LAKE DISTRICT

The national parks of the North York Moors, Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District lie in a fairly straight line across the part of the UK which is the thinnest. So from Whitby on the east coast to Whitehaven on the west via the Dales in the middle is only about 172 miles (280 kms) by road, though it is a fairly winding road, so a non-stop journey would take about five hours.

The journey therefore from Richmond where we were staying to Keswick was a fairly leisurely drive passing along some of the most spectacular scenery in England.

The Lake District is probably the only area in England which has anything resembling a proper 'mountain' as opposed to a 'hill', although at a little under 1000m high, Scafell Pike doesn't even register on the list of the world's highest. Even the 'flat' country Australia boasts a highest peak of more than twice that. The whole area is very popular with cross-country hikers, which is reflected in the number of shops in the main Lake District towns specialising in hiking gear.

The craggy mountains and passes contrast remarkably with the peaceful serene beauty of the lakes, and the picture postcard perfect villages which hug the shores of the lakes.

Coniston Water, which in the 1950's and 1960's was the scene of many attempts on the world water speed record. Donald Campbell lost his life here in 1966 whilst attempting to break the record in 'Bluebird'. His body was never recovered, so it lies somewhere in the murky depths

Here's a real cranky looking bird (and this time it's not Karen!)


Lake Windermere, the largest of the English lakes. For trivia buffs, "Windermere" comes from "Vinandr's lake" highlighting the Nordic influence in the north of England (as if the accents were not enough)



Breakfast taken at Derwent Water, near Keswick.
I had the feeling the whole time we were here that we were being watched



Sure enough, eyes were on us

Lake District scenery

Perhaps the most spectacular drive in England is the road through the Hardknot Pass. With numerous tight hairpins, and 1:4 descents/ascents it is an unforgiving road, and of course is closed to trucks and vehicles towing any form of trailer (so, phew! No caravans!).

We passed through a small town called Hawkshead near Esthwaite Water, one of the smaller lakes. The following pictures are all of Hawkshead, another of those picture postcard perfect places

My personal favourite of all the buildings in Hawkshead, the Red Lion Inn

Not quite as hair-rasing as the Hardknott Pass, the Kirkstone Pass also offers some spectacular views, and there's the (ahem) Renault

Another view of the Kirkstone Pass

After the arduous drive across the top of the mountain, the Kirkstone Pass Inn offers a welcoming respite

Whilst the girls settled for pots of tea, I had a pint of Jennings Porter, a heavy dark beer which can be seen on the table near Karen.

Chloe seems startled, whilst Chanelle lives the moment

BEATRIX POTTER

The Lake District's most celebrated celebrities are the poet William Wordsworth, who was born in Cockermouth, just on the edge of the national park and went to school in the village of Hawkshead (as above), and of course Beatrix Potter, who was born in London, but spent much of her life in the Lake District, and through the phenomenol success of her Peter Rabbit series of 25 books, written between 1893 and 1944, she was able to accumulate some 4,000 acres of the Lake District and a large number of cottages and other buildings. Concerned as she was of the oncoming development of the Lake District, she wanted to preserve the beauty for future generations. Her amazing foresight saved so much of the Lake District, and upon her death, her estate passed to the National Trust organisation, who today manage the Beatrix Potter estate, worth an estimated $500m.

The village of Sawrey, much owned now by the National Trust, courtesy of Miss Potter. On the hill overlooking this village, is 'Hill Top', the first property purchased by Beatrix Potter, and which today is open to the public. She spent many years living at Hill Top.

'Hill Top' the first Lake District home owned by Beatrix Potter. In true National Trust style, only about 12 persons are allowed into the building at any one time.

Chloe with the extensive Hill Top gardens in the background. Beatrix Potter was most famous for her illustrations in the Peter Rabbit books, and these gardens provided the locations for many of the drawings

The path leading up to the cottage which is depicted in the book "The Tale of Tom Kitten" as shown below

and Chanelle in the gardens

Karen on the path leading up to the cottage

Yew Tree Farm, at nearby Coniston, was another cottage owned by Beatrix Potter, and was actually used as 'Hill Top' in the movie 'Miss Potter' as it bears close resemblance.

and so that was the Lake District. So we've had enough of pretty countryside, it's time to visit a city, and the closest one was Liverpool............