We had a cottage just outside Ulverston which was perfectly placed to access most of the Lakes. They fan out from the south so you can drive up alongside the main lakes and enjoy fantastic scenery. The Western Fells, in my opinion the most beautiful and unspoilt of the Lakes are easier to access from the Southern peninsula.
The Duddon Valley is my spiritual home. If you drive its whole length up to Hardnot Pass it is probably one of the most unspoilt and dramatic drives you can do. With some special spots to stop and walk.
There is a drive you can do from the Duddon Valley over the Fell tops up towards Wastewater. It’s stunning.
The Fells, to me, have the same affect as a large cathedral. Driving along the valley bottom the fells rise around you like the carved stone of the interior of centuries old cathedrals.
Can you tell us that it has been a while since we visited. My family are from the area, mainly the Southern peninsula and west coast.
Although Barrow-in-Furness is not a tourist town there is a ship museum if you are interested in submarines or industrial history. There is also miles of unspoilt beaches.
Ulverston is a typical Cumbrian market town unspoilt by tourism but worth a wander round. Like many uk towns it has been hit by out of town shopping but it has a huge Booths, the Waitrose of the north, but much better. And if you want to try genuine local delicacies, meat and potato pies and Wabberthwaite sausage and bacon, head to Irwin’s, a butchers in the town centre.
If you go up in August /September you may be able to buy salt marsh lamb from Booths.
To be honest September was always our favourite month to visit the Lakes when it’s a little quieter. The Lakes are at there warmest so good to swim in.