The Lakes is so much more than Kendal (outside of natinal park, but lovely town all the same), Windermere and Bowness. Have a soft spot for Ambleside as lived there for 5 years; great base, albeit short of caravan sites, for walking and exploring other parts of Lakes (also, rather dissapointingly loads of pubs but few that you would consider great pubs). Hawkshead is absolutely our favourite place (lived there for 8 years). Great walks, beautiful village, and good pubs (a few miles out of village but The Tower Bank Arms at Near Sawrey is my most favourite pub in the world - Anthony the landlord really knows what hospitality means).
Heading west there's lots to see, but DO NOT under any circumstances think you can get a caravan or motorhome across the Wrynose/Hardknott Passes; sure a fantastic drive in a car (not in winter).
would suggest ennerdale, wasdale, ravenglass all great spots, there area round there won britians best view a couple of years ago. there is a great piece of print put out by the national park called the coast, all about the bit where the lakes meet the sea.
------------- The futures bright the futures ginger.
We've often stayed on the west coast of Cumbria and quite often found the weather is much better than in the actual Lake District itself. We've enjoyed many bright days while the rest of the Lakes was covered in black cloud.
Quote: Originally posted by DanTheVanMan on 26/5/2011
Heading west there's lots to see, but DO NOT under any circumstances think you can get a caravan or motorhome across the Wrynose/Hardknott Passes; sure a fantastic drive in a car (not in winter).
Sorry to prove you wrong but last year we were at the bottom of the pass coming back from Keswick towards Eskdale and watched a LARGE motorhome wind it's way down. It took over an hour from when we first spied them and the queue behind was massive. Also the queue at our side as we couldnt get up till it got down. They managed it then had to manouveure a tight bend at the bottom. We were all agog!!!. When he reached us the guy was sweating buckets and the woman was really upset. I daresay they won't do that again. Wish I had filmed it!