Places to visit

Wasdale, Eskdale and Muncaster Castle

If you have fully explored the North West lakes then why not visit the South West valleys. Wasdale, with its dramatic screes has Wastwater, England's deepest lake (recently voted Britain's Favourite View by the public) and Scafell Pike, England's highest mountain.

Neighbouring Eskdale is a real contrast with sleepy villages, lovely low level walks around the River Esk and Stanley Ghyll Force, as well as the wonderful Ravenglass and Eskdale steam railway (photo opposite), which will delight children.

Muncaster Castle is definitely worth a visit with its beautiful gardens, famous for rhododendrons, the daily owl show and medieval castle.

There are lots of interesting places to visit nearby. Below are just a few ideas. Cockermouth and Whitehaven are a 15 minute drive away whilst Keswick is only a 30 minute drive:
Cockermouth:
Visit Wordsworth house and Jennings Brewery. There are also lots of boutiques, antique shops and galleries and you can stroll by the river in Memorial Gardens. Trotters World of Animals is good for families.

Whitehaven:
The Beacon at the regenerated harbour (see photo opposite) and The Rum Story. St. Nicholas Church is set in beautiful gardens.
Keswick:
Keswick, a tourist magnet on wet days with all the outdoor shops you could dream of; indoor swimming pool with flumes and wave machine; Museum and Art Gallery, various family attractions including Puzzling Place, Cumberland Pencil Museum and Cars of the Stars
Egremont:
Traditional lakeland town with Egremont castle and Florence Mine.

For a trip to the seaside you can visit St. Bees Heritage Coast, with its lovely sandy beach (see photo opposite) and Priory Church. You can also walk the first portion of the Coast to Coast Path along the 300ft high cliffs which afford spectacular views and the chance to glimpse rare seabirds as this is an RSPB reserve. If you are feeling energetic you can follow the path all the way to the lighthouse at North Head.

Further afield is the Solway Coast, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty: Silloth is recommended in the 2002 Good Beach Guide and Allonby has also received a recommendation in recent years.

Beatrix Potter landscapes You can visit various locations used in the film "Miss Potter" about celebrated children's author, Beatrix Potter. These stretch from Whitehaven in the west to the Settle to Carlisle railway in the east, with nearby Loweswater, given a starring role. You can also visit the Beatrix Potter attraction, The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends at Bowness-on-Windermere.		Click on the image to enlarge for more information

		Wasdale, Eskdale and Muncaster Castle If you have fully explored the North West lakes then why not visit the South West valleys. Wasdale, with its dramatic screes has Wastwater, England's deepest lake (recently voted Britain's Favourite View by the public) and Scafell Pike, England's highest mountain. Neighbouring Eskdale is a real contrast with sleepy villages, lovely low level walks around the River Esk and Stanley Ghyll Force, as well as the wonderful Ravenglass and Eskdale steam railway (photo opposite), which will delight children. Muncaster Castle is definitely worth a visit with its beautiful gardens, famous for rhododendrons, the daily owl show and medieval castle.

Nearby towns There are lots of interesting places to visit nearby. Below are just a few ideas. Cockermouth and Whitehaven are a 15 minute drive away whilst Keswick is only a 30 minute drive: Cockermouth: Visit Wordsworth house and Jennings Brewery. There are also lots of boutiques, antique shops and galleries and you can stroll by the river in Memorial Gardens. Trotters World of Animals is good for families. Whitehaven: The Beacon at the regenerated harbour (see photo opposite) and The Rum Story. St. Nicholas Church is set in beautiful gardens. Keswick: Keswick, a tourist magnet on wet days with all the outdoor shops you could dream of; indoor swimming pool with flumes and wave machine; Museum and Art Gallery, various family attractions including Puzzling Place, Cumberland Pencil Museum and Cars of the Stars Egremont: Traditional lakeland town with Egremont castle and Florence Mine.

		The coast For a trip to the seaside you can visit St. Bees Heritage Coast, with its lovely sandy beach (see photo opposite) and Priory Church. You can also walk the first portion of the Coast to Coast Path along the 300ft high cliffs which afford spectacular views and the chance to glimpse rare seabirds as this is an RSPB reserve. If you are feeling energetic you can follow the path all the way to the lighthouse at North Head. Further afield is the Solway Coast, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty: Silloth is recommended in the 2002 Good Beach Guide and Allonby has also received a recommendation in recent years.
Within an hour and a half's drive you can visit almost anywhere in the Lake District, for example the well known attractions of: Grasmere and Wordsworth's homes Dove Cottage and Rydal Mount Windermere with steamboat and watersports The Beatrix Potter attraction The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends at Bowness Ullswater and Aira Force waterfall Rheged Centre at Penrith with Giant IMAX Movies, National Mountaineering Exhibition, shops selling local crafts & food Grizedale Forest with its Theatre, sculpture trails and the adrenaline pumping Go Ape aerial zip slides, rope bridges and scramble nets on a continuous trail up to 18m above the forest floor (over 10s only).