Here area few things that we like doing in our spare time in the Lakes. We have tried to include things you wouldn’t ordinarily find in the tourist information centre. We hope you will enjoy them too.
Considered by some as the most beautiful valley in the Lake District the Borrowdale Valley has some of the best wild swimming holes in the Lakes. Just a hop skip and a spolsh away from Long Valley Yurts at Hollows farm it make s for a great day out, rain or shine.
Galleny Force:
GR NY 274130. A great place to picnic as well as a invigorating dip in the waterfall and swimming holes.
Blackmoss Pot:
GR NY 267110. A deep pool with a remote feel. Great for swimming, jumping and picnicking.
A quieter part of the Lakes but no less beautiful, the River Duddon has some fantastic swimming holes. The drive there form any of the Long Valley Yurts sites is stunning, especially if travelling over the Hardnott and Rynose passes.
Ulpha Bridge:
GR SD 197929. Only the brave will dare to jump into the deep pool from the bridge. A long stretch of deep pool and shallow areas are ideal for swimming and paddling. Also ideal for picnicking or just generally relaxing.
Birks Bridge:
GR SD 234993. A gorged section of the stream provides ideal swimming in crystal clear waters.
Just down the road from the Yurts and Bell Tents at Great Langdale and Low Wray, Coniston water is a fantastic spot for a bit of picnicking on one of its many beaches. Or for the bold a dip in the Lake, brrrrrr! Or, home of the All England Stone Skimming Championships, why not try your hand at beating the record. See http://www.conistonwaterfestival.org.uk/page_detail.cfm?id=11 for rules and regulations. Have fun!
Grab the BBQ, a Cumberland Sausage ring, some fresh bread rolls and a coupe of bottles of local ales and your set. If you staying in the Bell Tents or the Yurts at Low Wray or Great Langdale then the drive up the ‘Struggle’ over the Honister pass to get to Ullswater is nothing short of stunning. Ullswater is surrounded by small secluded gravel beaches ideal for BBQing late into the evening.
If sampling the local ale is your thing then the Lake District definitely has its fair share of micro breweries and growing array of local beers. There are currently 24 beer breweries and two cider makers, whose tasty tipple you could sample after a long day in the mountains. Have fun trying to find them all and more importantly finding your way back again! Here are a couple of links to some of our favourites;
Hawkshead Brewer, see: www.hawksheadbrewery.co.uk.
Jennings Brewery, see: www.jenningsbrewery.co.uk.
Consiton Brewery, see: www.conistonbrewery.com.
Tirrel Brewery, see: www.queensheadinn.co.uk.
The Watermill Inn, see: www.watermillinn.co.uk.
Why not try some of Grasmeres famous gingerbread. This is the only place in the world you will be able to buy it. Great with a brew after a hard day in the mountains. See www.grasmeregingerbread.co.uk for more information and directions.
A must do if your coming to Cumbria. A classic British made sausage made with roughly chopped meat and lots of pepper. Traditionally comes in a coil and is great on the BBQ, best consumed with a bottle of local ale! Available from any good local butcher.
Famous for having been carried to the top of Mount Everest in May 1953, on the first successful expedition to the summit Kendal Mint Cake can now rank as one of the world's most travelled sweets. Why not take some with you on your ascent of some of the Lake District Peaks. Available in almost every shop in the Lakes!
Staveley Mill Yard is a former Bobbin Mill, which is now used for a variety of unique local shops and artisans. It is situated in the centre of the village of Staveley, Cumbria, just off the main street.
The Mill yard has something for everyone:
The largest cycle store in England, see www.wheelbase.co.uk.
Bespoke outdoor kit and equipment, see www.aiguillealpine.co.uk.
For budding chefs, see www.lucycooks.co.uk.
Bespoke and very unique furniture make, see www.outofthewoodsinteriors.co.uk.
For award winning local beers, see www.hawksheadbrewery.co.uk.
Plus lots more!
