Second and Goal » Travel

Keswick Hotels and Art

jennyandrew — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:03:03 +0000

Keswick in the English Lake District has built itself up as quite a centre for art. Keswick , over the years, has become a haven for artists and galleries. The scenery surrounding the town of Keswick makes this statement easy to understand. There are a number of artists that have made a move to the area permanently.

Keswick is in the centre of the some of the most dramatic scenery in the UK. On one side there is Skiddaw loaming over at an incredible height of 3054 feet above sea level, the fourth highest mountain in the Lake District and on the other side the tranquillity of Derwentwater. Skiddaw dominates the skyline around this area and is a sight to behold. It is not craggy like many Lakeland fells but somewhat undulating.

Over the other side and the picturesque Borrowdale valley which is dominated by the 3 mile long lake of Derwentwater. There are easily accessible points to get down to the lake with a path that runs all around the shore. It is a very popular area with lovers of all activities and it is one of the few pieces of water in the Lake District that has retained its peaceful atmosphere. Watercolour and oil enthusiasts alike are drawn to this area.

Visitors to Keswick that stay in one of the many hotels in Keswick can look around one of the many galleries in Keswick or its surrounding area which is always useful as Keswick is one of the wettest places in the UK!

Western Lake District Accommodation – All Year Round

Andrew — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:46:50 +0000

Spring time in the Western Lake District – Lambs, daffodils and action galore…
The snow on the fells is giving way to snowdrops. By May, the beautiful Eskdale valley is carpeted in bluebells. But one flower in particular is associated with the Lakes – and you can visit Wordsworth’s house for a fascinating re-creation of his early life, when gardens were planted with foodstuffs, not daffodils. While in Cockermouth, why not pop into the Lakeland Sheep & Wool Centre to see the spring lambs?
It’s a perfect time of year for bracing walks and rides. Try the coastal paths around Whitehaven, the guided walks from Keswick Rambles, or the meandering 27-mile Smugglers’ Route from Maryport to Ireby. Take to the beach on horseback, courtesy of Allonby Riding School. Play golf at one of several excellent courses such as the Silecroft and Silloth links, or Eskdale, where the 14th green is set within a huge trout pond and there’s private fishing too.

Summer time in the Western Lake District – Sun, sails and sound-checks
Summer’s here and the time is right for dancing in the streets of Whitehaven, Silloth, Cockermouth… Local festivities and music festivals abound. Don’t miss Workington’s ‘Paint the Town Red’, the multi-award-winning Solfest, the Seaton Carnival, the Festival of Fools at Muncaster Castle, Millom’s Scarecrow Festival or the impressively named CockRock, to name but a few.
What better time to hit the quiet beaches of Allonby, St Bees and Haverigg, to try the fascinating town and harbour walks in Egremont and Harrington – or to set out by foot or on bike along the famous Coast to Coast routes? There are many Lake District Accommodation venues and Lake District hotels to stay at. There are strolls, hikes and rides for all the family, from coastal walks at Flimby to pony rides on Silecroft beach, organised through the Murthwaithe Green Trekking Centre. Golf at Workington and the Harrington driving range? Or what about a perfect, lazy day’s fishing on the Salterbeck reservoir, or from the pier at Whitehaven?
Of course when the sun is dancing on the Lakes, the urge to get out on the water is irresistible. So don’t resist.

Autumn time in the Western Lake District – Local colour like no other
Always majestic, the landscape of the Western Lake District turns magical with the change of season. As the days grow crisp and morning mists gather on the lakes and in the valleys, the fells become a golden swathe of bracken. With Lake District hotels set amidst such breath-taking scenery, there can be no better place to appreciate the woodland colours – from the soft carpets of oak and birch leaves in the Miredale valley to the striking red maples of Giggle Alley near Eskdale.
The bird sanctuaries of the coast are a hive of activity with new arrivals settling down ahead of the winter, or just passing through. Visit the Dodd Wood view-point near Bassenthwaite and you may catch an impressive glimpse of the rare and beautiful ospreys which fish the lake, perhaps before they migrate to their African wintering grounds.

Winter time in the Western Lake District – Rediscover the spirit…
Whether you think the season starts on the shortest day of the year or sometime soon after Halloween, the Western Lake District allows you to experience it to the full. Snow-capped mountains, glorious sunsets, roaring log fires and traditional evening entertainments will remind you what winter used to be, should be – and can be – all about.
Take the Swinside Stone Circle near Broughton-in-Furness, It’s an atmospheric time of year to visit this megalithic site, one of the earliest and finest in Britain. The fifty-five stones are set in a ninety foot diameter circle and seemingly aligned with the midwinter sun. Or the extravaganza of Darkest Muncaster and its mile-long trail of twinkling lights and seasonal effects – by turns spooky and truly magical. To complete the picture, add the welcoming warmth of cosy pubs and inns, of home-made soups and Cumberland Rum Nicky, a rich sticky tart with exotic ingredients that draw on the region’s historical trade with the West Indies.

Lake District Weddings – The Most Romantic Destination

Andrew — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 11:26:49 +0000

With the Lake District being named most romantic destination this Valentine’s, it isn’t surprising that couples then want to return to get married. A staggering 31% of couples interviewed voted for the Lake District over destinations such as the Cotswolds, Bath and York.

The romantic nature of this area unsurprisingly attracts couples looking for a wedding destination. Year on year the Lake District is attracting more and more couples with hotels in the Lake District seeing steady increases in weddings throughout the year. There is an excellent choice of Lake District wedding venues due to the high number of hotels. Having this choice enables a wedding party to select the best venue for the size and theme of the wedding. Many hotels offer a cruise on one of the lakes on the wedding day. This can be for the bride and groom only or for the whole wedding party.

The area is very much geared up for Lake District weddings. The large number of weddings held in Lake District hotels has meant other facilities are readily available such as car hire, photographers, DJ’s and cake makers. Should the bride and groom live out of the area, no services need to be brought with them. This of course makes organisation much easier and keeps costs down.