The biggest little hike in Cumbria.

Gummer's How from Windermere (literally in it)

There are lots of motivation posters carrying messages along the lines of "The best views only come from the hardest climbs" - well Gummer's How proves them all wrong.

Located at the bottom end of Windermere this diminutive fell is just 321m high and, as if that wasn't tiny enough, you can drive up the first 200m.

From the car park there's a clearly signed route which starts off as a nice gentle amble through the woodland before reaching a flight of stone steps.  At the top of those you can choose to take the gently ascending track that winds around the back of the fell, or enjoy the slightly more scrambly route to the summit (honestly, it's really not tricky and most kids love it).  Once you're there, you'll be rewarded with views sweeping from Morecambe Bay to the south, all the way around past the Coniston Fells opposite and up along the length of the lake to the high peaks of the central fells in the north.

Scrambly route

Stone steps

Well signposted but not well spelled

Worth it for the views

It's generally overlooked by serious hikers as it's a really short and easy hike - but that makes it perfect for families or a quick blast after Sunday lunch, or for those still confined to low level hiking for the time being...

It's also perfectly positioned for catching breathtaking views of inversions.  It was where we saw our first and we regularly pop back there through the autumn and winter months - it's especially gorgeous after snow.

Wonderful winter woodland

My first ever inversion

Stunning snowy inversion

First folks up there in the snow - stunning!

WRONG!

Why mention it now?  Well, during the summer months there's lots of folks looking for family friendly walks and this one is great.  There's a large free car park and stunning views from the start.  Once you're done you can drop down to Fell Foot Park for a picnic, or a swim, or a BBQ, or a spot of boating, or just lazing on the grass with a good book and a flask of tea (or something stronger if you've persuaded someone else to do the driving!).

Talking of cars (you see what I did there?) we want to say a HUGE thank you to Vantage Citroen in Morecambe who let us play with a Cactus RupCurl this weekend.  We normally drive an ancient Freelander with intergalactic mileage so it was lovely to have something sporty, fun and clean for a change!  Mind you, I did miss the assortment of strange knocking noises we've grown accustomed to...

The RipCurl was immense fun and we gave it a good workout - I particularly liked the fact it turned on a sixpence - not that I ever get lost or anything...  (am I the only person who continually argues with their satnav?)  Anyway, here's a few pics to give you an idea of what we did to their lovely car...

Next to Gummer's How

Overlooking Windermere

On the beach - complete with tiny man flying a kite on the bonnet

Mission Control

Checking the rear view camera...  :-)

5 Perfect Picnic Spots in the Lake District

Maybe I'm getting all excited and carried away by all the lovely warm weather, but my mind has turned to long hot summer picnics.  Now I've had many a soggy sarnie on a windswept fell top, but I'm also very partial to a proper picnic and have a very lovely posh picnic rucksack which is just about to get dusted off ready for the months ahead.  Below are five of my favourite spots, some of them are a short hop from the car whereas others require a bit of a walk, but all of them are worth a visit.  (And it should go without saying, always take all your rubbish home with you, even fruit peel, and don't light BBQs on the ground, build bonfires or do anything else which might damage the environment.)

1. Ullswater

View from the top of Hallin Fell

Now this can be a short or a long walk depending on what sort of mood you're in.  The bench in question lies along the public footpath as you head out of Howtown towards Glenridding and provides the most perfect spot from which to enjoy the comings and goings on the lake below.  If you want to make a day of it take the steamer from Glenridding all the way to Pooley Bridge and follow the lakeside footpath back to Howtown; it's a fair old walk but stunning views the whole way.  If you're planning to continue your walk all the way to Glenridding then it's the perfect excuse to pack a few extra cakes.  Of course if you're not in the mood for a long hike then simply take the steamer to Howtown; the bench is less than a 5 minute walk away from the jetty - follow the lakeside path towards Glenridding and at the top of the steps turn right.

