Spending a weekend in The Lakes? Make sure these activities are on your itinerary
We’re all guilty of taking what’s around us for granted, aren’t we?
Instead of recognising the beauty in our surroundings we get sucked into our phones, spending hours aimlessly scrolling through social media for those quick dopamine hits. That is until it wears off and turns into enviously flicking by photos of pals on their holidays…showing off the keys to their new house…or just seeming like they’ve got their life together in general.
But with the glorious rolling hills and stunning natural scenes of the Lake District mere hours away from home, there’s no better reason to switch off, get out in nature and find things that make you feel elation in other ways.
Who needs a vacation in the Maldives when you’ve got fresh air, sailing lakes aplenty, and picturebook views as far as the eye can see practically on your doorstep?
Last weekend, I teamed up with Lexus to test out their all-new RX 450h+ and see just how it faired against Cumbria’s rugged lanscapes. To find out more about why this is the ideal car for road trips around The Lakes, head to the bottom of this article.
For now, here’s 10 tried-and-tested things to do when visiting the Lake District.
Have Afternoon Tea at Langdale Chase
Nestled on the serene shores of Lake Windermere, sits Langdale Chase, a stunning Victorian house and gardens dating back to the 1890s, which has been lovingly looked after and turned into a luxurious retreat here in the heart of The Lakes. Be sure to book a visit to the Dining Room for a delectable Afternoon Tea, inspired by Arthur Ransome’s book; Swallows & Amazons.
Traditional savouries, scones and fancies are freshly made by a team of in-house pastry chefs every morning and hand-crafted with flavours inspired by the beautiful surrounding landscapes, before being served on hand-thrown pottery made by a local artist.
Eat traditional gingerbread from Grasmere
The Grasmere Gingerbread Shop claims to make the ‘world's best gingerbread’ and, to be honest, they’re not wrong.
Open seven days a week to keep up with demand, The Grasmere Gingerbread Shop sees folks from all over the world queueing outside its quaint site in the churchyard of St. Oswald's, eager to get their hands on Victorian baker Sarah Nelson's famous gingerbread. And for good reason, too - the stuff is dreamy; buttery yet spicy with just enough chewiness to still be crunchy.
Go sheep/goat-walking on Birker Moor
A passion project operated by a family-run farm in Ulpha on Birker Moor, Woody’s Woolies is a concept born from the family’s friendly Swiss Valais Black Nose sheep, ‘Woody’, who led the flock and gave the farm the idea of sheep and goat-walking sessions for the public to come and enjoy.
These unique experiences are hosted privately, meaning you can get the most out of your two-hour session, get to know the herd and their owners, Denise and Meghann, and get up close and personal with these lovely, characterful creatures.
Wine and dine at Rogan & Co in Cartmel
Owned by renowned celebrity chef Simon Rogan, Rogan & Co in Cartmel is a must visit for foodies.
Warm and welcoming - not at all stuffy or pretentious like other Michelin-starred restaurants sometimes can be - this is a restaurant that prides itself on quality, locally sourced produce (most of which is homegrown on Simon’s very own farm up the road, Our Farm) while providing stellar customer service in a fairly relaxed atmosphere.
Walk amongst giants in Penrith
A short walk around Penrith’s town centre will lead you up to the Parish of Penrith (St Andrew’s Church). Wander through the courtyard towards the rear side of the church and you’ll find an interesting-looking display of six ancient monuments; two 11-foot high stone crosses and four hog-back stones known as ‘The Giant’s Grave’.
Legend has it that this is the suspected burial site of Sir Owen Caesarius, King of Cumbria. The site gets its name from the human remains which were found there, including what has been described as ‘very long leg bones’.
Sail across Lake Windermere
Another reason to visit Langdale Chase is their 1920s motor yacht, Albatros, which cruises three times a day during the week. Embark on a 90-minute voyage across the lake and discover Windermere like you’ve never seen it before.
This unique sight-seeing opportunity makes for a great way to take in Cumbria’s breathtaking natural beauty from a completely different perspective. Plus, if you’re lucky enough, Captains Rob and Pete might let you have a go at sailing her yourself.
Shop independent in Ambleside
If a spot of retail therapy is a must during your travels, make sure you visit Ambleside and its many wonderful independent shops. You’ll find the town at the Northern end of Windermere, England’s largest lake, where you can spend a good few hours mooching around the windy paths. As well as some larger chain stores - particularly those selling outdoorsy gear in case you happen to leave your cagoule at home (it happens to the best of us) - there’s an array of charming independents, selling everything from local food and drink produce to natty homeware, gifts, trinkets and artworks.
Pick up a book in Pooley Bridge
Pooley Bridge takes its name from a bridge over the River Eamont at the northern end of Ullswater. You can explore this compact village on foot very easily and weave your way in and out of country pubs and gift shops as you do so, but make sure you swing by Verey Books to pick up your next read.
Described as a ‘bookshop for curious minds’, Verey Books is a readers paradise that also has its very own cafe attached, meaning you can buy a coffee and a slice of cake, find a cosy nook and get lost in a story for the rest of the afternoon.
Get thrifty in Keswick
You never know what treasures you might find inside an antique store and, in the market town of Keswick, there’s some absolute corkers to go rummaging in.
There might only be a handful of vintage and antique shops, but what Keswick lacks in quantity it sure makes up for in quality; from ornate Victorian paperweights and pottery at Price Walker to rare vinyls and vintage cameras at Keswick Collectables, be sure to delve deep - there’s a great selection of unique oddities ready to be unearthed.
Unleash your wild side at Lake District Wildlife Park
If there’s one place in Cumbria that’s perfect for monkeying around, it's Lake District Wildlife Park, located less than a 20-minute drive from Keswick town centre.
Open seven days a week and set on 24 acres of parkland, there’s over 100 different species of wild and domestic animals to see and learn about - some you can feed and even get up close and personal with by booking one of the park’s dedicated experiences, such as alpaca walking and more. It’s a great day out for all ages.
The all-new RX 450h+ from Lexus
Lexus’ brand-new RX 450h+ is a powerful Plug-in Hybrid vehicle that combines both luxury and performance.
Completely reinventing the brand’s large luxury SUV, this fifth generation RX has a striking design that is elegant, confident and continues to push technological boundaries to increase its capabilities, making it as reliable for countryside driving as it is in the city.
Image: Lexus
As the first plug-in hybrid electric for this particular range, the RX 450h+ has the luxury of switching between EV and HV at the press of a button; a huge bonus if you’re in a rural area, miles away from the nearest charging station. The EV charging mode means that you can recharge whilst on the move on the HV setting, making for a more economical drive.
The overall design of the RX has also had a facelift. This new model featuring an open, spacious cabin environment with a focused tazuna driver’s cockpit design making every element easily accessible for confidence and control.
A new-generation multimedia system with an ultra-responsive 14-inch touchscreen display makes navigation, reversing and accessing apps in car-mode a doddle, too.
For long journeys, a comfortable drive is, of course, paramount to having an enjoyable trip. Thankfully, the RX boasts ample legroom for the driver as well as front and rear passengers, alongside ergonomic seats and a wide-set chassis, meaning a full vehicle of passengers won’t feel cramped or claustrophobic.
Image: Lexus
This hybrid model is available from £63,345. For more information or to build your RX and get a quote, visit lexus.co.uk.
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