great views across to Scafell Pike and the mountains of the central Lakes, before descending into Eskdale. Cross a bridge over the River Esk to reach the King George IV pub. Continue through Eskdale Green and Irton to reach the A595 and turn left to return home.

One of Britain's most exhilarating roads: a single track road with a heart-stopping series of sharp and narrow hairpin bends with a gradient of 1:3. Head to Ulpha as in “Eskdale Loop” but continue to Seathwaite and Cockley Beck. Turn left towards Hardknott Pass. You reach 393 metres elevation before descending into Eskdale (look out for the Roman Fort). You pass the Woolpack Inn (worth a stop), Boot and Beckfoot to reach the King George IV pub. Turn right to continue through Eskdale Green and Irton to reach the A595 and turn left to return home.

Many attractions have discounted prices for visiting two or more attractions e.g. Dual attraction tickets are available for Muncaster Castle, and the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway and “Park, Rail & Sail” tickets can be bought for the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway and cruises on Lake Windermere.

It pays to book ahead for restaurants and activities like Go Ape, Segway and quad biking, particularly in the high season and school holidays. Many establishments in the area are closed (or close early) on Mondays.

Lake district roads can be very undulating and windy – encourage them not to look down at their phones to avoid travel sickness!

The Lake District is the UK’s adventure capital: abseiling, archery, boating, bushcraft, canoeing, clay pigeon shooting, climbing, crossbow, cycling, escape rooms, fishing, foot golf, ghyll scrambling, Go Ape, go-karting, golf, horse riding, husky mushing, kayaking, mountain biking, off-roading, paddle boarding, paintball, quad-biking, raft building, sailing, Segway, sheep herding, stone wall building, treetop adventures and nets, Via Ferrata, ziplining – please see Activities in our Guidebook for more details!

A good option for a wet weather day would be a trip up the Cumbrian coast. Muncaster Castle offers house tours, a café and gift shop, and the nearby Ravenglass and Eskdale railway has covered carriages. Further north, Whitehaven has two good indoor attractions (the Beacon Museum and the Rum Story, each with their own Cafés) and Maryport has an aquarium, museum and indoor karting. Stop at the Byre Café in Bootle on your way up or on your way back!

Head east for a trip on the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway (which has covered carriages) to Lakeside (where there is an aquarium on the shore of Lake Windermere) and/or to Backbarrow, where you can try an escape room at the Cliffhanger Rooms and visit the Lakeland Motor Museum (which has a nice café).

Our nearest cinemas are the Roxy in Ulverston and the Vue in Barrow-in-Furness (perhaps combine the latter with a trip to the Dock Museum to learn about Barrow’s shipbuilding heritage).

Make a booking with our visiting therapist Penny Irvine (07889 401752) if you fancy a massage/treatment during your stay (separate charges apply). http://pennyirvinemassagetherapy.co.uk