View from the bench

If someone else has read this blog and nabbed the bench ahead of you then fear not - you have 2 options still open to you.  Option 1 - return along the footpath, keep going past the top of the steps and grab the second bench you see OR if you've packed a picnic rug (or have a jacket handy) you can take a wander up the flanks of Halin Fell and find yourself a nice little spot on the grass, just be sure to keep an eye on any boiled eggs or tomatoes lest they take flight and roll away down the hill.


2. Hol Beck/ Skelghyll Lane

Perfect picnic spot just behind that tree.

Don't let the "Skelghyll Lane" name fool you; these days it's a rather lovely old farm track winding around the bottom of Wansfell.  (It's also part of the old Roman Road which leads up and over High Street to Penrith).

This pretty little spot is a relatively gentle hike from Town End (where you'll find a couple of laybys for parking), or a slightly steeper hike from Ambleside.  From either direction it's only about a mile and for the views you get over Windermere it's well worth the effort.  When we first found this spot we stopped for our sarnies and within 5 minutes another couple came past and told us how it was their favourite picnic spot, but that's not a problem as there are plenty of rocky outcrops around so room enough for everyone.  (There are no benches here so be sure to take a rug if you don't like sitting on rocks or grass.)

As it's such a short walk from Ambleside it makes for a perfect summer evening picnic; you can watch the sun begin to set over the fells and still be back in town within half an hour or so before it gets dark.  Or maybe that's just the old romantic in me talking...

Sunset over the fells.

3. Fell Foot Park

View from the water at Fell Foot Park

If a hike and a picnic rug isn't your idea of a picnic then how about a proper park with picnic benches, toilets and a cafe?  Fell Foot Park is on the most southerly point of Windermere and is owned by the National Trust.  There's a large pay & display car park though if you're a member it's free.  I'll be honest, this place gets very busy during the summer months but at around 5pm it empties and you can pretty much have the place to yourself.  There are toilets, plenty of places to sit and, if you visit during the day, usually some attractions for the kids (details will be on their website here.).  It's also a popular place for taking a dip in the lake though remember this is still open water and boats etc. will be passing through.

4. Walna Scar Road Car Park

NOT the exact view from the car park but
pretty close

OK, I'll admit it, this doesn't sound like the prettiest picnic spot on earth, but trust me, it's the perfect way to enjoy a picnic in the fells yet only be a few yards from your car.

The car park is along a steep single track road on the hills just to the south of Coniston.  The car park is quite large but unsurfaced so expect it to be bumpy, it's free to park but does get busy, mainly with hikers.  If you're timing your visit much of the traffic is going up the single track road in the mornings and down in the afternoons, but it's far from an exact science!  Beyond the car park the broad track continues and there are many lovely open grassy spots where you can set up a decent picnic and enjoy views down over Coniston Water.

Because it's higher up and rather exposed it will generally be a little breezier here than in the picnic spots on the lake shore (of which there are many - the best of which are a series of benches around the head of the lake with views along the whole length), so pack a flask of tea and a sweatshirt just in case.

5. Raven Crag

No pain, no views like this.

OK, this one is a hefty walk but it is pretty much my favourite spot in the Lake District.  Head to the top end of Thirlmere and take the road across the dam; there you'll find a small car park.  Look up and you'll see Raven Crag looming above you (I warned you it was a hefty walk!).  If you follow the road away from the lake you'll soon find a signed footpath leading up into the forest, it rises steeply and, if you're anything like me, you'll be wanting to stop at regular intervals to catch your breath.  When you reach the broad track at the top, double back on yourself up onto the crag and keep going until you see the view in the photograph. (Though probably minus the snow.)  Despite its lofty status there is a broad, flat, grassy area protected from most of the wind and absolutely perfect for a picnic.

So there you have it; a selection of lovely picnic spots to start you off; all we need now is a long hot summer!


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Free for all.

