Lakes - Hidden gem suggestions

[Sosigsandwich]

My husband and I are off to Bowness for 5 days in October. We've been a number of times before and so far this time we fancy doing Tarn Hows with a stop in Ambleside or anywhere else en route. Any suggestions for things we can do? Places to eat?

We plan to visit Wray Castle and walk to Claife viewing station... Is the walk worth it?
Also after suggestions of experience days. Happy to give anything a go, for example we have done blacksmithing, glass blowing, llama trek, pottery etc.

Many thanks.

Sorry I didn't make my last message clear... I meant rethinking going to Tarn How/ Drunken Duck as on street view it looked like a lot of single track roads. Or is that not right?

They’re definitely narrow, but not many of them are properly single track. You can squeeze past most vehicles along most of the way, or reverse back to a wider bit if necessary.

That's really good to know, thank you. I only have a small car so should be fine 😀

For activities if you want to try something different and are feeling adventurous why not have a go with Lake District Gyroplanes or go on the via ferrata at Honister. If you want something more tame book afternoon tea. The Daffodil at Grasmere does an amazing one. A nice walk is Gummer's How, you get great views of Windermere up there without a long walk. For food The Wild Boar Just south of Bowness is a good option that's a bit different.

Very old thread but could you recommend some running routes near Ambleside please?

Another one who thinks that you really will not get a 'hidden gem' - they just do not exist in the Lakes. Remember that Lakes and Peak are within the top 10 most visited National Parks in the world.

Now, if you stay in Penrith and explore the Eden Valley....or head to Pennines, or Northumbrian hills, or Borders, or Galloway, even Sedburgh and the Howgills...

I see your point.
I find when people go to the Lakes they come off the motorway and head for Ambleside etc, but I turn left and go to the other side to the less popular places which are as good if not better. Its a very good point re the other places, many are just as good, Trough Of Bowland would be my choice as its just so quiet. The other thing I see is people go to places but pass loads of great stuff on the way but never go?
I have recently been to the Scottish Boarders what a lovely place we will return again.

Exactly @Funf - The UK has so many gems, but people are drawn into both the 'honey pots' promoted by businesses and tourism organisations (Who are funded by those businesses...). There are so many stunning areas of the UK, with some brilliant days out, walks, coffee shops, wee craft and creative businesses etc, but you have to look beyond the obvious and the Instagram posts to really find them.
Some of my favourite places are almost 'off radar' for tourism promotion, as nature does not have a marketing budget and the smaller, creative and unique businesses also struggle for that.

Meanwhile, Instagram and tourism bosses promote a false sense of 'get away from it' and 'secrets'....
The best example is the stupid images of the 'secret swimming spot in Glencoe which is doing the rounds. When I drive past you see the queue of people waiting to have their image taken without a car on the road and no-one else in the picture - yet behind the camera are 20 people waiting, a car park hidden with 100+ vehicles, more folk on the road looking at the waterfall....it is chaos...