Lake District Resources
The Lake District
The Lake District is an area of exceptional mountain scenery, where wild fells soar high above the fourteen lakes in the region. It is home to England’s highest mountain, Scafell Pike, and England’s largest and deepest lakes, Windermere and Wastwater.
Walking in the Lake District can be one of the most pleasurable experiences. The delightful freshness of spring, with ‘Wordsworth’s’ daffodils, young lambs, blossom on the trees and fresh sweet grass on the fells contrasts with the glory of autumn when the fells take on a mellow look, with orange and brown and then the crispness of a cold, bright, cloudless winter day, with snow on the ‘tops’.
The high fells offer various expeditions including knife-edge ridges such as Sharp Edge and Striding Edge, and ascents and traverses of fells such as Skidaw, Blencathra, High Street, Helvelyn, Bow Fell and The Old Man of Coniston. For those who prefer lower-level and less demanding walks, plenty of paths offering stunning views can be found in the 'Short Walks in Lakeland' series, covering the southern, northern and western Lakes.
Climbers and scramblers can find challenging and exciting routes, including classics such as Napes Needle, and the crags of Borrowdale and Langdale. Scrambles in the Lake District Volume 1 covers the southern Lakes area; Volume 2 the northern Lakes. Winter climbing possibilities are endless – provided we get snow and ice!
The formation of the Lake District region stretches back for over 500 million years. First subject to volcanic activity, then followed by the glacial and river erosion and deposition which further shaped the landscape. It has been inhabited since the end of the last ice age and there are many remnants of past activity and industry, including prehistoric stone circles, monuments, Roman roads and forts. It remains the home of wildlife such as red deer, ravens, eagles and red squirrels.
Useful websites:
www.lake-district.gov.uk
www.lakedistrictlandscapes.co.uk (Prints and posters of mountain scenes)
www.frcc.co.uk (Fell and rock climbing club)
www.fld.org.uk (Friends of the Lake District)
Tourist Information:
www.visitcumbria.com
www.lakedistrictoutdoors.co.uk
www.amblesideonline.co.uk
www.golakes.co.uk
www.keswick.org
Accomodation:
www.lakeland-hideaways.co.uk (Self catering in and around Hawkshead)
www.heartofthelakes.co.uk (Holiday cottages)
www.lakelandcampingbarns.co.uk
www.lakedistrict-stay.co.uk
www.cumbrian-goat-experience.co.uk (Holiday Cottages on a working goat farm)
Guided / Self guided trips:
www.wandering-boots.co.uk
www.classicfellwalks.co.uk (Guided walks)
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