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Writer's pictureBrooke McKinnell

To the Lakes



©2023 Wanderscot

First, my apologies. Recent weeks have been quiet on the blog. I was in desperate need of a break from university. After finishing my archaeology and history exams, I drove to the lakes to visit my dear friend Rich. Rich loves the outdoors and is often in the hills. He completed 169 of 214 Wainwrights. Birketts 293/541 Three Scottish munros. Wow, right? 
I prefer jam-packed vacations. I enjoy geology, culture, and history. I constantly find Lake District spots to visit. Rick, who knows the area better than me, creates the itinerary. I enjoy my time there since he always creates something extraordinary. I had a blast swimming, caving, and hiking on our trip. The Lake District has my undying love. Let me show you why.


Located in England's northwest, the Lake District is home to some of the country's most breathtaking scenery. There are well-known tourist attractions in the lakes, mountains, forests, and quaint rural communities. Some facts about the Lake District are provided below.

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Northwest England is home to Cumbria, where the Lake District may be found. There are 16 leading lakes, the greatest of which is Lake Windermere, and the landscape is dominated by craggy peaks and deep valleys. Scafell Pike, England's tallest peak, is also located in this area.

Established in 1951, the Lake District National Park spans about 2,362 square kilometers (912 square miles). It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Therefore every year, it receives millions of tourists to enjoy the outdoors.

Many poets, writers, and artists have found inspiration in the Lake District's breathtaking scenery. There are a lot of beautiful places to go hiking, boating, cycling, and watching wildlife because of the combination of mountains, lakes, woodlands, and rolling hills.
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For nature lovers, the Lake District is a dream come true. Outdoor enthusiasts will find many opportunities in the varied landscape, from hiking and climbing in the fells (mountains) to sailing, kayaking, swimming in the lakes, cycling along scenic roads, and exploring the various nature trails. The area is perfect for both relaxing strolls and adrenaline-pumping exploits.

As you explore the region, you'll find quaint towns and villages throughout the Lake District that make excellent home bases. Ambleside, Bowness-on-Windermere, Keswick, Grasmere, and Coniston are some of the more frequented locations in the area. Tourists can find hotels, eateries, bars, stores, museums, art galleries, and historic landmarks in these cities.
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Many well-known authors, such as William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and Beatrix Potter, found inspiration in the Lake District. Dove Cottage and Hill Top, two of their former residences, are now museums showcasing their lives and achievements.

The Lake District is a fantastic travel spot thanks to its spectacular scenery, plenty of outdoor pursuits, fascinating history, and relaxing atmosphere. Nature aficionados, hikers, history buffs, and anyone looking for quiet time in a beautiful natural location should check it out. Time stands still for me whenever I'm in the Lake District. The locals are equally warm and welcoming as those in Scotland, and the lakeside landscape is reminiscent of our own Fairy Glen.

Ulverston

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I walked the old Furness Railway line. The 19th- and early-20th-century Furness Railway ran through Ulverston and transported local iron ore, slate, and other products to industrial centers. It connected Ulverston to nearby towns and cities for passenger transit.

Ulverston is a medieval market town on the Furness Peninsula in southern Cumbria, England. It is 8 miles northeast of Barrow-in-Furness and 20 miles south of Lake District National Park. Near Morecambe Bay, a prominent Irish Sea bay.

Festivals and events keep Ulverston vibrant. The September Lantern Festival is famous for parades, lantern displays, and live music. Other events include the Ulverston International Music Festival and Dickensian Festival, which turns the town Victorian.
Ulverston has a welcome community spirit. Independent businesses, taverns, and restaurants give the town individuality.


Hodge Close Quarry



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Hodge Close Quarry is a disused slate quarry near Coniston in the Lake District, Cumbria, England. Hodge Close Quarry is steeped in Lake District slate mining heritage. The 19th-century establishment closed in the early 1960s. The quarry produced high-quality green slate for roofing, flooring, and wall cladding.
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Forests and rocks surround Hodge Close Quarry. The quarry is a deep, water-filled chasm. The quarry's green water enhances its charm. Climbers and adventurers love the quarry's cliffs.
Footpaths and trails lead to Hodge Close Quarry. Park close and stroll to the quarry. Safety requires respecting signage and following local authorities' and landowners' rules.


