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?

@MrsCasares Awwwww, what breed is he? Those ears are magnificent!

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....

Oh my gosh that's exactly how I feel where I live!!!

Userxx he’s a complete Heinz 57 from dogs trust.

I've been in the west highlands all week. Rain, midges, fog, wind. Rain again. Water is from a stream and it's brown. Apparently the good weather was just before we came. There's nothing to do unless you like walking up mountains. I don't.
I am grateful for a holiday, but can't help be disappointed it's so miserable.

We had such a lovely time when we went with DCs 6 & 4 & DN & DN 13 & 10. Some walking, bike hire, go ape (1 with the big kids & 1 with the little kids), canoeing, chocolate making in Hawkshead & a meal and badger watching at the Badger Bar. One of our best ever holidays. It rained a fair bit.

@washedoutandabout I totally get you about light and trust me, you do get that in the lakes, just not when it rains! It's all moody when it rains.
You need to check out low wood hotel and go for afternoon tea, it's been totally renovated over recent years and has amazing glass windows to have afternoon tea.
Also second Chester's at skelwith bridge. Beautiful food and gift shop. With a lovely flat mostly buggy friendly path to elter water (pub at the end) but with waterfalls on way you can climb down near to and lovely fells that are even beautiful in rolling mist.
You'll be most at home in lovely shoes at low wood! can chuck dh and the kids in the pool for a few hours

Lovely dog!

We’re not doing the long walk today. That’s tomorrow and it’s along the top of a mountain that’s like a razor’s edge (sorry I can’t remember what it’s called).

I am trying and thankyou to everyone on this thread. I am feeling as if I must be missing something somehow...

We did walk 24 k around London in one day last week (yes really)! That was several museums and Hyde Park thrown in. I really don’t mind walking. I hold my hands up and admit I’m not really a country person though. But I’m staying optimistic thanks to this thread!

There are some parts of the UK I’ve enjoyed eg. the cliffs in Devon / Dorset. North Cornwall for the beaches. I like Bourton-on-the-Water and all the villages in the Cotswolds in that golden stone. The Downs in Sussex / Surrey are pretty, I think and anywhere with colourful thatched cottages. But we tend to go abroad tbh.

In the Highlands this week. Lots of rain! Stuck to our plans regardless of weather. Visited castles, locks, waterfall hunting, hiking, local exhibitions, lots of food, evening drinks etc. Have a 7 year old in tow, and she has been completely adaptable. Hunting waterfalls when it has been raining is brilliant. Even drove to a beach and had a few hours of sunshine for her to play on the sand / sea. Then rock pooling in the rain.

I do feel tired and dreary without the sunshine however but I'd only be complaining it was too hot if I was in Greece etc.

It was voted Britain's 3rd Greatest National Treasure (see other post) so yabu.

You’re just not a country gal. Get back to civilisation and Bayley and Sage pronto!

at the spray painted sheep and rain coming at you sideways.

It’s nice to have a bit of variety, be happy that you’ll get to return to Fulham soon.

On another note, when did we start calling going for a walk hiking?

Scar fell pike??

That's a great walk but can get busy.

OP I get it.
I took the family to the Lakes for a fortnight on hols once and it rained every day except one. It was miserable. We spent a fortune in Keswick on waterproofs and trudged up and down hills bribing the kids with Kendal mint cake every mile. We had to get sit mats so we had somewhere dry to sit down for breaks and used the car as an indoor picnic area. It sucked.

On another note, when did we start calling going for a walk hiking?

I reckon if it's a few hours and involves a scree or much rough ground, then its fair enough.

The rain makes you appreciate a cup of tea in a tearoom much more.
It's not bad weather, it's bad clothing.

I've heard all that before.
I love the Lakes, love walking and hiking in the Lakes....but I hate starting off a walk in pouring rain, knowing that's the forecast for the day and knowing that I would be camping for a week in the rain.

We’re not doing the long walk today. That’s tomorrow and it’s along the top of a mountain that’s like a razor’s edge (sorry I can’t remember what it’s called).

Striding Edge on Hellvellyn - its brilliant!

I'm another who can't understand how anyone can hate the Lake District, but different strokes I guess.

There is something so utterly beautiful, about a place that can manage to be breathtaking, windswept, bleak AND bucolic all at the same time.

Another new word to add to my vocabulary thanks to Mumsnet

“It's not bad weather, it's bad clothing.”

Yes, that old chestnut. It’s one of DH’s stock phrases.

Er no DH, this is what’s called bad weather AND bad clothing. Especially if it’s from Mountain Warehouse.

Such a lovely thread conjuring up wonderful memories from over the years.
First stop George Fisher to trade in old walking boots and purchase new waterproofs for the children followed by soup and scones in Abraham’s with a little play area under the stairs.
Booths for the shopping; so much more fun than Waitrose.
Picnics after hiking up to Watendlath.
Youngest believing sheep were called ‘foot and mouths’. The tragedy of a sheep less landscape.
Building fairy houses in the garden and chasing sheep out.
The children riding at Armathwaite Hall and then a night of luxury there with children whisked off to make pizza and sheep cakes with the chef.
Climbing indoors then them growing up and watching them absail down near surprise view.

The Newlands Valley is so beautiful. We’ve not been for a couple of years but it feels so special and such a part of our life we’re going up later in the year to collect a wedding cake stand we’ve had commissioned at Honister slate mine.

Has the car ferry reopened yet south Windermere does anyone know.

Planning trip up soon and we had to divert considerably to Grizedale last time.

YABU, beautiful part of the country and rain is to be expected in any part of the UK.

Hellvellyn - yes that’s the one!

The relatives googled “Best Walks in Britain” before they came and that one came up, so that’s why we’re here.

I can safely say that this thread has done nothing to convince me to go back to the lakes or the highlands. There’s nothing more miserable than constant rain regardless of the clothing. I’d far rather a week in Fulham!

The relatives googled “Best Walks in Britain” before they came and that one came up, so that’s why we’re here

It's a great walk...Striding Edge is a bit challenging though. There is some scrambling if I remember rightly.