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Cumbrian Folk - What to see, best pubs, moderate walks?

26 replies

HowlsMovingBungalow · 01/09/2018 19:11

We are off for a camping trip in a few weeks staying near to Kendal. I've never been up to this part of the UK. What are all your suggestions on where to eat, drink and walk and see stuff ? 4 adults ( no children going- ours are all over 18 and sensibly all too busy for camping ) and two dogs so tips need to be dog friendly. TIA

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4forkssake · 01/09/2018 19:38

Masons arms strawberry bank, hare & hounds bowland bridge, brown horse winster, punch bowl crosthwaite

4forkssake · 01/09/2018 19:39

Sorry pressed too soon. They're all places to eat/drink.

NoWordForFluffy · 01/09/2018 19:42

There's a lovely walk round Rydal Water, between Ambleside and Grasmere.

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HowlsMovingBungalow · 01/09/2018 21:06

Thanks 4forks and Noword! It's gonna be pissing down isn't it? We are coming up from Devon ....

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TheCumbrian · 01/09/2018 21:15

Where exactly is 'near Kendal?'

The Watermill at Ings is very dog friendly, but a lot of places in The Lakes are.

All the places '4forkssake' suggests are indeed lovely (probably not massively dog friendly at night though I suspect)

depending on where you are actually going to be I may be able to offer more suggestions.

HowlsMovingBungalow · 02/09/2018 07:19

TheCumbrian - We are camping on a site in Staveley. We are quite prepared to travel all over the area to make the most of our week in Cumbria.

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Almondio · 02/09/2018 07:24

Carmel is lovely for pubs, The Swan at Newby Bridge is also worth visiting for drinks and dinner, also dog friendly.

Ambleside is fab for cafes and restaurants, we recently did a walk over Loughrigg Fell starting and ending in the village, taking in Grasmere and Rydal Water on the way - great views for a relatively short climb.

FaithInfinity · 02/09/2018 08:01

If you go to Rydal water, there’s a cave up the hill that’s worth a vist, at the end of the walk you can stop at the Badger Bar in a hotel near the car park.
There’s a nice short walk from Lakeside down to the pub The Anglers Arms at Haverthwaite and then you can walk or get the steam train back. The aquarium at Lakeside is worth a visit too.

NoWordForFluffy · 02/09/2018 08:03

The bloke who served us at Badgers Bar was exceptionally unhelpful. Reading Trip Advisor afterwards suggests this is common!

However, it was a nice pint when we needed it. Grin

HowlsMovingBungalow · 02/09/2018 09:09

Thanks Almondio! I think will visit Ambleside and Rydal Water for sure. Will nose at your pub suggestion.

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HowlsMovingBungalow · 02/09/2018 09:14

Funnily enough I was just reading trip advisor reviews about Badgers Bar Noword Grin
I'll have a look at your suggestions Faith, really looking foward to a stomp at Rydal and around the caves.

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Namethecat · 02/09/2018 09:16

There is a brewery at Staveley that does a great beer. It's in a mini industry estate ( don't be put off that as it's more a collection of small cottage industry) chutney maker,bakery etc. There is a cafe called Wilfs which is very popular with cyclists and it is absolutely wonderfully fab.

threeicklepickles · 02/09/2018 09:17

If you are near Staveley then you must visit Wilfs in the village, along with Hawkshead Brewery. Both are in the Mill Yard

NannyR · 02/09/2018 09:25

If you want go a bit further north on the motorway (is it the m5 or the m6? Brainfreeze!!!) you could go to Aira Force near Ullswater, one of my favourite places in the Lakes. Stunning waterfalls and walks for all levels and you can continue over Gowbarrow fell if you fancy something a bit more strenuous (but not that hard!) with great views over Ullswater. You could even stop at the famous Tebay services for a picnic lunch on the way there.

HowlsMovingBungalow · 02/09/2018 10:03

We had planned a visit to the Hawkshead brewery as reviews of the restaurant are good. I'll put Wilfs on our to do list - thanks chaps!

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MarthasGinYard · 02/09/2018 10:04

Hardknott Pass

Enjoy

Sandstormbrewing · 02/09/2018 10:11

If you go to Kendal for a day the brewery arts center is worth a visit, the restaurant there is nice too (good pizza) but there's also some lovely little coffee shops and cafes.

The wild boar is quite nice, they smoke their own meat.

Arnside and Kirkby Lonsdale are nice to visit.

EvaHarknessRose · 02/09/2018 10:17

I really like Blea Tarn in the Langdales (I went for a swim, dh and dd1 went for a walk, dd2 read her book). NT car park there is £6 ish for non members.

HowlsMovingBungalow · 02/09/2018 10:48

All of your suggestions are sounding fab!
Yes yes to Hardknott Pass, it looks stunning and a tiny bit scary.

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DigsysDiner · 02/09/2018 11:03

The laal ratty steam train and a walk to the waterfalls are always worth a visit.

DigsysDiner · 02/09/2018 11:05

The swan is nice albeit ridiculously expensive and dare I say it a bit stuffy.

TheCumbrian · 02/09/2018 12:29

Ahh Staveley is lovely. Definitely try the Watermill at Ings then.

Is it Ashes you are staying at (what I know it as locally, not sure what is officially called but it's on Ashes Lane)? If so it's slightly outside Staveley and you have a very busy dual carriage way to cross to get out anywhere. It's a nightmare and I've seen countless close calls over the years there from people pulling out into 60-70mph traffic.

Watch out for your sat nav trying to take you via Burneside as well (the village adjacent to Staveley), it's bridges are still out of action following Storm Desmond in 2015 and the roads are going to be closed for the next month or so while they do some work.

You are quite near Plumgarths where there is a farm shop/bakery and also a sourdough pizza place that deliver.

Wilfs and Hawkshead Brewery are right next to each other but check opening times as they both sometimes close earlier than you would expect in the evenings. The Eagle and Child in Staveley is OK and the newsagents/post office in Staveley 'the beehive' does great cakes, pies and sandwiches to take away.

There's a few nice walks around that area but a good one that will fill a day and is a bit more off the tourist trail is The Kentmere Horseshoe which can start in Staveley.

On the 13th September there is the Westmorland County Show nearby (massive one day agricultural show) and on the 14th September there is a torchlight procession and carnival through Kendal town centre in the evening. If that is when you are here be aware they close the main roads in Kendal from about 6pm onwards on the night. I.e don't try and book somewhere to eat in Kendal that night for 8pm and expect to be able to drive there.

HowlsMovingBungalow · 02/09/2018 17:31

Many Thanks for that TheCumbrian - I think we are at that campsite, it is the caravaaning and campsite one?! Top tips! We are in the area for the 14th so appreciate the heads up on the carnival.

We are thinking Catbells for a mooch to start us off , a walk around Rydal ( We are fairly active with walks on South West UK coast path ) with a view to achieve Haystacks? Is this a viable notion or are we dreaming?

Really appreciate all your input, it is so helpful to get insiders knowledge rather than the mindboggling differences of opinon on tripadvisor!

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HowlsMovingBungalow · 02/09/2018 17:47

Thanks Digsys for the railway tip. So many great ideas, methinks we will have to come back to Cumbria to achieve all your suggestions!

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Namethecat · 02/09/2018 18:17

Haystack is a lovely walk. Park your car behind The slate mine at Honister. It's perfectly doable ( done a few times inc Christmas day )