ENGLISH LAKES - STAY FOR LESS "££"

ENGLISH LAKES (LD) are a major Tourist Region in N/ W England, unique for Walking, Climbing & Fresh Air. It is a remnant from the Ice Age, which left deep Lakes surrounded by high Mountains, called “Fells” & with today's picturesque Villages it's a treat to visit. It also has a distinguished Literary past with many English Poets & Writers attracted for inspiration by the majestic Landscape & Scenery, notably William Wordsworth (1770 - 1850) who lived around Grasmere most of his life. It's a "Must Visit" for all GB's to & from home & away & I offer you a Special “Lake District Trail”, based on YHA stays, to experience some of the Best!

ACCOMMODATION

NO 1 -AMBLESIDE YHA, at Waterhead Pier, Ambleside, LA22 0EU (a large former hotel on the banks of Lake Windermere) tele 0870 770 5672 – www.yha.org.uk - £16 pn. in 245 beds ( 43x 2-5 & 16x 6-8 ). Excellent self – catering kitchen & equipment, separate eating area also breakfast & evening meals provided in self-service Café. Large meeting /relaxing room overlooking the Lake with TV? Internet corners, games room, down stairs shower, laundry room etc. This is the main International Hostel in the Lake District & a good one to start at with information desk & booking service for all the Lakeland Hostels in the area.

Note: If you arrive late Lakeland Backpackers Hostel is located near to Rail Station, Windermere, ask Info

NO 2 -GRASMERE (BUTTERLIP HOW) YHA, Easedale Road, Grasmere, Cumbria. LA22 9QG (in a large Country House near to centre of the Village & Lake) - tele 0870 770 5836 – www.yha.org.uk - £16 pn. in 82 beds ( 4x2, 8x4, 2x5, 2x6 & 1x 8/10) stylish self – catering kitchen in annex, also breakfasts & evening meals available in main Café. TV lounge & meeting/games room also laundry/ drying room in cellar. It's a superb hostel in its own large mature grounds surrounded by the Fells.

NO 3 -KESWICK YHA, on Station Road, Keswick CA12 5LH (just outside the main Town Centre, overlooking the Greta River & Park) tele0870 770 5894 - www.yha.org.uk - £146pn.with breakfast, in 91 beds (mostly 3-4, 1x5, 2x6, 1x10) Smart self – catering kitchen on 1st floor, with meals provided in ground dinning room. Lounge also on first floor & laundry, drying room on ground. Located in the Northern Lakes area this picturesque Town & Hostel is ideal to explore Derwentwater, Borrowdale & then to Honister Pass & Scarfell Pike the highest Mountain in England.

NO 4 -HONISTER HAUSE YHA, near Seatoller, Cumbria CA12 5XN (on Summit of Honister Pass - Wow!) tele 0870 770 5870 - www.yha.org.uk - £14 in 4 bed dorms with sheets & sep. showers (when generator started) Modern self-catering kitchen & all mod cons. also breakfast & evening meals provided extra. Main central sitting/ eating room & no TV (hurrah!). This is a unique Hostel, formally the quarry workers living quarters, in a spectacular setting, with the tranquil evenings priceless. This is the peak of GB's "Special LD Trail" before returning to normality?

FOOD for self-catering at Waterhead YHA you've got to walk into the Town of Ambleside where a COOP Supermarket can be found & in Grasmere another COOP branch is on Main Street. In Keswick also you will find COOP , near the Bus Station, which will serve all of your needs at better prices, as here you will also have to stock up for the remote HONISTER YHA. GB found that most YHA's Receptions supply basic foodstuffs if you run out.

TRAVELLING AROUND – travelling to the Area is either by Rail, with its terminal Station in Windermere Town or by Stagecoach Bus Services from Lancaster etc. Then local Busses with regular daily routes around the main Lakes Towns e.g. a special Summer 555 Double Decker Service runs along GB's "Special LD Trail" - Windermere, Ambleside, Grasmere & Keswick, sometimes open top so you get great views on your trip. Then a No 77 Bus will get you to GB's Top Location at Honister Pass. Mountain Goat Mini Bus Tours will get you to more remote areas of the LD. On Lake Windermere cruises on large steam ferries or row yourself boats are available. Also for backpackers the YHA has its own Mini Bus service between the Windermere rail station & most Hostel locations.

“FREE” SIGHTS TO SEE

1. ORREST HEAD - short walk from Windermere Rail Station for first view of the Cumbria Landscape
2. WATERHEAD PIER – Lake Windermere from the YHA Jetty; wait for one of the Steamers to arrive
3. AMBLESIDE – a Tourist Town experience with Outdoor, Souvenir, Eating Shops & local crafts
4. GRASMERE VILLAGE – a delightful Village to walk around with Wordsworth's Grave & Houses
5. HELM CRAG – good first climb in the Lakes to see panorama views from “Lion & Lamb” on top
6. LANGDALE VALLEY - over the hill from Grasmere. to enter the “remote” Pikes & Fells
7. HELVELYN – magnificent “Top” Mountain climb starting from Thirlmere Lake, with “Striding Edge”
8. KESWICK TOWN – another typical Lakes Tourist Town with Outdoor Market & Slate Houses.
9. DERWENT WATER - tranquil Lake with ferry trips & a spectacular views of Mountains & “Cat Bells”
10. HONISTER PASS – “ Top of the World” location with Green Slate Mines, “Screes” & Lakes below

CHARGE SIGHTS NOT TO MISS

1. WINDERMERE CRUISE – Lake Cruises in traditional paddle Steamers - Teal, Swan & Tern
2. DOVE COTTAGE (GRAS) – William Wordsworth lived 1799 - 1808 with new wife, sister & children.
3. PENCIL MUSEUM (KES) - see pencils made, originally from the local lead now safe colours
4. HONISTER SLATE MINE – see the “Green” stone then go deep inside the Mountain to the quarry

*William, Mary, Dorothy & kids Dorothy, William, Thomas, Catherine & Sara - Christian, Donald, Hunter