Welcome to another one of my mini rants.  This time inspired by two articles in the recent news.  Offending article number one: UK families are being priced out of day trips.  This is probably very true, with a day trip to the big theme parks costing over £100 for some families and even trips out for lunch costing easily in excess of £50.  The second article appears today:  Inactivity killing as many as smoking.  Again, I'm not going to argue with that; there are definitely too many inactive people for whom reasons to go out and do something are far outweighed by a list of excuses not to.

Enjoy the outdoors!

My problem with both of these pieces is their tone and implication that fun and activity cost money.  Children are going to be "cooped up at home" because their parents can't afford to take them out and activity, apparently needs to be "more affordable".  Whatever happened to cheap, outdoor fun?  When did a "day out" need to be more expensive than bus fare/ car parking and a packed lunch?  I am a girl of the technological era, I love my Xbox and assorted other gadgetry but it's not a replacement for getting out and about.  As my gran would say "all things in moderation" (except perhaps Gin) - in other words, it's all about balance.  Family day trips can be cheap and fun and walking to the shops costs a lot less than driving there.  What's lacking here isn't money, it's imagination.

I could quite happily rant on for another page or so, but instead I will turn this blog piece over to cheap and/ or free fun activities.  I'll kick off with a list of things I know about in Cumbria, but please feel free to comment below with any others you know of, especially if you're promoting small businesses.

Levers Water

The Lake District.  All of it.  C'mon, in Cumbria there really should be no excuse for not getting out and about and wearing your kids out on the fells.  Start small with Catbells if you're not used to hiking, but don't underestimate the stamina of kids; my 3 year old nieces have already scaled Skiddaw completely under their own steam.  I'm told they slept well afterwards.

And if you don't happen to live near a great big adventure playground, then what?  Well I grew up in the middle of urban England, but greenery was just a bus ride (or occasionally 2) away.  Pack a picnic and head for the nearest large green space.  For us Sutton Park or Cannock Chase were a huge treat with loads of space to tear around and have adventures while the adults read a book or snoozed.

View from Fell Foot Park

Indoor fun.  So the summer hasn't been the best lately, so what?  There are cheap/ free indoor play areas in many locations.  Around here there's Bowness, Ulverston station and Kendal (near K Village).  If you know of others, please add them below.  (Thanks to my friend Gary for the pointers on that one.  He's got 2 lively youngsters and, if I know him, there's probably a hostelry near each play area.)

Barrow Dock Museum.  For older kids perhaps, but a fabulous, interesting and FREE place to visit.  Even the parking is free.  And there's a nice little cafe if you want to splash out while you're there.  The exhibits are displayed over several floors indoors in an old dry dock and if your kids have any sort of interest in boats they'll be mesmerised by the huge scale models of boats from all eras.  (Or maybe I should call them ships.  Apologies to any old sea dogs reading this.)

Fell Foot Park.  If you're in the South Lakes then this is a must any day when it's not raining.  There's loads of space for picnics, a small adventure playground and easy swimming in the lake.  It gets pretty busy on warm sunny days and the parking can be a little pricey.  But if you're there early enough there are a few laybys on the road which are free. Having just checked their website it seems they'll be allowing camping there during August this year; brilliant idea.  There are few sites with better views.

Just get out there and have some fun!

Local Farms.  Holme Farm is just down the road from lovely Grange-over-Sands and is refreshingly un-gimmicky.  No entrance fee and they've got home made ice-creams (modestly priced), a small play area and usually a few animals for the kids to see.  No website but you can find them here: Holme Farm Dairy Ice Cream - David & Brenda Lawrence, Holme Farm, Meathop Road, Grange-over-Sands 015395 32991

Well, I think that's me done for now.  I found both articles quite sad and feel sure there is a link between them.  The concept that fun or activity need to cost money is being used as an easy excuse not to get out and about, when that's simply not the case.  As a society we've gotten overly reliant on someone else doing our thinking for us and telling us how to have fun, be it via technology or at theme parks.  If we used our credit cards a little less and our imaginations a little more we'd be financially better off and may live a bit longer too.