For generations the beauty of the Lake District has inspired poets, authors and artists. It is a land of tranquil lakes of all shapes and sizes, quiet wooded valleys and awesome bleak mountains, a land where much of the natural beauty is protected by the National Trust who work hard to keep this a working community of sheep farmers and to keep man in harmony with nature. One of the most deteremined preservers of the Lake District was Beatrix Potter, who used much of her royalties from her famous children's books to purchase vast tracts of land and donate them to the nation. It is a region to be explored not only during the summer when the roads are more heavily traveled and the towns crowded, but also in the early spring when the famous daffodils brighten the landscape and well into the autumn when the leaves turn to gold and dark storm clouds shadow the lakes.
Recommended Pacing:
We recommend choosing one hotel you are particularly fond of in the Lake District and using it as a home base for your explorations. In order to cover all of the sightseeing recommendations you will need a minimum of 4 nights.
From juction 36 on the M6 motorway take the A590 in the direction of Barrow then a few minutes' drive along the A591 brings you to Sizergh Castle (NT), not a mighty fortress but a lovely, mostly Tudor style house, home to the Strickland family for over 700 years. The house is fully furnished- just as though the family has gone out for the day and you are a visitor to their home. There is an excellent tea shop in the old cellar and a portion of the grounds presents an impressive rock garden.
Karen Brown also offers suggestions for itineraries for Cambridge, the Cotswalds, Derbyshire Dales, The Dales & Moors of North Yorkshire and Scotland. Manchester is a convenient starting point for all of these adventures! For a detailed description of the above-mentioned itinerary Auto Europe highly recommends Karen Brown's Guide to England, Wales & Scotland, Charming Hotels & Itineraries.