Rydal Hall


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Rydal Hall is near Rydal, a settlement 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) northwest of Ambleside and 6 miles (9.7 kilometers) northeast of Windermere. Mountains, forests, and lakes surround it in the Lake District. Rydal Hall is centuries old. The Le Fleming-Greenwood family owned the estate after the 16th century. The estate's home and gardens were built over time.



Little Langdale


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I walked wonderfully peacefully around this hamlet and valley in Cumbria's Lake District National Park. Little Langdale is northwest of Ambleside and northeast of Coniston in the southern Lake District. Its lovely and serene position is surrounded by Lake District fells and valleys.


Cathedral Cave


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It is a remarkable underground cavern in Little Langdale in the Lake District National Park, Cumbria, England. Cathedral Cave is north of Little Langdale and west of Coniston in Tilberthwaite Valley. Lake District fells and woods surround it. Slate mining and quarrying shaped Cathedral Cave's history. It was a 19th- and 20th-century slate quarry. The mountainside quarry employees extracted high-quality slate for roofing, flooring, and building components.

Explore Cathedral Cave's deep depths. From the road, a walkway leads to the cave entrance. You can explore the large cavern, see the rock formations, and enjoy the underground environment. Be careful and obey site safety regulations.

Rich brought his acoustic guitar and played it inside the cave. It sounded superb!



Kirk Fell is in Cumbria's Lake District National Park


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Kirk Fell lies in the western Lake District near Wasdale Head. The Scafell mountain range comprises England's tallest summit, Scafell Pike. The fourth-highest mountain in England is Kirk Fell at 2,631 feet (802 meters). Hikers and mountaineers like its triangular shape and rocky slopes.
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Kirk Fell has breathtaking Lake District vistas. Great Gable, Pillar, and Scafell may be seen from its summit. Clear days reveal the Irish Sea and the Isle of Man.

Kirk Fell is primarily volcanic rock and slate, like other Lake District mountains. Scree slopes and boulder fields add to its ruggedness.



Eskdale is a beautiful valley in Cumbria's western Lake District National Park.


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Eskdale has steep fells, wooded valleys, gushing waterfalls, and meandering rivers. The valley offers hiking, photography, and outdoor exploration in harsh alpine scenery and attractive countryside.

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Eskdale's Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway (La'al Ratty) is a narrow-gauge heritage steam railway. From Ravenglass on the coast to Dalegarth Station in Eskdale, the railway passes through the stunning countryside from Ravenglass, a Cumbrian seaside settlement, to Dalegarth Station in the magnificent Eskdale Valley in the western Lake District National Park. It spans 7 miles (11 km).
The Eskdale Railway is fun to see the Lake District and experience steam train travel. Railway lovers and Lake District visitors like its scenic route, quaint stops, and opportunity to experience a bygone era of transit.


Stanley Ghyll Force


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Stanley Ghyll Force is in the Eskdale Valley within the Lake District National Park. It is near the village of Boot and can be accessed via various walking routes.
Stanley Ghyll Force is a spectacular waterfall that cascades down a series of rocky steps, creating a picturesque and dramatic sight. The waterfall has a total drop of approximately 60 feet (20 meters) and is surrounded by lush green vegetation and moss-covered rocks. Stanley Ghyll Force is steeped in local folklore and tales. "Ghyll" refers to a narrow and steep-sided ravine or gorge, and "Force" is a term commonly used in the Lake District to describe a waterfall. The waterfall's beauty and the legends surrounding it add to its allure.


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A fantastic finale to my time in the lakes. We took lunch on Peel Island, a little island near Coniston, where I also got to swim wild. Located in Coniston Water, a lake in the Lake District National Park in Cumbria, England, lies Peel Island, also known as Wild Cat Island. Some facts about Peel Island are as follows. Coniston Water, one of the largest lakes in the Lake District National Park, is where you'll find Peel Island. It's not far from the small town of Coniston on the lake's eastern shore. The area of Peel Island is only about 0.75 acres (0.3 hectares).

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I cannot wait to go back. Scotland and the Lake District may differ in many ways, but they share one common trait: magnificence. Both destinations have the ability to transport us to a world of natural wonders, where the majesty of mountains, the serenity of lakes, and the allure of history converge. They inspire us to reconnect with nature, immerse ourselves in rich cultural traditions, and appreciate the awe-inspiring beauty surrounding us.

Thank you, Rich Walker, for a wonderful time!


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