Lake District Hidden Gems - Western Lakes and the Lake District Peninsulas

Lake District Hidden Gems - Western Lakes and the Lake District Peninsulas

The Lake District Peninsulas

The Lake District Peninsulas are a picturesque region of South Cumbria, an area rich in coastal walks and surrounded by sea and rolling hills. While within easy reach of the prime visitor attractions of the central Lake District this unique area, as well as possessing many treasures of its own, also offers easy access to the wilder and more remote locations of the Western Lake District, an area of outstanding beauty famous for its dramatic scenery. Needless to say it's very popular with walkers and nature enthusiasts, as here you will also find no less than 11 of Cumbria's 28 National Nature Reserves.

The Western Lake District

Possibly the most impressive and atmospheric lake in the Western Lake District, and one definitely not to be missed, is Wastwater; owned by the National Trust it is the deepest lake in England. Wastwater is also surrounded by some of the highest peaks in England, including Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England at 3,210 feet. To the southeast of the lake imposing scree slopes, carved during the Ice Age by the movement of glaciers, soar steeply and dramatically out of the shadowy waters creating an eerie effect.

Also worth a visit is St Bees Head, a stunning coastal location with over four miles of steep sandstone cliffs, and home to Britain's only colony of black guillemots. Here there is an RSPB nature reserve where you can view nesting colonies of puffins, razorbills, kittiwakes, gannets, and skuas.

For something completely different visit nearby Muncaster Castle, a haunted castle with superb gardens - Ruskin called them the Gateway to Paradise'. The castle is also home to the World Owl Trust and its Owl Centre has one of the largest collections of birds in existence. Muncaster Castle has a regular programme of events and you can even take part in a ghost sit, if you dare!

Other gems include Eskdale, with its majestic high peaks, stunning waterfalls and rolling green hills. The river Esk begins its journey in the high fells at Esk Hause, passing through Great Moss at the base of Scafell Pike before tumbling down through a narrow gorge and a series of waterfalls. Growing to a river at the foot of Hardknott Pass, England's steepest road, it then takes on a more gentle character as it passes through some of the most beautiful oak woodland in Cumbria.

The Eskdale Valley is also home to the Ravenglass Railway, a seven-mile line that has 4 steam locomotives currently in service, including the oldest working 15" gauge locomotive in the world. The railway terminates at the ancient hamlet of Boot, from where a short walk will take you to Stanley Ghyll Force, a 60 foot waterfall in a deep gorge lined with wild rhododendrons, said to be the most beautiful waterfall in the Lake District.

A trip to the Western Lakes would not be complete without a visit to Buttermere, a special favourite of Wainwright's, and adjacent Crummock Water. This whole area is gorgeous walking country and one of the most popular walks around Lake Buttermere takes you to Scale Force, the tallest waterfall in the Lake District, with a total height of 120 feet plunging into a wooded ravine. Truly spectacular!

The Furness Peninsula

The Furness Peninsula lies at the foot of the Western Lake District and offers the visitor a wealth of interest and activities. With many coastal locations boasting views across the Bay, lovely walks and prime visitor locations such as the South Lakes Wild Animal Park in Dalton-in-Furness, where you can see an amazing variety of wild animals from all over the world.

From the Victorian town of Barrow-in-Furness to the cobbled streets and alleyways of Ulverston, the Furness Peninsula continues to surprise and delight the visitor. Explore Furness Abbey, one of the richest Cistercian monasteries in England, and upstaged only by Yorkshire's Fountains Abbey. A majestic 700 year old site with soaring ruins of red sandstone.

At The Dock Museum in Barrow you can learn about the region's maritime history, and then drive over the bridge to Walney Island and stroll amongst the sand dunes of one of Walney's two nature reserves, where you can find many rare wild flowers and birds.

Nearby the Duddon Valley is an idyllic setting for a lazy picnic on the banks of the crystal clear Duddon River, or you can visit the delightful Georgian market town of Broughton-in-Furness, where the oldest building is thought to be St Mary's Church, first built in Saxon times.

Travelling east from Barrow discover the historic market town of Ulverston with its cobbled streets, also the start of the 70 mile Cumbrian Way and the birthplace of Stan Laurel. Make sure to visit the world's only Laurel and Hardy Museum, which has an amazing amount of memorabilia, including letters, photographs, personal items and furniture. On a clear day, if you walk up to the Hoad Monument on Hoad Hill, you will be rewarded with stunning coastal views across to Blackpool see if you can spot Blackpool Tower.

Heading east again through Greenodd, where there are spectacular views across the Bay and some lovely coastal walks, you will come to the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Steam Railway. Here you can park up and steam your way to Lakeside for a sail on Lake Windermere.

The Cartmel Peninsula

Towards the south of Haverthwaite and Newby Bridge lies the Cartmel Peninsula. At its centre is the picturesque village of Cartmel, famous for its ancient 12th century Cartmel Priory with beautiful stained glass windows, modern sculptures, and ancient choir stalls. The Cartmel Village Shop sells the best sticky toffee pudding in the region as well as lots of other goodies. On race days the village buzzes with life as visitors from across the country flock to attend the ever-popular Cartmel races.

There's lots of great places to eat in Cartmel, as well as arts and crafts shops, antique shops and bookshops. If you are tempted to stay and who wouldn't be there is plenty of accommodation around, from B&Bs to lovely self catering cottages such as Ford House, in the heart of the village square.

From Cartmel why not whizz across country and visit historic Holker Hall, a fabulous country estate and one of Britain's best-loved stately homes, and take a tour of its magical, award-winning gardens where there are so many exciting things to see, including a magnificent water cascade tumbling in layered steps down from a 17th century marble statue of Neptune through rhododendrons and oak trees.

If you continue along the coast road from Holker Hall you can enjoy magnificent views across Morecambe Bay as you make your way to Grange-over-Sands, one of South Lakeland's truly hidden gems known as Lakeland's Riviera' due to its exceptional climate. The town has a mile-long seaside promenade, a great shopping centre and lovely ornamental gardens with a large collection of ducks and geese. There are plenty of cafs and tearooms where you can enjoy a good meal as well or just relax with a cream tea or a bowl of sticky toffee pudding.

Grange is only 7 miles from Lake Windermere and also has easy access to the Western Lake District, and is therefore an ideal spot from which to explore the many attractions of the Lake District. There are several hotels, such as the superbly comfy and luxurious Netherwood Hotel, and superior self-catering accommodation for larger groups can be found in the historic manor house at Hardcragg Hall, where Beatrix Potter was once a regular visitor.

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