You can take the girl out of Cumbria, but you can’t take Cumbria out of the girl. I’ve frequently been back visiting the Lake District since I left many years ago. Apart from the STUNNING scenery, it has some great places to visit tucked away in the South Lakes area, even in these chilly, early months of the year; here they are:
1. Visit Walney Island
I love islands. There’s something about their isolation and separateness from the modern world that intrigues me.
Sometimes they’re wild and forgotten places but they can also be a mere stone’s throw from civilisation which makes them seem otherworldly.
Walney Island is one of the latter, lying off the coast of Barrow in Furness which is best known for its industrial heritage and nuclear submarines.
But a trip over the Jubilee Bridge from Barrow to Walney is one of winter’s great treats, especially when you leave behind Vickerstown and escape to the island’s wild beaches.
Walney, lying along the tip of the Furness peninsula with spectacular walks along the Irish Sea coast and views over Morecambe Bay, is a great little island with brilliant wildlife and wild walks. Whether you’re a beach comber, bird watcher, seal spotter or plain curious, this is a place not to be missed. And to think I once nearly migrated back here for good!
2. Visit Birkrigg Common
Not actually in the Lake District, being just outside Ulverston. Not really a fell, but small in stature with grassy slopes, on a rocky limestone pavement.
Looking across the expansive limestone pavement towards Ulverston, my home for many years.
Looking towards the Holker Estate and Flookburgh across Morecambe Bay.
Birkrigg rises above the great expanse of Morecambe Bay and the lush valley of Urswick. The views from its summit are good for such a lowly fell, encompassing Black Combe, the Coniston Fells, into Bowland and the Yorkshire Dales and a stunning treat was to see as far as Snowdon and the Isle of Man – and the weather was perfect on this mid-March day.
3. Spend the night or take afternoon tea at The Lakeside Hotel, Newby Bridge.
One of my most favourite places, it is five-star luxury for when you need it.
And I did indeed need it, and shared with my family this weekend.
Have fun whatever you get up to, till next time.....
G ∼♥∼ G