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Original poster

What do you think of the Lake District?

56 replies

Serfisafleur · 07/11/2018 13:13

We're doing the "leaving the city and moving to somewhere nice" research.

Looked into the Yorkshire Dales and it's maybe. Possibly Peak District.
Now we've looked at some houses in the Lake District. Some of them look lovely and the pictures look gorgeous!

The thing is we're from the south, and have never been to or even driven through the Lake District. At least we have actually been a few times to the YD and many times to the PD so have some idea.

I hear it rains all the time in the Lake District and it's cold. Also bad for shopping. We'll obviously visit if we're serious about it but in the meanwhile,
What's it like to visit/live?

OP posts:
ivykaty44 · 07/11/2018 13:14

Well perhaps check the weather forecast for the next month

SherlockHolmes · 07/11/2018 13:14

The weather is horrible and can really be depressing.

If you want to live around anywhere hilly, then you have to accept that you'll get a lot of rain.

Wenttoseainasieve · 07/11/2018 13:16

I love it, it's one of my favourite places. True, it's not really a shopping destination, but why would it be? It's a beautiful rural area, I think the landscapes are more impressive than the Yorkshire Dales, which I also love. Being on the West of the country it is often rainy, but probably a little milder than the East of the country.

Wenttoseainasieve · 07/11/2018 13:17

I'd consider the Peak District actually if you're looking at relocation. It is less remote and closish to Manchester, Sheffield, Birmingham.

Unescorted · 07/11/2018 13:19

Depends where.... Lake District mainly small villages. Cumbria also has flat bits, cities, large towns and less wet bits.

sossages · 07/11/2018 13:19

It does rain all the time, but the ultimate sign of a beautiful place is that it's still beautiful when the weather is vile.

It's also very touristy and some of the roads get very congested in the summer. Lots of slow caravans on roads too windy for overtaking.

(I don't live there but have endured many soggy camping trips.)

Have you considered anywhere in Scotland? Lots of places in and around the Trossachs are gorgeous, affordable (by SE standards) and less than an hour from Glasgow for shopping.

CountFosco · 07/11/2018 13:19

I've only been a couple of times but I found it far too touristy, much prefer the Dales (I live near the Dales). But I grew up in the north of Scotland so my ideas of 'too many people' are slightly different to someone from a big city!

sossages · 07/11/2018 13:21

Forgot to say, the Peak District is my fave English national park. Unlike the Lake District which can feel a bit like a resort, the Peak District is very much a working landscape still.

Toddlerteaplease · 07/11/2018 13:25

My sister lived there. The public transport is very expensive. And the weather not great. But it's so beautiful that none of that matters!

Original poster
Serfisafleur · 07/11/2018 13:26

This is all really useful thanks. We are dreaming of impressive landscapes, and it's true we don't need to shop all the time, in fact that's half the point. To get away from that, but for necessities etc I mean.

Don't like the sound of it being too 'touristy' tbh.

OP posts:
Original poster
Serfisafleur · 07/11/2018 13:29

Yes sossages I very much love the PD. We were in Castleton then ppl we know from Bakewell were saying "I find it too touristy there" but I find it lovely!

OP posts:
Sirzy · 07/11/2018 13:30

I love it to visit but living there wouldn’t be for me

Original poster
Serfisafleur · 07/11/2018 13:30

We'd like to holiday more in Scotland but not live. So moving further north wld help that.

OP posts:
Original poster
Serfisafleur · 07/11/2018 13:31

Is it well connected in terms of the trains?

OP posts:
BigusBumus · 07/11/2018 13:34

Unless you are avid walker, it is deathly boring.

It takes FOREVER to drive a very short distance due to narrow, steep and twisty roads.

Sure its beautiful, when its not foggy / raining, but I could never ever live there and I live in the very rural Rutland.

Whyiseveryonesoangry · 07/11/2018 13:35

The Lake District is beautiful even in bad weather. But houses are expensive, roads are very, very busy in Summer. Towns are packed in Summer with tourists. We tend to go out of season and avoid weekends and school holidays. It’s a nice place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there.
Lots of lovely villages in Lancashire with gorgeous views and easy drives to the coast or Manchester if you miss shopping too much.

Spudlet · 07/11/2018 13:39

I love it, and I'd like to live there, but we are an outdoors family and we are avid walkers. That said, the transport would be a PITA, especially during the holidays. And I do wonder, when I stay in the busy parts, where locals get their basics - you can buy any number of £300 waterproof jackets in Ambleside, but I don't know where you'd got for a packet of knickers.

I would probably choose somewhere just outside of the Lake District, like Penrith - still beautiful and easy access to the Lakes, but fewer tourists and a few more everyday amenities - like supermarkets. Although that's based purely on brief visits there.

RiverTam · 07/11/2018 13:40

Not being rude but I really wouldn't contemplate moving to somewhere you clearly know very little about.

billybagpuss · 07/11/2018 13:41

I adore the Lake District but would think more than twice about relocating. As PP have said the roads a tiny and it takes ages to get anywhere. It took us over an hour to drive 3 miles into Keswick last May and talking to the locals that was just normal 5pm rush hour. Also it has plenty of lovely local veg etc but not much in the way of main stream supermarkets, most shops are either fudge shops or walking shops.

I would go to Yorkshire, where the Lakes are only an hour a way, easy access to Scotland and plenty of more conventional stores with Leeds and Harrogate and plenty of amazing walking.

Sitranced · 07/11/2018 13:42

I love the area but they're too many tourists which makes everything expensive. Much prefer the Peaks with the close proximity to Sheffield, Manchester, Derby/Notts.

Original poster
Serfisafleur · 07/11/2018 13:52

Not being rude but I really wouldn't contemplate moving to somewhere you clearly know very little about
Well, I moved to Thailand when I had never been there before and knew little about that and it worked out. The LD is at least in England and I am English.

OP posts:
RiverTam · 07/11/2018 13:53

you crack on, then!

adaline · 07/11/2018 13:57

I live just outside of the National Park - on the coast. I absolutely love it - it's peaceful most of the year, the views are amazing and the people are so friendly.

Raera · 07/11/2018 13:58

Love the Lake District but we only visit in winter because of the crowds
(Going on Monday)
If you moved to a touristy area I think everyday getting around would become annoying.
We used to live next to the A12 in Suffolk which is the main tourist route from London to Suffolk and Norfolk. We couldn't go to the shops or anything at the weekends in high season!

adaline · 07/11/2018 13:58

Also it has plenty of lovely local veg etc but not much in the way of main stream supermarkets, most shops are either fudge shops or walking shops.

Eh? There are tons of supermarkets here - not necessarily big superstores but within 30 minutes of Ambleside (for example) you have two Tesco express, a Spar, a co-op, Booths, Sainsbury's, ASDA and Morrison's!