Lake District

Hmmm, not the best time for your first visit as it will be very busy - which will make discounts a bit thin on the ground.

What sort of things do you enjoy ? How far are you travelling ? & how are you getting here ?

MTC

Hi,

Kendal is a good place to visit as is nearby Windermere and Ambleside.

Check out the following site too:
http://www.lakelandgateway.info/thingstodo.asp

Hmmmmmmmm i wonder where one is thinking about, and if you are thinking where i'm thinking fantastic ice cream location

PS did i nearly crash into you on thursday in my Blue Van!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok taney

hers'e MTC's guide to a perfect Lake District day out on a Bank Holiday weekend that will avoid the worst of the crowds and most of the traffic.

I'll be briefish with my directions, but I can go in depth if you prefer.

from M6 Junct 36 follow signs for Lake District
Take the first Junction to your left (huge brown tourist board).
Follow the signs for Barrow In Furness.
After approx 10 miles you will come across Newby Bridge (the extreme Southern tip of Lake Windermere), just AFTER the roundabout,
take the Right hand turn, signposted Hawkshead (8 miles I think).
After approx 1 mile you will come across the Lakeside Hotel on your RH side.
Pull in here and have a look at the Steamers on Lake Windermere, and the steam trains on the Lakeside & Haverthwaite railway.
Back in your car and head for Hawkshead. Approaching from this end you should see that the school has opened its car park for visitors - if it has, park here, good value, very convienient.
Explore Hawkshead - lovely Lake District village. mabye buy some stuff from Hawkshead Relish to enjoy when you get home.
back into your car and head for Coniston.
As you get to the top of Hawkshead Hill, look out for signs on your RH side for "Tarn Hows" and follow them.
You will come to the National Trust car park and pay and display here (unless you are a NT member, in which case it is free).
Have a walk around Tarn Hows and remind yourself how lucky you are.



It's really easy going and will take you about an hour.
From here, head towards Coniston.
Within about 2 miles you will see a brown tourist sign on your LH side for Brantwood. Turn in here.
park up at Brantwood, but instead of visting Brantwood (John Ruskins house) instead visit Jumping Jenny's Tearoom for a well deserved brew and home made cake and enjoy some of the best (& my favourite) views over Coniston Water.



From here take the road back to Coniston and if the urge takes you, have an explore.
The Black Bull is the home of Bluebird Bitter and is a nice place to stop for a pint.

from Coniston, take the A593 to Torver & then the A5084 to Greenodd.
When you get to Greenodd, take the A590 to the left towards Kendal.
When you get to Newby Bridge (this time from the other direction from before), at the roundabout take a left hand turn towards Windermere / Bowness on the A592.
After approx 2 miles, take the RH turning that is signposted Bowland Bridge / Cartmel.
Nearly straightaway the road will get steep.
Just at the point where you meet the carpark on the RH side, park in one of the pullins on the LH side. Have a look over the wall and go Wow. You've got a beautiful view of Newby Bridge, the steamer piers and Lake Windermere. Millions of people come to the Lakes each year, and very, very few see a view as good as that.
back into your car and carry on for a few more miles until you find The Masons Arms on your LH side. The Masons is one of the best eating houses in the Lake District. Car parking can be tight, but persevere and you won't be diappointted.
After filling your stomach, get back in your car and carry on down the hill.
When the road ends, turn right.
This leads you onto the Lyth Valley road, which is home to the famous Lyth Valley damsons. If the fruit stall is open when you are going past, take advantage of it.
When you come to the end of the Lyth Valley Road, take a left, sign posted Kendal.
You are now on the A590.
After approx 3 miles you will pick up the signs for the M6.
Pick up the signs and go home to Birmingham.

I hope that you enjoy your trip.

If the roads are good, it'll take you about 2 1/2 hours to get from the Masons to Brum. If they are busy, it will take you longer !!

MTC

p.s. Rikki, yep, Murphy towers is completed

p.p.s Gingerdad, if you were in my village, on that mini roundabout, driving that blue van and the car that you saw was a black one, then yes, that was me .