Hi, I'm after a bit of a heads up here, i'm off to the Lake District for a few nights early Sept, i'm embarrassed to say i having been up there since the early 90's. I'm hoping to walk up Scafell as i have great memories of walking up Helvellyn and Coniston back then, i'm thinking of driving through Wrynose and Hardknott passes which i also did back then but remember it being quite busy and that was nearly thirty years ago ....question is am i in for a shock with the amount of traffic in the lakes these days?
I spend a fair amount of my time in London traffic and quite frankly i hate it, so i'm hoping the Lakes arent inundated with cars these days (although i am going to be one of them so slightly hypocritical!) Am i going to be disappointed?
I spend a fair amount of my time in London traffic and quite frankly i hate it, so i'm hoping the Lakes arent inundated with cars these days (although i am going to be one of them so slightly hypocritical!) Am i going to be disappointed?
In reply to Post #1
Possibly Scafell pike myself in September, i am up there for 5 days
I have gone up there most of my life. To be fair it is quite busy these days in areas such as Bowness and Ambleside compared to what it used to be like but no different to many other places really, there is plenty of space. I guess the Covid situation will limit numbers into pubs and restaurants etc. We have booked our tables already
Where are you planning on stopping?
Fantastic walking though as you know. I have done both of those walks too
Possibly Scafell pike myself in September, i am up there for 5 days
I have gone up there most of my life. To be fair it is quite busy these days in areas such as Bowness and Ambleside compared to what it used to be like but no different to many other places really, there is plenty of space. I guess the Covid situation will limit numbers into pubs and restaurants etc. We have booked our tables already
Where are you planning on stopping?
Fantastic walking though as you know. I have done both of those walks too
In reply to Post #1
Hi Henry
I was up there a couple of weeks back. Windermere was packed. Covid signs in shops etc. but as busy as a usual summer day in terms of cars, parking and people.
If you've never tried it, I can recommend the fish and chip shop across from the Beatrix Potter museum..
Hi Henry
I was up there a couple of weeks back. Windermere was packed. Covid signs in shops etc. but as busy as a usual summer day in terms of cars, parking and people.
If you've never tried it, I can recommend the fish and chip shop across from the Beatrix Potter museum..
In reply to Post #4
The Chinese near there used to be spot on too
The Chinese near there used to be spot on too
In reply to Post #4
Cheers Mal and Scozza, i was going to swerve Windermere to be honest as i know it gets very busy, looking for some space and peace and quiet, i'm staying a couple of miles from Glenridding, i stayed there years ago in a nice little hotel with a running stream outside my window, after a few beers and a nice meal and ive never slept so well in all my life
I'm up there from the 6th through to the 10th, give me a shout if you're there around then Chris
Cheers Mal and Scozza, i was going to swerve Windermere to be honest as i know it gets very busy, looking for some space and peace and quiet, i'm staying a couple of miles from Glenridding, i stayed there years ago in a nice little hotel with a running stream outside my window, after a few beers and a nice meal and ive never slept so well in all my life
I'm up there from the 6th through to the 10th, give me a shout if you're there around then Chris
In reply to Post #1
I live in Carnforth mate, next junction down from the lakes area, got married in Cockermouth last year and my missus works in a Florists in Windermere.
Its very busy ATM but September should be fine, go midweek if you can, stay away from usual tourist routs. The Langdales can get busy so for Scafell go from the borrowdale side / wasdale side.
Bowness is very touristy now - if you like real lakelannd villages try Hawkeshead, Coniston, Keswick (out of season)
for quieter walks try over the Western lakes.
I live in Carnforth mate, next junction down from the lakes area, got married in Cockermouth last year and my missus works in a Florists in Windermere.
Its very busy ATM but September should be fine, go midweek if you can, stay away from usual tourist routs. The Langdales can get busy so for Scafell go from the borrowdale side / wasdale side.
Bowness is very touristy now - if you like real lakelannd villages try Hawkeshead, Coniston, Keswick (out of season)
for quieter walks try over the Western lakes.
In reply to Post #6
Glennridding area lovley but Pooley Bridge can be very busy.
Glennridding area lovley but Pooley Bridge can be very busy.
In reply to Post #6
Beautiful place Glenridding mate, stayed there a couple of times in the past. Perfect for a Helvelin walk
Similar to me mate, can't ask for more, nice day walking, couple of pints, nice meal, life's good. It will be all that fresh air that makes you sleep pal. Stunning part of the country.
