Places to go in the Lake District

Nicola Main · #1 (**permalink**) 07-03-2007, 10:29 AM

Hello everyone. I was wondering if anyone knew of any good places to see wildlife in the Lakes area? We have booked a cottage in the village of Far Sawrey in the last week of August. We also have a dog. If anyone knows of any local walks in the Hawkshead/Windermere/Coniston area that would be great too. Nicola.

Oy · #2 (**permalink**) 07-03-2007, 11:30 AM

Grizedale Forest is in that area and certainly worth checking out.

Forestry Commission - grizedale forest park - home

button · #3 (**permalink**) 07-03-2007, 04:16 PM

Hi,my favorite place in the Lakes for wildlife is Haweswater.At the far end of the lake you can park. This is were the only Eagle in England nests.I have camped wild here many times and seen Eagle,Peregrine,Red Deer,Roe deer,Badgers,Fox,Wheatear,Buzzard,Canada Geese
and one year a Snow Goose.Pete.

Ben! · #4 (**permalink**) 07-03-2007, 04:28 PM

I love going to Ambleside, I go there every year, it's a great place for walks and to see the countryside, and also, Zefferelis sell the best pizza's ever!

It's quite near to Windemere.

SilverSwan · #5 (**permalink**) 07-03-2007, 05:20 PM

Whether you see wildlife or not, Buttermere is really beautiful and well worth a visit. I've seen a bat or two flying over the water at dusk.

goosey · #6 (**permalink**) 07-03-2007, 06:27 PM

Hi Nicola, we will be going to the Lakes again in July. What is our "must" every year is a summer guide available in local news agents for about two pound. In it there are walks and drives, things of interest, town and village maps places to eat, a bit of history and other things you might not get to hear about, it's called "LAKES AND CUMBRIA TODAY" an excellent investment. also you'll be able to pick up lots of leaflets and books on walks for all abilities.
Car parks are expensive but of course if you are members of the NT quite alot are free, as are loads of gardens and properties open to the public.If you are out and about in the car
Castlerigg Stone Circle is a very atmospheric place wuth fantastic views of Skidaw and Blencathra, this is near Keswick as is Bassenthwaite (the only true lake in the lake district) where hopefully Ospreys will return again to nest this year. As Silver Swan said Buttermere and Crummock Water Are brilliant. These are all a bit further north. Tarn Howes is close to where you are and there are lots of walks there as with Rydal water and Grasmere. OY suggested Grisedale forest and you can't go wrong there.
We try to keep away from the tourist areas as much as we can and it's so relaxing.
Have a lovely holiday,

Nicola Main · #7 (**permalink**) 10-03-2007, 11:52 AM

Thank you for all your replies, some really great sounding places there that I have put on the itinerary! Can't wait to visit them, Nicola.

DivvyT · #8 (**permalink**) 11-04-2007, 07:28 PM

Hello Nicola, what a wise choice you have made. This area is a walkers paradise there are literally dozens of footpaths around Sawrey, you could park the car and not need it until you return home. Do a search on the net for "walks and Sawrey" and see how much info it brings up. We may cross paths on our travels as we have a fortnight booked in Far Sawrey from the first of September.

The Woodman · #9 (**permalink**) 11-04-2007, 09:20 PM

Nicola
Firstly get your dog protected against ticks, a course of Frontline or similar, then get out and enjoy the Lake District.
All the places mentioned are great but touristy. Here are a few of my favourites.
Hay Bridge Nature Reserve, privately owned but accessible, south of Grizedale in the Rusland Valley, reached via Bouth and the White Hart Pub. Pop in for a great meal and a pint with Nigel. Reserve has a population of red deer easily seen in the daytime plus many other interests. Grass snakes, otters, honey buzzards if you're lucky. There's a great wildlife museum with artifacts from the founder Herbert Foukes, who started the wildlife ranger scene at Grizedale.
Further south, to the south of the River Leven via Haverthwaite and a lovely walk down the river from Low Wood Bridge is Natural England's NNR Roudsea Wood. Permit from their office in Kendal. Dormice, adders, raft spiders, gunpowder industry remains etc.
Take a walk up the Old Man of Coniston past Levers Water for a view of the southern fells.
Stagshaw Gardens (NT), one mile south of Ambleside on the A591 for some great trees and red squirrels.
A walk up the west side of Windermere from Ferry House to Belle Grange and Wray Castle where you will pass a red squirt feeding station operated by the NT.
The track up from the Tower Bank Arms and Hill Top at Sawrey past Moss Eccles Tarn, Wise Een Tarn etc and all the goodies up there..carniverous plants.....
Black Moss near Ghyll Head Reservoir south of Bowness for Medicinal Leeches, clegs, lizards, adders.........
The pass from Troutbeck over to Kentmere
Humphrey Head for a view of Morecambe Bay from a local nature reserve on the limestone.....
Need more...just ask.
Happy hols.

almostnormal · #10 (**permalink**) 13-04-2007, 03:33 PM

my absolute favourite place in the lakes is ennerdale, because its usually very quiet. its north west of windermere but relatively easy to get to. its also the only lake in the whole of the lakedistrict that doesn't have a road around any of it, but you can walk around it. its also wel worth cecking out hayeswater, which is near to ulswater. its a small water (not a lake) with no roads, and its a very pleasant walk to the water.

i would also strongly recommend (if you don't mind getting up early to beat the tourist rush) going to white moss common and loughrigg fell (there are sheep, but if your dogs as well behaved as mine they won't be a problem). its a fabulous walk, and there's lots of wildlife and great views out across the mountains. you can also explore a bit because its access land.

theres also derwentwater and skiddaw, hich are great, well set up footpaths and another stunning set of views. one of the places i go at least once every year!