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?

I actually detest London! My partner loves going for a weekend away there, but it’s shit. The underground is far too hot, even in the winter and everything is grubby, grotty and over priced.

Most people look quite unwell, I go a couple of times a year for work and most commuters look like they need a good scrub - it’s like they have a soot like substance stuck to their skin greasy skin (sorry but it’s true!)

The museums are ok, but there are also some fantastic (and often eccentric) museums in hidden parts of the county, with far less people and your bag doesn’t need to be searched on entry either..

I was so pleased when our Airbnb cancelled on us earlier in the year on the surprise trip my DH booked.

We ended up in the welsh countryside and it was fabulous. We had some ok weather but I do appreciate (growing up near the Yorkshire moors) a dramatic hilly country side with some awesome storm clouds in the back ground - and the lack of pollution...

It might be stating the blindingly obvious but anyone wanting to walk in the Lake District should equip themselves with an OS map and/or the relevant apps, to plan possible family-friendly walks.

My recent Lake District holiday - not with children - involved staying at a small hotel used particularly by walkers. People swapped routes and information about paths. There was also plenty of info re buses etc...

@AnyFucker your post about people getting all tearful over the murmuration brought a tear or two to my eye, too. What a lovely thing to have witnessed.

I'd love to live in (or very near) the Lake District.

Ha ha, sounds like the weekend I was there. Took forever to get there and it rained non stop. Any chance you grew up in the countryside? Think that's why I thought it was only average.

It's been chucking it down today but all afternoon it has been fine. We've been at a beer festival at Hawkshead Brewery which is cracking and on the trainline (a stop away from home). Balls to Helvellyn etc. I like a hill but no, not all the locals live in bloody Barrow and it doesn't always piss down.

I don't do walking but I love the Lake District. It is about 1hr-1hr 30 from us. Its my plan to retire there. Its so beautiful.

'All that rain' is the very reason that it's so scenic - beautiful lakes, awesome waterfalls and tumbling rivers. Make the most of it!

They should have left you at home.

I’m with OP. It was totally lost on me and I hate to admit this out loud (so to speak) but when I hear people raving about it being the most beautiful place on earth I immediately assume they’ve never left the UK. But, of course everyone has their own paradise. And I totally respect that. But rain and miserable people is just not mine...

Probably not helped by the 12 hour drive :/

Perhaps I just chose the wrong weekend to go.

OP: you don’t have to walk along the very top of the ridge, there is a path parallel to it on the side of the fell. You do still feel exposed because the screen and heather drops away steeply but at least you have fell to the Left, on the way up.

You can also take the route to Red Tarn and then Swirral Edge which is a ridge less scary than Striding Edge.

Or from The Hole in The Wall you could take the path to the tarn, and relax in the sun while they do Helvellyn by Striding Edge and back down to the tarn from the Swirral Edge path.

If your DH and relatives are competent walkers and reasonably fit and have proper fell walking footwear there is no reason to avoid Helvellyn including Striding Edge. Numerous school parties manage it each year and every child in our family has done it by about 10 years old. Be fit enough for the walk, take care, wear the right footwear.

It is 100% worth it to get at least to Ref Tarn: go for it, OP!

No we do not have this type of rain in London. This is different rain for sure.
Acid rain 😁

Now seriously. I really want to go and I am sure that I would love it. But lots of my friends wouldn't. I loved my holidays in a very rainy and windy Norfolk birdwatching but that is not for everyone either

The countryside I love is somewhere like Provence for the lavender or the Amalfi coast for the sparkling sea and colourful villages. Or New England in the Autumn. The Great Ocean Road in Australia. Or the terraced mountains of Nepal.

But nothing beats a stroll along the Thames towpath! Wandering over any bridge in London, whether the water is sparkling or murky, always inspires me. I don’t know why. The beautiful architecture of all types, from the white stucco of Chelsea to the East End brick terraces. The diverse people. The fact you can stand on Hampstead Heath and look down on all the church spires and still see London as an amalgamation of villages, all with their own character. That’s why nothing beats London for me and I made it my home even though I’m a “forrin” (and I met DH there). Plus London is definitely far north enough for me

But I am having a lovely time in the Lakes now. Thankyou so much and sorry for moaning yesterday, but I was a bit traumatised after the climb and the incessant weather.

“Everything is so steep and awkward”

:)

Yabu- what you are missing is proper gear I'm guessing. The Lakes are the most beautiful place in any weather.

If it's not for you, why are you there?

Everyone knows the lakes = trudging up massive bastarding hills, tourists and monsoon style rain.

Also, Fulham? It's hardly Park Lane.

Give over ya mad bint.

Now there will be lots of people who haven't read the updates

I’m Cumbrian and live 10 minutes from the Lake District National Park. Best place to live and bring up our little ones IMO, feel incredibly lucky to have the fells and lakes on our doorstep. The weather can be unpredictable but today was awesome. Windsurfing first thing then kayaking with the kids this afternoon. Heavy downpours forecast but only slight drizzle now and again at Derwentwater with beautiful flashes of sunshine ☀️ and moody cloudscapes. Get out on a lake and see the fells from a different perspective, there’s nothing like it. Glad the rest of your party can appreciate the beauty surrounding them.

Are you sure there is no-one there? Have you looked all the way down to your toes? When we moved to the country once by mistake we were a good 3 feet taller than everyone else. Perhaps you just can’t see them? PS Fulham was glorious sunshine this afternoon. We had champagne and nibbly bits in the park with some other arrogant entitled people Best of British

I’ve never heard so much nonsense! We love it so much we have a boat and hol home here! We drive two and a half hours to get here every weekend! I adore the lakes!

Can't see them? As an average 5ft 9" bumpkin, I often think that in cities - polluted air definitely stunts growth (but you all look cute af down there)

The Lake District over Fulham EVERY time. If I had to live in a concrete jungle I’d shrivel up and die

You sound like a bore. For gods sake enjoy life, it's short.