Lake District for first timers?

[Girloutdoors]

We are looking to book a lodge in the Lake District in August. Penrith.

Thinking of booking just 4 nights as a bit of a taster. Will be me, dh and the dc 10 & 15.

Any recommendations of things to do and see? Definitely want to get some walks in but probably not hours and hours. We've all got boots but will we need all the gear for August?

Penrith is right out on the edge of the Lakes. Nearest place is Pooley Bridge, a v nice village at the tip of a lovely lake (Ullswater). I’d drive into pooley, walk down to the lake, and catch the steamer down to the far end or to partway along and walk back. https://www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk/
Nice pubs there as well and a gin shop.

Lots of places to walk around there too - Hallin Fell is close, Blencathra is further along but quite sizeable and a good walk. Keswick is a brilliant lakes town, quite easy to get to from Penrith. Castlerigg stone circle and Aira Force waterfall are near too.

Get the NE lakes and NW lakes OS maps and see what walks there are (Google for ideas depending on length etc). There are loads of possibilities, depends what you’re up to.

Good you’ve got boots. Sensible walking clothes are layers, things that dry quickly. Doesn’t have to be anything special but don’t wear jeans or cotton slow drying trousers, take multi layers in a backpack and water and a waterproof cos it can still unexpectedly rain. Map and snacks.

I'm local. The weather is always shite in August. You'll need waterproof jackets and trousers for walking.

Glenridding is a pretty village the other end of Ulswater with some nice walks / pubs etc. Haweswater is not too far from you and is probably the quietest lake in the Lake District. It's very pretty and there's lots of wildlife there, including deer.

Keswick is our favourite Lake District place

The South lakes is often quieter and has many great places, some ideas here
https://www.donthibernate.co.uk/route-9-the-lakes/

If it rains, check out rheged. It's just outside of Penrith.

Brougham Castle is worth a look too, and you can take in Brougham Hall on the same day (again, just a couple of miles from Penrith).

Where are you staying?

Found somewhere called Flusco Wood.

Not really sure where we should stay but this place looked good and seemed reasonable. Don't want to be too far out though.

We go to the lakes a lot and usually stay in Keswick but stayed near that Flusco Wood site recently (Ullswater Heights - would recommend!) and it was quite a bit cheaper and still very nice. Good location for supermarkets in Penrith but not far to Ullswater. I'd recommend doing a drive down to Keswick for the day as there's loads to do. My dd loves the park there with the mini golf and the pencil museum is great (even though it sounds extremely boring!!)

Flusco is just off the A66 which is the main route between Penrith and Keswick, from Keswick you can then access further into the northern lakes or down to the central and southern lakes.

The closest lake to there is Ullswater - Pooley Bridge at one end, Glenridding at the other - you can also access the southern lakes from Glennridding by driving over the Kirkstone Pass.

The lakes weather can change quickly - and one valley can be in sun whilst the other is raining. If you venture up onto any of the fells, or just go for a walk you should have some waterproof clothing with you, even if you start in sun.

What sort of things are you hoping to do? There are lots of things to do in the Lakes, from just going to pretty villages and towns to boats on the lakes to fell walking to climbing etc!

Forgot to add in the previous post, and too late for edit sorry! As Ullswater is the closest lake to you and you wish to walk, Hallein Fell has been suggested, however I would be tempted to drive to Glenridding - jump on the Ullswater steamer to Howtown, then walk back to Glenridding on the Ullswater Way. It is a lakeshore path (you can add in Hallein if you wish as you go past it) but it is by no means flat! Great views and a real introduction to walking in the Lakes.

The steamers also go to Pooley Bridge and Aira Force on Ullswater, where there are also walks. Aira Force is good to go to - a short walk to to see waterfalls, you can do longer walks from there too - Gowbarrow Fell is worth a wander onto.

If you want fab views with easy effort, drive to Keswick, then drive to Gale Road (you will see it on a map or satnav), from there it is about a 15-30 minute walk up to Latrigg. You can also walk from Keswick all the way up but obviously will take longer.

Lowther Castle is near to where you're staying and is fab - especially the Lost Castle. We took 15 - 18 year old there last year and enjoyed it just as much as when they were younger. It's fine for a dampish day too, just not when it's pouring down.
Agree with others to always pack a waterproof coat here, but we never have waterproof trousers - as long as you're not in jeans, leggings and walking trousers dry out pretty quick.

Thank you it looks like some great advice here.

As for what we want you to do. Some scenic walks. We are well used to walking in all weathers. But also don't want to be going for several hours getting too lost. So manageable walks.

Probably a mooch round a nice town and a coffee/meal out.

Maybe a boat ride.

Wildlife spotting. Did read about a bird of prey centre. Any museums/castles.

As the pp said Lowther is good - castle, lovely gardens, nice flat walks, very dog friendly plus inside and out cafe - inside allows dogs.

In the south of the county is Sizergh Castle, NT - gardens and cafe dog friendly plus lots of walks on the estate - it is a bit far from where you are though.

Museums, the pencil one in Keswick just for something different - once again dog friendly. The Jetty Museum in Windermere is also good - dog friendly. Bluebird K2 has just returned to Coniston and is in the Ruskin museum which is worth a visit. Coniston is lovely, launches on the lake and nice walks. The steam yacht gondola also goes on the lake and is lovely.

In addition to the Ullswater Steamers there are also the launches on Derwent in Keswick - there are numerous stops around the lake and there are easy walks you can do between the stops on slightly further afield.

Wear lots of sunscreen on steamers. The breeze might be cool, but the sun bouncing off the lake can be lethal.

We like Grizedale Forest for marked walks. Aira Force waterfall and a boat on Ullswater same day. Also love driving over the Hardknott Pass and Wrynose to Wast Water. Only drive if you’re confident… Head to the end for a tiny church and as a base for hiking.

Love the Lakes! It’s beautiful when it rains too.

PP mentioned Grizedale - Whinlatter is the twin but will be closer to you, it is just outside of Keswick. There is also Dodd wood which is close by, but a bit smaller.

Whinlatter has a dog friendly cafe and fab walks, also cycle hire.

Catbells, further around Derwent Water from Keswick is a popular fell walk, with great views.

I would recommend Hallin Fell or Latrigg both fairly short steep walks but rewarded by fab views and don’t take all day.

Lowther Castle is lovely for a day out more of a ruined castle with lovely gardens to walk around but they now have made a large play area there aimed at much younger kids and upped the entrance charge. Askam is nice nearby and lots of free walks.

There is a Go Ape not too far away.

Paddle boarding.

Go into Keswick for the day lots of eateries and a walk by the lake etc.

Nice Railway carriage cafe at Bass Lake look on line but would recommend booking.

Supposed to be a nice flat walk from Keswick to Threlkeld but haven’t done it yet.

Ooh yes I like Threlkeld museum if you like little steam trains and mining museums. Very much labour of love place. Loved it.
Echo the Dodd walk suggestion - we did it in rain which wasn’t ideal but might be better if it’s not hailing.
Steamer / boat on lake, plus mucking about at lakeside throwing stones in
Walk up something with views (Dodd, latrigg, Hallin fell - Catbells is beautiful but it was so crowded at Easter, it is bound to be worse in August)
Castle - lowther
Town - potter in Keswick, call in to castlerigg stone circle on the way, and go down to derwent and maybe short walk around the lake.

Ta da - 4 days.