A vast variety of writers and artists are associated with the group-friendly Lake District, one of Britain’s most celebrated national parks
The Lake District is the undisputed tourism capital of the beautiful North West of England.
One of the most famous areas of Britain, it was one of the first National Parks in the country, and boasts both England’s largest lake and its highest mountain. It has a great number of truly picturesque towns, beautiful accommodation, and renowned attractions.
We took in just a little of the lovely Lakes on a trip organised by Cumbria Tourism.
Discovering Lakeland life
Our first stop was Abbot Hall and the Museum of Lakeland Life in Kendal, an excellent art gallery and museum that offers surprising contrasts.
One's immediate impression on entering the Museum of Lakeland Life isn't of stepping into a museum at all, but a beautiful Victorian middle-class parlour. It doesn't even smell like a museum, but of smoky old wood.
There's just a discreet information plaque on the wall to give any indication that it's a museum at all. A grandfather clock gently ticks away in the corner, adding to the atmosphere, and an Edwardian phonograph plays music.
The next room displays a fascinating range of laundry items, irons, early carpet cleaners, and other domestic aids: There’s loads to look at.
A kitchen and bedroom are upstairs, and it's the same story as the parlour: The museum immerses you wholly into the room, with minimal written information, and the effect is excellent.
What information is there offers a great deal of context to visitors. For example, there are no pre-17th century farmhouses in Cumbria because the frequent wars with Scotland made building permanent structures tricky; and the Arts and Crafts movement was particularly important here thanks to the area’s rich craft heritage and wonderful scenery.
There are various exhibition spaces in the museum, giving more details about rock climbing and tourism in the Lake District; local working life and industry; and the work of Swallows and Amazons author Arthur Ransome, who fell in love with the Lake District on childhood holidays.
The final exhibit is a recreation of a Victorian street.
Fine setting for art
Across the way from the museum is Abbot Hall, a fine Palladian manor, said to be Kendal’s most beautiful building (and there’s lots of competition for that title). It’s now an art gallery, but its period rooms, filled with genuine Georgian furniture, offer a beautiful setting for the fine art displayed – and quite a contrast to the cosy Victorian settings seen at the Museum of Lakeland Life.
The ground floor rooms have works by Joshua Reynolds, Thomas Lawrence and, most notably, George Romney – including his masterpiece of intimate family life, The Gower Family.
These classic paintings contrast with the modern art upstairs; the centrepiece of which is a 16-part series of etchings by David Hockney, named A Rake's Progress in homage to Hogarth's 18th-century engravings. This is open until December, and in January Claude Monet’s masterpiece Haystacks: Snow Effect will be put on display until April.
Combined with an hour or two of free time in Kendal, which is perfect for a wander and a little shopping even on a cloudy day, the museum and art gallery are good for a half-day excursion.
Sailing on the lake
Our next stop was the charming town of Bowness-on-Windermere, for a refreshing tour of the lake with Windermere Lake Cruises.
The best way to explore England's biggest lake can only be by boat. Windermere Lake Cruises offers a 45-minute circular tour of the islands, including its largest, lovely Belle Isle. Commentary is provided, and the comfortable boat is equipped with an on-board bar. Windermere Lake Cruises offers groups a free tea or coffee onboard with the Islands Tour, at £8.25pp.
Other tours include a 90-minute Full Lake Cruise (£9.20pp), a Half Lake Cruise to Ambleside or Lakeside at £9.20pp return, or a 24-hour Freedom Ticket at £15.60pp.
Group organisers travel free, and there’s free coach parking at Bowness and Lakeside Piers, and a free drop-off at Ambleside Pier.
Groups sailing before 1030hrs and after 1600hrs can also get a further 20% off.
It offers a full range of combined tickets with other attractions, too. These include:
- Lakeland Motor Museum, which has over 30,000 exhibits of cars, motorcycles, scooters, pedal cars, bikes and auto memorabilia
- The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction, which showcases the stories of one of the Lake District’s most famous residents, author of the much-loved Peter Rabbit stories
- Lakeside & Haverthwaite Steam Railway, which allows groups to enjoy beautiful lake and river scenery along the Leven Valley
- Rydal Mount, the historic home and gardens of the romantic poet William Wordsworth, including the landscaped garden designed by the great man himself
- Holker Hall and Gardens, a neo-gothic house with stunning gardens and a deer park, available for self-guided tours.
Arts and Crafts explored
Blackwell The Arts and Crafts House is also one of these.
The Lake District is famously associated with hugely popular writers, but it’s also well associated for being the birthplace of the Arts and Crafts movement.
This aesthetic decorative movement, led by such famous figures as John Ruskin and William Morris, focused on craftsmanship to beautify the home using simple, natural forms.
Blackwell allows you to explore the movement in a complete Arts and Crafts setting. Built in 1900 as a holiday home for the wealthy Holt family of Manchester, designed by Mackay Hugh Baillie Scott, what strikes you is how modern it is. It’s still part of the Victorian age, but it makes you want to stay there on holiday yourself. The architecture of the time was focused wholly on light, warmth and proportion – so the rooms have huge south-facing windows (as well as west windows for the lake views), and every single one has a beautifully-decorated fireplace.
It's recommended that you start in the medieval-style Great Hall, the heart of the house. Off the huge rooms are cosy nooks and alcoves, even a treehouse-style Minstrel's Gallery, and the overall effect puts you in mind of Channel 4's Grand Designs.
Upstairs are several exhibition spaces, where you can learn about the famous people associated with the movement, from Baillie Scott and Ruskin, to William Morris's daughter May and Margaret MacDonald, wife and inspiration of Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Both these women were fine artists in their own right, and the ‘Women of the Arts and Crafts Movement’ exhibition showcases their work; it’s on until January. There's also a schoolroom, where you can learn about the schoolgirls evacuated here during the Second World War.
We suggest you leave the White Drawing Room till last – it's simply stunning, a magnificent holiday retreat for the late Victorians, and still vastly desirable as one now.
Other attractions
Stott Park Bobbin Mill: Explore Cumbria’s once-vast bobbin-making industry. Located near Lakeside on Windermere, it’s still a working mill, owned by English Heritage. Guided tours are available. Group tours of 11+ get 15% off, and there is free coach parking.
Ullswater Steamers: Group-friendly attraction offering tours of Ullswater aboard historic vessels. The oldest steamer, Lady of the Lake, is 140 years old. A range of cruise options available, as well as a year-round programme of events. Free parking and drop-off for coaches.
Lowther Castle and Gardens: Lowther describes itself as “one of the most intriguing visitor attractions in the country”. It’s a 19th-century castle, left lying in ruins by the 1950s. Benefits include discount on garden entry for groups of 10+ and free entry for organiser and coach driver.
Senhouse Roman Museum: Situated at the western end of Hadrian’s Wall, Senhouse houses fascinating collection of Roman objects and tells an important story of Roman life and sculpture. Special rates are available for pre-booked groups of 10+. A guide can be provided at no extra cost if available.
The Lakes Distillery: On the edge of Bassenthwaite Lake, this former farm is now a working distillery producing artisan whisky, vodka and gin. As well as a tour of the distillery, you can meet a herd of alpacas. Groups of 12+ are eligible for discounts.
Ravenglass & Eskdale Steam Railway: The Railway offers several packages for groups, including return journeys from Ravenglass to Dalegarth with time to explore Boot; combined tickets with Muncaster Castle and Gardens; and combined tickets with Ullswater Steamers.
