This photo was taken early on a murky October morning from the slopes of Helvellyn. Ever taken a tripod up the third highest peak in the Lake District? Not fun. So we didn't go too far, then drove up to Keswick for breakfast. (It was shut.)
Thirlmere is a long, dark lake used for water supplies to Manchester. Boats and swimming are prohibited here. You can walk along the lake's western shore, in and out of woods, but only return on the eastern side by walking along the busy A road for long stretches.
St Johns in the Vale is a delightful spot. Despite the numerous campsites, it is very quiet and unspoiled. (Maybe because many of the campsites don't run to warm water or showers: that sort of thing is evidently for softies!) There are many footpaths and really pretty countryside to explore here, plus some serious fells (Blencathra and Skiddaw, for example) for the energetic.
Beatrix Potter and the Lake District
Beatrix Potter first visited the Lake District along with her family on their annual holidays. They rented a number of different houses during the summer months around Windermere and Derwentwater.
The success of her books enabled Beatrix Potter to buy land in the Lake District. One of the first was Hill Top, which has since become a famous literary shrine.
This small Lakeland Farm House and the hamlet of Near Sawrey form the the setting for a number of her stories.
The Tale of Tom Kitten and The Tale of Samuel Whiskers are based in and around Hill Top.
Hill Top is open from 3 April to 31 October, daily except Thursday and Friday, from 10.30 with last admission at 4.00pm.
Beatrix Potter married a local solicitor, William Heelis, from Hawkshead, just a few miles down the road from Hill Top. William's former offices are now home to the National Trust's Beatrix Potter Gallery.
The Gallery contains may of Beatrix Potter's original sketches, watercolours and manuscripts. The Beatrix Potter Gallery is open from 3 April to 31 October, daily except Thursday and Friday, from 10.30 with last admission at 4.00pm.
Hawkshead is one of the Lake District's more attractive villages. Howkshead is the setting for another of Beatrix Potter's books, The Tale of Johnny Town Mouse.
It was in Hawkshead that another Lakeland literary figure, William Wordsworth, spent his school days.
A couple of miles from Hawkshead is Tarn Hows, part of the 4,000+ acres of property that Beatrix Potter bequeathed to the National Trust. Tarm Hows is definitely one of the Lake District's most famous beauty spots.
A walk around the tarn takes about an hour, the path is also suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
A shuttle service connects Hawkshead, Hill Top and Bowness-on-Windermere.
At Bowness on Windermere you will find The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction, where the Lakeland tales are brought to life in an indoor recreation of the countryside.
You will see Peter Rabbit tucking into a carrot from Mister MacGregor's Garden and Jemima Puddleduck in a woodland glade. The Attraction is open all year except Christmas Day and from 12-31 January.
You can take a trip on a boat from Bowness on Windermere to Ambleside at the top of England's longest lake.
The boats pass Wray Castle where Beatrix stayed on her first family holiday in the Lakes.
The cruise is a relaxing way to enjoy the stunning Lake Ditsrict scenery.
Ambleside is also home to the Armitt Museum, which contains many of Beatrix Potter's watercolour studies of fungi and mosses. The Museum is open all year from 10.00 to 5.00pm.
A half hours drive north to Keswick and Derwent Water brings you to the location of several of Beatrix Potter's earlier books. The Potter family spent many summers in different homes close to the lake.
In The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin, Squirrels can be seen paddling across Derwent Water to St Herbert's Island.
There are boat trips around Derwent Water with stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Rowing Boats and Canoes can be hired.
Produced using an Agnos MRotator Panoramic VR head, Canon Digital SLT Camera fitted with the Sigma 8mm Fish-Eye Lens, Kaidan QPXL-1 levelling unit & stitched with RealVIZ Stitcher Unlimited.
VR Photography produced with hardware and software supplied by Red Door VR Limited.
Panoramic view photography completed: 30/10/06 18:27:35 File Size: 494.4 KB
Last Minute Hotels in The Lake District, Windermere with Late Room discounts
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