FOOTLOOSE IN ENGLAND'S LAKE DISTRICT

 
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            A  Nostalgic  and  British  Grand  Tour

 This  wonderful English holiday destination in the north, has been admired by visitors for well over 200 years. This comprehensive tour takes in all the major lakes, and best known towns and villages. 

Our visit was in  June, when Wordsworth reckoned it was the best time to come. If you stay long enough you will see some sunny weather like we did, and of course that was the time to don our walking boots. 
      ~ DVD RUNNING TIME 150minutes!

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AUTUMN/WINTER 2017


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 Part one ~ Windermere
 
 
Ambleside at the north of the lake was a good base to explore, being close to the centre of the National Park. Taking trips on the Windermere steamers is the traditional and best way to see the attractions around the longest lake of the region. First stop at the southern end of Windermere, is Lakeside, where you can see the Lakeside and Haverthwaite heritage steam railway, there's also an aquarium and motor museum down here. Next stop has to be Beatrix Potter's home 'Hill Top', run by the National Trust; it's an atmospheric and very popular visitor attraction a mile away from the west shore. Amongst other attractions on this side of the lake, is pretty Hawkshead, and the curious Claife viewing station from the past.
     You can't avoid the jetty at Bowness, and love it or hate it, the busy Victorian town is thronged with visitors and shops, making it the tourist capital of the region. One mile up the road is the gentler town of Windermere. Just across the road from its railway station is the start of a short walking trail to Orrest Head, a fantastic view across not only Windermere, but the scenic fells in the North.
  
After dropping in to the National Park's Brockhole Visitor centre, we witness the Great North Swim, a major annual event held at the north end of the lake. Touring from our base at Ambleside meant that no visitor attraction was too far away, although driving times can be twice what you expect due to lakeland's winding and narrow roads. A must do is Wordsworth's Dove Cottage and the pretty lake and tourist village of Grasmere. The area around Windermere and Coniston Water is full of attractions and beauty spots such as Skelwith Force, Howe Tarn, the Langdales. The Ruskin Museum at Coniston is also a good stop; here the village celebrates 3 heroes who helped shape the fortunes of Coniston Water: John Ruskin, Donald Campbell and Aurthur Ransome. Making a scenic journey down to the historic market town of Ulverston ends chapter 1.

 


Part two ~ Touring the West and Northwest 

 
 Eskdale and the western lakes are quite remote from the centre of Lakeland, but Muncaster Castle and the enchanting pint-sized Ravenglass & Eskdale steam railway make a wonderful visit on the coast. The railway known locally as 'L'al Ratty' will take you seven miles into the Eskdale valley and give you a taste of the magnificent fells of the District. Next on our tour is the serene and beautiful Wastwater, owned by the National Trust. It's no surprise that we take a walking trail on the shores of this breathtaking lake. The inn at scenic Wasdale, nestles between England's biggest mountains, with tales to tell. Dropping in at Ennerdale Water, another remote and beautiful place, we journey to the interesting and colourful market town of Cockermouth. It's also the birthplace of William Wordsworth. 
 
Journeying back into the National Park we see lovely Loweswater, Crummock Water and Buttermere, another National Trust beauty spot. This is also a great starting point for many walks in this region. Driving up the spectacular Honister pass to the slate mine makes a finale to part two, before descending through Borrowdale to Keswick.  

 
Part three ~ Touring the North & Northeast 
 
 Historic Keswick is the main outdoor centre of the UK with many shops selling camping, hiking and sports equipment. There are many things to do here when the weather is not so good. On the outskirts of town is the Derwent Pencil Museum, perhaps a quirky visitor attraction, 'till you learn that the graphite used in them was first discovered here in the Lake District centuries ago. Derwent is also the name of the lake here, considered by many to be the most scenic in lakeland. There is a theatre here and many pleasure boats to hire. We have chosen our next walking trail to begin on Derwent Water. This then threads its way between several historical beauty spots, the last of which is on a crag high above the lake with amazing views.  Moving on from Keswick you can see the amazing 5000 year-old Castlerigg stone circle. Next is Bassenthwaite, a lake known for sailing, birdwatching, and for spirit drinking...  the Lakes Distillery is nearby with tasting tours!  
 
Cameraman husband Dave wants to see all the major lakes, so next on the tour is Thirlmere. This is actually a scenic reservoir with an uncomfortable history: which should come first, Manchester's water supply, or conservation of two villages which were to be submerged? Leaving this behind, the next stop is the beautiful lake of Ullswater. How better to see the whole of the lake than a ride on Ullswater Steamer's oldest vessel 'Lady of the Lake'? Now 140 years old, she still sails daily along with sister ship 'Raven'. Calling in at several jetties around the lake, you can hop on and off to hike, or visit a beauty spot like Aira Force or Pooley Bridge. Our final major lake is the Haweswater reservoir, another essential water supply for Manchester. In times of drought, this flooded valley shows eerie remains of a lost community. The last stop on our tour of the lakes is at Appleby, just outside the National Park. In early June the annual Horse Fair takes place, a colourful and spirited meeting place for Gypsies and travellers from all around the UK.


GP031 Footloose in England's Lake District ©2017 
Running time: 150 minutes
Aspect 16:9
We consider this film to be Exempt from Classification
Reproduced as DVD-R (PAL-all regions) viewable on almost all DVD players, including overseas. We have found with feedback from customers in USA and Canada that our films generally work on NTSC players too, with few exceptions   ...any computer with DVD software will play also
.


Lake District weather averages  

useful websites:

www.visitcumbria.com

lakedistrict.gov.uk/visiting/placestogo

Dove Cottage & William Wordsworth Trust

Hill Top - Beatrix Potters Home
  
www.ruskinmuseum.com  

Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway

www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk

We recommend hotel bookings by www.expedia.co.uk
or booking.com







                     
©2017 Grindelwald Productions Ltd.