The Lake District: Lake Windermere

Monday, June 30, 2014
Lake District, England, United Kingdom
The Lake District is a favorite recreational area in northwestern England. It was heavily glaciated during the last ice age resulting in numerous lakes including Lake Windermere, the largest natural lake in the UK.  We chose a B&B on the west side of Lake Windermere which is a world away from the touristy east side.

Hawkrigg B&B is a converted farm house sitting on a high ridge (rigg) with beautiful views of the lake, rolling farmland, and woods . It made a great base from which to walk in the fields along beautifully kept footpaths.  

A highlight was visiting "Hill Top", Beatrix Potter's home for many years. While it's a tourist attraction it has been carefully preserved in its original state, typical of designated historic houses of the National Trust (*see link below). Stationed strategically throughout the small house are knowledgeable docents ready to answer questions. I asked about the signage in English and Japanese throughout the house and gardens.  We were surprised to learn that the "Peter Rabbit" books were translated into Japanese 60 years ago and were an instant hit with children and adults alike and continues to gain in popularity. A bus load of Japanese tourists filled the garden and house while we were there. They moved quickly into the gift shop and we were told that each bought dozens of small trinkets to take back, even though they can buy the same ones in Japan. In 2006 a replica of Beatrix Potter's house was recreated down to the last detail in Japan ...BUT-- it is one and a half times bigger! It's located one hour from Tokyo--6,000 miles from Hill Top!  

*Click link for more information about the National Trust, a wonderful UK invention:      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Trust_for_Places_of_Historic_Interest_or_Natural_Beauty

Most people tour the Lake District by car because public transportation is limited.  We considered renting one for our stay until I reminded Andrew that I might have a problem driving on the left side as I have left/right confusion on a good day--he blanched and agreed we should do without a car. As a result, we had the best time taking the ferry across the lake, and from there used the "Mountain Goat" mini-van to travel between places too far to walk....their slogan is: "Better by Goat", and we totally agree. It was the BEST. One driver played classical music on the radio and dropped us off right at our B&B door step!  

Well marked footpaths took us on a 4 mile stretch along the shoreline to Wray Castle where we stopped for a picnic lunch on the hilltop . From the castle, the "Mountain Goat" drove us up over a narrow pass to Hawkshead. After wandering about this quaint, picturesque village we rode "the Goat" back to our B&B.

Two cozy country pubs were within a mile or two by way of footpath. One pub served "Hunter's Pot", a tasty stew of rabbit, venison, and pheasant. My favorite was the "sticky toffee pudding" with vanilla ice cream--amazing! It was almost 10 p.m. and the sun had just set turning the sky a blush pink as we walked back across the grassy fields. What a perfect ending to our Lake District experience!  

Please click link below for more photos: 
 
https://picasaweb.google.com/104590044281989964656/20140702WindermereLakeDistrict?authkey=Gv1sRgCLrcptu4iL-YEA#

 

 


 

 
 

Comments

Bill Noonan
2014-07-07

Thanks for moving The Lake District up to the top of our bucket list. My BP went down 20 points just looking at the pictures!

2025-02-10

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