THE LAKE DISTRICT
WHEN WE WANDER
CONISTON
Intro
NEED TO KNOW:
Road conditions/narrow lanes, suitable for caravans/large vehicles
Early closures
Recommendations
OUR EXPERIENCE/TRIP:
WASTWATER
Wastwater is the deepest lake in England and the mountains of Yewbarrow, Great Gable and Lingmell make the most gorgeous backdrop - whatever the weather, and I have to say that it is my personal favourite lake of the Lake District (so far... as I've not visited all yet!).
NEED TO KNOW:
To get to Wastwater can be quite a nightmare as its down a narrow, one lane track with rugged stone walls and trees either side, and it ends with a dead end - it is not a through road. There is only one narrow road in and one road out. There are passing places - but not everyone is quick to stop.
We advise getting there early and leaving late - so that you're going with the 'flow' of other visitors.
Parking can also be problematic - there is a car park at the very end of the road but this gets very full.
Parking is also not permitted on the verge past a certain point and wardons do patrol.
It is not suitable for caravans/large vehicles.
OUR EXPERIENCE/TRIP:
We've visited Wastwater a couple of times now - and each time we have to 'physc' ourselves up to tackle 'that' road. We often stop off at the 'Saw Mill' for a coffee to calm the nerves before and after. But bellow are some photos that show why it's so worth the journey... and you can read more about our time at Wasdale here or here.
ST' BEES
We're not going to review every little place in the lakes - but this one needs a mention as it very nearly ended very badly for us due to listening to Google sat nav and not pre planning the route - again.
We ended up down a narrow residential road, with minimal passing places - ending at a carpark that had a 1.9m height limit bridge and a car behind us with no turning space - we know we could clear 2m barrier - but this was nervy as it was on a slope and we had no option but to go under. Luckily we cleared by 3inches - and we were ever so grateful for a small van!
So if you do want to visit this beach, check the route, and maybe plan to park at the car park in the main town
here which is further up the beach, the opposite side of the golf course. Not
here.
WHITEHAVEN
As we needed to find petrol and a supermarket - we decided to have a day trip out to Whitehaven . Here there was a big Tesco and Asda, and we drove past a Morrison and B&M Bargains on route. It was a lovely little fishing and mining village, with the buildings being built to look like a castle, resulting in old ruins dotted about. As well as an old knocked down bath house. However everything was closed due to it being a Sunday - and in the middle of a pandemic. Plenty of parking approx 5-2 minute walk from the docks - all seemed to except mobile payment however note if you park in Strand St car park, you only have 10 minutes to get your ticket - it took use about 14 minutes before purchasing a ticket as the machine was not accepting cash, and we had to make an account to pay on our phone and we arrived home to an eye-watering £100 parking fine! (we argued this and had it wavered but best to avoid if possible)
RAVENGLASS
Ravenglass is situated on an Estuary - where a river meets the sea - so not actually on a sea front. When it's high tide there is no beach and at low tide there is no sea!
The 'village' is tiny and so quiet, predominately residential properties, the occasional summer LET guest house, a couple of larger hotels with bars and restaurants and a great pub to watch the sunset - called The Inn at Ravenglass. We only saw one shop, that was closed - but we did visit peak COVID season.
We did find it almost eery, especially when we saw the old sign by the sea about bombs (and heard the faint sound of gunfire whilst watching the sunset one evening). But we also found it to be the perfect place to relax and re charge the batteries, with plenty to do around the local area be it via walking, driving, or taking the steam train.
Roman bath ruin just a 7min walk from the campsite. Come out the gates and turn left and walk until you see it. The road is flat - but a little un even under foot, with the occasional car that drives down.
Muncaster castle is also in walking distance from here, just follow the road past the ruins for an extra 20-30 minuet walk (we didn't manage this however, as Dave was still waiting knee surgery).
The main tourist attraction at Ravenglass would be the little steam train and museum. Here you can get a little steam train all the way to Dalegarth - a perfect hiking destination.
We were a little apprehensive about this at first as Wander hates anything loud and was proper cowering, trying to run away when we were just stood on the platform. However, after talking to the ticket office and being re assured we'd have a carriage to ourselves as well as requesting one with closing doors and as far away from the engine as possible we thought we'd give it ago - after all, she was fine on the boat last year, and it was only a 40min trip. You'll see by the photos below - it took her a while to get used to it, but eventually she settled and wanted to look out the window and sniff all the sniffs out the door.
Ticket's cost us £36 (£18 each, dogs were free - even got a poop bag and biscuits for her ❤️ ) Due to Covid regulations you needed to pre-book and it was one family per carriage - which worked perfectly for us and Wander. Some carriages were all enclosed, with windows and doors, perfect for dogs/small children and others were open bench seats perfect for the photographers amongst us. There is also a museum, cafe, shop and toilets. More information can be found here .
At the other end there are two pubs, offering food and drink, a water mill - which is only open on 2 days of the week - so plan accordingly if you want to visit this and a couple of ice cream shops. There are multiple walks you can do from up here, more info can be found here - however as we visited during Dave's Knee injury time, so we just had a drink in the pub and headed back.
