The Lake District - WHY???

[washedoutandabout]

Rain, drizzle and yet more rain. Grey sky, grey houses and damp. Everyone in anoraks. Mist and fog and more grey. Plus I’m here with a bunch of American relatives who are all gung-ho and outward-bound and very loud, shrill “upspeak” voices, who think even the grottiest pub is “Awesome!!” Plus DH loves it and is showing off on his competitive extreme hikes.

Help - take me back to Fulham!

AIBU to think this is hell on earth?

Or this!

Motor museum, aquarium, steam train ride, lots of small independent shops, cafes & restaurants, sports centres, boat rides, bus rides, hotels/spas, beatrix potter house, beatrix potter museums, art galleries, theatres.

Lots of things you can do where you wont get wet! But if you want to stay where you are and miserably watch the drizzle, up to you!

Both of your “rain” pics are utterly stunning WhiteDust.

Good morning! It’s raining.

White Dust - that’s exactly it! I was expecting pic 1. Well hoping for something resembling it, at least.

What makes a landscape beautiful for me is the light. I can be anywhere and get affected by the light., But there’s no light here, just grey.

Oh well, I’ve decided to embrace the dark and moody and the frizz hair look. What choice do I have, really?

Apparently it might be light drizzle only by 12, so no worries!

Get yourself to Bowness OP. Enjoy a day (in the rain obvs) of pottering around the lovely independent shops and boutiques and have a few cocktails in Fizzy Tarte and the Magic roundabout then go for a boat trip and finish off with a nice pub dinner.

I love the Lake District but would find it hard to be enthusiastic if it rained non stop. Hopefully you will have better weather soon.

Both of your “rain” pics are utterly stunning WhiteDust.

They're not mine but they are very much my 'view' 90% of the time... can feel very bleak/depressing after a while!
On clear/sunny days the view does take your breath away though.

Thought of you op, when I've drawn back my bedroom curtains at home here in the lakes ( been here 10 years, love it ) to see it raining !

I’ve decided to embrace the dark and moody and the frizz hair

They're not mine but they are very much my 'view' 90% of the time... can feel very bleak/depressing after a while!

I love bleak

I’m in the north - so, so much of it has the benefit of being amazing whatever the weather!

I felt the same way as you OP when I visited the highlands OP! Barely no view at all because of the mist drizzle... I was very disappointed! We picked the wrong week to go!

Jaques
I wouldn't change where I live.

SO beautiful on a clear day & the views are awesome but we definitely get more than our fair share of rain & drizzle!

Where do you prefer holidaying in the UK op? No offence but if you’re struggling to find any good points in the Lake District I’m wondering what hits the bar for you

ains
OP says she likes Devon/Cornwall

l lived in the Lakes years ago.

Can't do with Kendal Mint Cake - so much sugar, but Grasmere Gingerbread - food of the gods.

Love this thread and applaud the OP for being honest and good humoured despite some of the comments. I live in Scotland and have to travel through the Highlands a lot for work.Yes, the rest of the world thinks its amazing, and it is at times, but often its just a long drive on crap roads with bleak hills, mountains and moorelands occasionally glimpsed through the gloom and driving rain. And dont get me started on winter driving and closed snow gates....
Equally, being in Edinburgh during the Festival is horrendous, mainly because the rest of the world is there. One man's dream is another man's nightmare and all that.

I’m with you @washedoutandabout

Many years of camping holidays to the Lakes with an ex, rained or snowed constantly. I don’t think we ever lasted a full week before coming home. The only decent bit was being able to sit in the pub with a pint after a day walking in the drizzle. The old dungeon ghyll and the one at Wasdale Head are nice if you like spit and sawdust type places with a fire and where you can take your dog.

Other than that. Grim.

It’s hard work in the rain. However I’d make it my mission to seek out tea shops and eat a scone based diet until it stops raining. Visit a charity shop for a book, Booths for wine and hole up indoors if you hate the rain. I’m not keen myself.

Rural and rainy, not my idea of a holiday either OP, I'd MUCH prefer a week in Fulham.

Maybe you are just not a country girl! I love hiking, camping and drizzle. My son loathes all of that and would rather be on a beach or in a swanky hotel. I'm sure I got the wrong baby from the hospital.
Maybe if you are self catering you could cook for everyone and use it as an excuse to stay in all day and read a book.
Grin and bear it and go on the holiday you want next time.
The American relatives sound annoyang though.

I think you need to forgo the hike and head to the shops/ pubs instead.

'Help - take me back to Fulham' is just so quintissentially Mumsnet, I love it!

It sounds like it's you, rather than the LD in this case. Are outdoorsy holidays not your thing then? I haven't been to Fulham in donkeys years but my mum grew up there and couldn't get out fast enough!

Northern dog enjoying the lakes.

OP I hear you.
Lived in Lancs for nearly 20 years and have been to the lakes about 4 times, I hate it.
Dh loves it. Never been to Fulham though.

Its not just one of the most beautiful places in the UK but one of the most beautiful places on Earth . (I have seen a fair amount of places as my 'year out' turned in to 15 years travelling in every continent except Antarctica .)
There is something so utterly beautiful, about a place that can manage to be breathtaking, windswept, bleak AND bucolic all at the same time.
Get your walking boots on OP and get yourself up stickler pike .. pike o blisco or maybe just a gentle gentle amble from Tibberthwait to Little Langdale.. NO WHERE BETTER!!