At the beginning of the year I thought I’d be missing out on my annual trip to the lakes because of a clash of leave, however a there was a cancellation, freeing up the rota for me to go. Usually I head to Keswick for the beer festival signalling the start of my adventures around the Lake District, however when the accommodation was reserved, we got the dates mixed up and booked the week before the festival. Doh!
So for the first time since 2013 (excluding the COVID years) I’ll miss the beer tent and the multiple renditions of ‘Mr Brightside’ by the numerous bands playing over the weekend.
We arrived Friday evening and had a couple of pints at the Pheasant Inn then chilled out in the lodge.
We kicked off the Saturday doing the ‘Park Run’. This is a national event, held every Saturday throughout the UK, where you run a 5k route, with the aim to keep fit and improve your personal best.
The Keswick route follows the disused railway track between the town and the village of Threlkeld. Once completed we went for breakfast at a local cafe.
After returning to our accommodation for showers, we did a food shop then met some friends for a drink before our evening meal in ‘The Round’.
Over the last few visits to The Lakes, Joe has been wanting to bag ‘Blencathra’. Sunday morning the weather was on our side, so we seized the day and set out on the 868m Wainwright.
Finding the last spot in the car park, we ascended the fairly steep path and the even steeper zigzag section to ‘Knowe Crags’, the start of the easy bit to the summit. The sun was out, however there was a chilly breeze, making me wish I had brought my gloves along!
The path follows the edge of the crags to the summit, giving fantastic views over Keswick and Thirlmere in the distance. Great for the photo album!
We continued on to ‘Atkinson Pike’ which sits at the end of ‘Mungrisdale Common’ meaning we bagged two Wainwrights, before returning the way we came, opting to forego ‘Sharp Edge’.
Once back in Threlkeld, we had a post walk pint and returned to the lodge for the evening.
Monday brought clouds and a constant threat of rain. A place I have been meaning to get to for a while is the ‘Langdale Quarry’ or better known as the ‘Cathedral Cave’. This is an old slate quarry just outside Little Langdale, that has a cavern supported by an impressive stone pillar.
We got the bus to Ambleside then a connection to Elterwater. After lunch at a little bistro, we set off towards Little Langdale.
We ascended up a rock strewn road/footpath to reach the neighbouring valley and descended into the little hamlet. From there you follow a country lane, over a ford into a wooded hillock where the quarry resides. A short walk westward you reach the disclaimer sign on a gate post, warning of falling rocks etc.
Following the path upwards you reach an information sign outside a tunnel the leads to the cavern.
Using the light from my phone, ducking, I stepped into the tunnel and proceeded through the dank gloom heading to the light at the end, to sound of splashing echoing with each of my footsteps.
At the other side I was greeted with the spectacular view of the cavern. The pictures on the internet do not do it justice nor the scale of the chamber.
We headed back to Elterwater, crossing an old drovers footbridge over a stream from ‘Little Langdale Tarn’; known as Slaters Bridge.
We returned the way we came, and after having the customary post walk pint at the Britannia Inn, at Elterwater, we caught the buses back to Keswick where we had dinner at the recently open ‘Peri Fresco’ restaurant.
According to the weather forecast, Tuesday was meant to be a wash out. So we had planned to do indoor activities. Elina took us bouldering, an activity I’ve never done.
With all the grace of stick insect I tackled the red and orange routes. Some had overhangs that I reckon only Spider-Man could climb; thankfully the floor was cushioned!
With tired arms and muscles I didn’t know existed, we went for brunch. The rain still hadn’t abated, and keeping to the indoors we went around the pencil museum.
It detailed the mining of graphite and the uses through the years. At one point it was worth more than gold, and smugglers would deal in this commodity at ‘The George’ in Keswick.
Those that operated in those circles ended up have black hands from handling the stolen graphite, hence the origin of ‘The Black Market’. It also detailed the manufacture of the pencils that had maps and compasses secreted inside, for captured WW2 pilots.
We pottered around Keswick, had cocktails at the ‘Derwent Walker, then finished off the day with a meal at the ‘Pheasant’.
The weather hadn’t improved much on Wednesday. Continuing with the indoor theme, we headed to ‘Rydal Mount’ the home of William Wordsworth. A bus ride from Keswick puts you at the bottom of the hill which the grade one listed building sits on.
This beautiful cottage and its extensive garden, looks over Rydal Water. We went around the cottage that is still owned and resided by the descendants of Wordsworth. Painted portraits and manuscripts are displayed through out, giving the history of the famous poet.
It was a pleasure to walk around the gardens, that was the inspiration of many of his works. You could understand with the variety of colours, plants and the views of fells above.
We hopped back on the bus to Grasmere for lunch and for the famous gingerbread the area is renowned for. We returned to Keswick and after a couple of drinks at the ‘Dog and Gun’, before a chilled evening back at the lodge.
Thursday I wanted to get some wainwrights bagged, specifically around Buttermere however there were showers throughout the morning that I didn’t fancy getting caught in, on the fells.
The one activity we hadn’t partook yet was crazy golf. Off to Hope park we went for the 18 hole course; this year Joe was the victor.
After lunch we hit a few watering holes we hadn’t been to before. A nice craft beer establishment and a wine bar before returning to the lodge for food and a night of board games. A relaxed night ready for the drive home in the morning.
Thus this draws the end to my Keswick adventure for 2024.
Stu's Camino 