In a hole in the ground, there lived a hobbit.... Discover the Lake District!
There’s this hauntingly beautiful place in North West England called the Lake District. While unarguably most famous for the picture-perfect lakes, lush rolling hills and gleaming waters (from which it took its name), the Lake District also boasts a whole host of myths, ancient legends and spooky goings on.
From the stone circle at Castlerigg (even today the purpose of these stones remains a mystery) to Bownessie (the unidentified, mysterious creature allegedly spotted in the Lake Windermere) the Lake District National Park remains a true English mystery, and a place worth visiting.
Especially, if you love some spine-tingling ghost stories, rainy weather, Cumberland sausage, fluffy sheep and breathtaking scenery.
If you’re still not entirely hooked on visiting this beautiful corner of the world, maybe my top things to see and do in the Lake District might help. Here we go!
Get Wet in the Rain
The Lake District is the wettest place in England (with more rainfall than even Scotland), so be prepared to get wet (and muddy) in the rain, because you will!
For me, the Lake District becomes somehow more mysterious and supernatural when the rain comes down. The valleys and fells are shrouded in grey mist, the waterfalls surge with extraordinary energy, and the rain when it hits the lake sounds like a distant round of applause. A true Hobbiton.
Look for Fluffy Sheep in the Valley of Borrowdale
In the Lake District, there are a lot of fluffy and brightly coloured sheep appearing (sometimes even in the most unexpected places such as driveways and Bed & Breakfast gardens), so feel free to look for them and hug them (I tried, but I failed). After all, they are so cute and soft!
Drive through the Honister Pass
The Honister Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,167 feet (356 m) above the sea level, located in the Lake District. It is one of the highest (and scariest!) passes in England!
According to some old historical journals, a man named George Smith described Honister Pass in the Gentlemen’s Magazine as “terrifying… dreadful solitude… desolate and waste, like the ruins of a world…”
Needless to say, driving through one of Cumbria’s high passes is a unique experience. The twisting roads, coupled with the unforgettable scenery, make this one of the best ways to explore the Lake District.
Follow Your Sweet-Tooth to the “Chester's by the River.”
Stop here for afternoon latte and cake during your drive (or walk) through the Lakes. Here, the coffee is great, and the cakes are to die for! (Try lemon meringue!)
The location of this cafe is rather idyllic – right beside the river. A real gem in the heart of the Lakes!
Discover New Walking Routes
The Lake District offers perfect opportunities for stunning hikes and walks, from the mountainous Scafell Pike (which also happens to be England’s highest mountain) to a more leisurely stroll around Grizedale Forrest.
Meet the Swans or Bownessie Monster at Lake Windermere
Windermere, at almost 11 miles long, one mile wide and 220 feet deep, is the largest natural lake in England and is fed by numerous rivers.
Feel free to walk around the lake, feed the swans and have a mouthwatering ice-cream!
Or, if you are an adventure seeker, try to spot Bownessie monster (cousin of the other legendary monster of Loch Ness) who is said to have been spotted at the southern end of the lake.
Explore Cobblestone Streets of Ambleside
Rooted in the medieval woollen trade, Ambleside is predominantly a Victorian town, built of dark grey slate.
While it’s a charming, little town and an excellent centre from which you can visit some of the points of interest in the Lake District, it is also surrounded by spooky legends and ghost stories.
For example, two visitors (their experiences separated by 13 years) have reported a strange feeling and mild poltergeist activity around the toilets near the Clock Tower in Ambleside. A bit creepy, isn’t it?
All in all, the Lake District is a real-life wonderland.
Have you ever visited the Lake District?