I'm up there from the 7th, the wife, daughter and boyfriend, be perfect if it was just me and the missus
Might see you about mate, small world
Beautiful place Glenridding mate, stayed there a couple of times in the past. Perfect for a Helvelin walk
Similar to me mate, can't ask for more, nice day walking, couple of pints, nice meal, life's good. It will be all that fresh air that makes you sleep pal. Stunning part of the country.
I'm up there from the 7th, the wife, daughter and boyfriend, be perfect if it was just me and the missus
Might see you about mate, small world
In reply to Post #9
Is your wife ok with you bringing your boyfriend too?
Very progressive for you....
Is your wife ok with you bringing your boyfriend too?
Very progressive for you....
In reply to Post #7
Love Coniston. Used to go camping there when I was a kid, Volkie camper, canoe on the roof etc, happy days round there. For around the last 3 years prior to this Covid situation I have gone the first week of March (prior to the fishing kicking off lol) and stayed in the Waterhead hotel, now the Coniston inn, usually walk the old man and have a few pints in the black bull, nice open fire, one of the best pubs in the country imho, micro brewery won loads of awards, nice little Indian restaurant opened now, can't ask for more, lovely short relaxing break and a stunning place
Love Coniston. Used to go camping there when I was a kid, Volkie camper, canoe on the roof etc, happy days round there. For around the last 3 years prior to this Covid situation I have gone the first week of March (prior to the fishing kicking off lol) and stayed in the Waterhead hotel, now the Coniston inn, usually walk the old man and have a few pints in the black bull, nice open fire, one of the best pubs in the country imho, micro brewery won loads of awards, nice little Indian restaurant opened now, can't ask for more, lovely short relaxing break and a stunning place
In reply to Post #10
I'm sure she will get used to it Mal
How to spoil a good trip eh, invite the kids
I'm sure she will get used to it Mal
How to spoil a good trip eh, invite the kids
In reply to Post #8
Thanks for all the info chaps. I have great memories of walking up the Old Man back in the 90's, i was into photography back then and was up before the sun a few times to get early morning shots over the lakes, lovely and peaceful at that time of day waiting for the light
I was going to do the Scafell walk from the Wasdale side, only problem is its an hour and a half drive from Dockray where i'm staying, considering i want to walk up Scafell i probably should have stayed over that side somewhere but i remember Ullswater being a lovely place to be back then, i guess we've become more car oriented now than back then so i suppose its the price you pay to drive somewhere beautiful.....everyone else has the same idea. i'll be seeking out some quieter places so thanks for the replies chaps
Thanks for all the info chaps. I have great memories of walking up the Old Man back in the 90's, i was into photography back then and was up before the sun a few times to get early morning shots over the lakes, lovely and peaceful at that time of day waiting for the light
I was going to do the Scafell walk from the Wasdale side, only problem is its an hour and a half drive from Dockray where i'm staying, considering i want to walk up Scafell i probably should have stayed over that side somewhere but i remember Ullswater being a lovely place to be back then, i guess we've become more car oriented now than back then so i suppose its the price you pay to drive somewhere beautiful.....everyone else has the same idea. i'll be seeking out some quieter places so thanks for the replies chaps
In reply to Post #12
i'm hoping for at least one good day to do the Scafell walk Chris, thinking of taking my little kettle so if you see some nutter brewing up halfway up it will be me!
i'm hoping for at least one good day to do the Scafell walk Chris, thinking of taking my little kettle so if you see some nutter brewing up halfway up it will be me!
In reply to Post #14
Brilliant mate. You have a fantastic holiday, I am sure you will
Edit, just had a look where you are based Henry. Aira falls in a nice short walk, only a few miles of walking, possibly 2 or 3. Drop down into Patterdale for a pint afterwards, stunning. If you want a more challenging walk, Haweswater onto high street, loop back to the Haweswater hotel, deer on the tops of high street and red squirrels at the hotel. One of my first, done it a few times and one of my most memorable. Lots of options
Brilliant mate. You have a fantastic holiday, I am sure you will
Edit, just had a look where you are based Henry. Aira falls in a nice short walk, only a few miles of walking, possibly 2 or 3. Drop down into Patterdale for a pint afterwards, stunning. If you want a more challenging walk, Haweswater onto high street, loop back to the Haweswater hotel, deer on the tops of high street and red squirrels at the hotel. One of my first, done it a few times and one of my most memorable. Lots of options
In reply to Post #15
Thanks Chris, i checked that area out, looks like some great views from High Street, if the weather stays good i may give it a go, if it doesnt i might give some of it a go and spend more time in the pub!
Hope you and yours have a great time up there mate
Thanks Chris, i checked that area out, looks like some great views from High Street, if the weather stays good i may give it a go, if it doesnt i might give some of it a go and spend more time in the pub!
Hope you and yours have a great time up there mate