Weekend In The Lakes By Charlotte Evans
Having lived in the UK my entire life, I have never had the pleasure of visiting the enchanting world of the Lake District, a region renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty, serene lakes, rolling hills, and charming villages. Nestled in the northwest of England, the Lake District National Park is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, nature lovers, and those seeking a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
The first thing I noticed was the fresh air that filled my lungs, the stunning landscapes surrounding me wherever I looked, and the sense of relaxation that comes from the enveloping stillness. The shimmering lakes, including Windermere, Ullswater, and Derwentwater, each having their own identity and uniqueness.
Quaint villages and market towns, such as Ambleside, Keswick, and Grasmere, add to the region’s charm. You’ll discover traditional cottages, welcoming pubs, and local shops showcasing handmade crafts and delicious treats. The Lake District is also steeped in literary history, as it was the home of renowned poet William Wordsworth and the inspiration for many of his famous works.
Day 1:
We stayed at Park Cliffe Camping Park where we booked a 3-night stay, around 10 minutes from Windemere, 30 minute drive to Ambleside.
The campsite was expansive, clean and had a lovely friendly vibe. I took my campervan which bought me a substantial plot with electricity, but you can also camp, hire pods, caravans, shepherds’ huts, and cottages. Their facilities are clean and modern with toilets and shower block, washing area, laundry area, shop with the necessary items (we mainly hit it up for the wine and sausages), plus a restaurant and bar.
They have a strong focus around recycling and their green story. They host weekly events such as live music, bingo, and quiz nights, plus Park Cliffe invites local food and drink businesses to pop up in their beer garden! We were lucky enough to arrive on the Thursday to taste the @str_eatfresh gyros’ and my oh my were they nice! Obviously had some loaded fries on the side as well! We had a chilled glass of wine in the beer garden waiting for our food then ate watching the sunset back at the campervan.
Perfect for families, events, and great location.
Day2:
We woke up ready to explore Ambleside and Windemere villages! We drove through Bowness-on-Windemere then arrived at Windemere where we came across a very well known and loved café called Homeground Café which was absolutely delicious! The coffee alone was incredible. We had a combination of the overnight oats, banana bread, avocado and eggs, plus the homeground sarnie. They also had stunning pastries and cakes that looked like edible artwork.
We then headed over to Ambleside where we bought a 1 hour self driven boat ride for £40. There are slots on the day but if working towards a schedule, I would recommend booking online so you secure a particular time. Had a very cute time on the boat, exploring the whole of the Windemere Lake.
Spent a few hours in the sun drinking Aspall cider at the Waterhead Inn overlooking the lake. We then strolled into Ambleside town where we shopped and visited the local bookshop. Ambleside has loads of bars and quaint pub, like The Ambleside Inn where we continued drinking Aspall cider and ordered moules and frites!
Day 3:
We thought best to try out one of these great walks everyone’s been going on about and started with the Glenridding Dodd which rewarded us with some fabulous panoramic views. It was beautiful as we ascended but it began raining heavily on the decent, but we were prepared with waterproofs so only added to the fun! On a glorious day, we would recommend packing a significant picnic with snacks as the walk is of moderate difficulty with plenty of perfect picnic spots along the way.
The Glenridding Dodd walk is a popular hiking route located in the Lake District National Park. We drove from Windemere and the scenes of the mountains on the journey were phenomenal. It took all my strength to keep my eyes on the incredibly winding roads.
Location: The walk starts from the village of Glenridding, which is situated at the southern end of Ullswater, one of the largest lakes in the Lake District.
Distance: The Glenridding Dodd walk is relatively short, with a distance of around 2-3 miles (3-5 kilometres), depending on the exact route taken. We took the yellow route and found it easy to follow using GPS.
Difficulty: The walk is considered to be of moderate difficulty. While it isn’t extremely challenging, there are some steep sections and uneven terrain, so it’s important to have appropriate footwear and be prepared for changes in weather conditions as it rained heavily on our decent and became very slippery and boggy.
Route: The typical route for the Glenridding Dodd walk involves ascending from Glenridding village to the summit of Glenridding Dodd, which is a modest fell (a term for a hill or mountain) that offers fantastic views of Ullswater and the surrounding landscapes.
Views: Despite its relatively low elevation, the summit of Glenridding Dodd offers wonderful panoramic views of Ullswater and the surrounding fells, making it a rewarding hike for its moderate effort.
Access: Glenridding village is accessible by car, and there are also bus services that connect it to other parts of the Lake District.