It is also the home of Wilf’s Café, a name synonymous with the Lake District and outdoor events. It without doubt serves the best chocolate brownies available in the Lakes. If your on your way to stay in the Yurts or Bell Tents or on your way home its definitely worth a stop. See, http://www.wilfs-cafe.co.uk/about-us.html for more information and directions.
About a mile up the road from the Long Valley Yurts – Hollows farm site Shepherds café is a local legend. Set under Sheperds Crag (beside Borrowdale Hotel), it provides good basic food at fantastic prices. Great breakfast and a fantastic selection of home made cakes, views over Derwentwater, what more could you ask for. A fine way to spend a few hours of the day!
If you have managed to make your way around all of the above then you won’t have enough energy to anything else but stargaze. Zero light pollution means you can sit back and see more stars than you thought imaginable. If your staying in the Yurts you won’t even have to go outside as you will be able to see right through the crown.
Some Great Swimming Holes
Galleny Force and Black Moss Pot
Galleny Force:
GR NY 274130. A great place to picnic as well as a invigorating dip in the waterfall and swimming holes.
Blackmoss Pot:
GR NY 267110. A deep pool with a remote feel. Great for swimming, jumping and picnicking.
Ulpha Bridge and Birks Bridge, Duddon
Ulpha Bridge:
GR SD 197929. Only the brave will dare to jump into the deep pool from the bridge. A long stretch of deep pool and shallow areas are ideal for swimming and paddling. Also ideal for picnicking or just generally relaxing.
Birks Bridge:
GR SD 234993. A gorged section of the stream provides ideal swimming in crystal clear waters.
Cool picnic and BBQ spots
Picnic/bbq on the beach at Coniston Water
BBQ on the beach at Ulswater
Some Local Delicacies
Local Ales
Hawkshead Brewer, see: www.hawksheadbrewery.co.uk.
Jennings Brewery, see: www.jenningsbrewery.co.uk.
Consiton Brewery, see: www.conistonbrewery.com.
Tirrel Brewery, see: www.queensheadinn.co.uk.
The Watermill Inn, see: www.watermillinn.co.uk.
Gingerbread from Grasmere
Cumberland Sausage rings
Kendal Mint Cake
A Couple of Great Cafe’s With Soul
Wilfs Café and Staveley Mill Yard
The Mill yard has something for everyone:
The largest cycle store in England, see www.wheelbase.co.uk.
Bespoke outdoor kit and equipment, see www.aiguillealpine.co.uk.
For budding chefs, see www.lucycooks.co.uk.
Bespoke and very unique furniture make, see www.outofthewoodsinteriors.co.uk.
For award winning local beers, see www.hawksheadbrewery.co.uk.
Plus lots more!
It is also the home of Wilf’s Café, a name synonymous with the Lake District and outdoor events. It without doubt serves the best chocolate brownies available in the Lakes. If your on your way to stay in the Yurts or Bell Tents or on your way home its definitely worth a stop. See, http://www.wilfs-cafe.co.uk/about-us.html for more information and directions.
Shepherds Café
Astronomical Rubbernecking
Stargazing
Search engineered by Magic Beans
~ Yurt Holidays ~ Lake District Camping ~ Luxury camping Holidays ~ Lake District Holidays ~ Alternative Camping ~ Bell Tent Holidays ~ Luxury Bell Tents ~ Long Valley Yurts ~
----------------------------------
~ things to do in the lake district ~ activities in cumbria ~ activities in the lake district ~ visiting the lakes ~ tourist information ~ fun things to do ~ great tourist places ~ wild swimming holiday ~ wild swimming spots ~
----------------------------------
~ Yurt Holidays ~ Lake District Camping ~ Luxury camping Holidays ~ Lake District Holidays ~ Alternative Camping ~ Bell Tent Holidays ~ Luxury Bell Tents ~ Long Valley Yurts ~
----------------------------------
~ things to do in the lake district ~ activities in cumbria ~ activities in the lake district ~ visiting the lakes ~ tourist information ~ fun things to do ~ great tourist places ~ wild swimming holiday ~ wild swimming spots ~
----------------------------------