Winner post: We travel to Lake District with Pepe Ivars

Today we present the post of the winner of the contest "We look for a travel blogger" whose author is Pepe Ivars who takes us to know the Lake District, in the United Kingdom. We hope you enjoy it!

For this Eurochange travel blog I have chosen a special and relatively unknown site, which serves as a refuge to escape the frenetic pace of London: The Lake District. One of the most beautiful and largely unknown areas for most travellers visiting the UK, and situated between England, Scotland and Wales.

In the 7th economy of the world and within a country with more than 60 million people this natural reserve serves as a refuge and oasis for those who want to discover nature in all its fullness.

I am a lover of the mountain and my visits to this area are common because it is the cradle of mountain racing - Fell running, as well as one of the mountainous areas of the country. So it is not surprising that some of the most famous British explorers and climbers such as Chris Bonington or Doug Scott have their residence here.

To begin to know this destination - and to stay with the desire to return - I would suggest about 4 days of duration - from Thursday to Sunday, and using the population of Keswick, like our centre of operations from here to move to the different places that I propose below.

For travellers coming from outside, the best combination is to fly to Manchester, Edinburgh or Newcastle which are less than two hours away by car and where you can fly from almost anywhere in Europe with low cost airlines. But coming from London the alternative is to take a train to Oxenholme Lake District and from there to rent a car, without doubt the best way to get around here is by car because of the freedom it provides and the public transport is very limited.

For lodging, traveling with or without children, my preference is always to stay in one of the typical Bed & Breakfasts in the city where we will find the best combination of quality and breakfast. Personally I really like the Elm Three that is managed by a good friend and expedition guide to Everest, so the topic of conversation during breakfast is guaranteed.

Keswick is often compared with Chamonix the capital of the French Alps

The first day we will arrive in the afternoon or evening. If you are going to be late it is convenient to organize the dinner on the way because in Keswick it is difficult to find something open for dinner from 9:00 pm. But if you have time, the gastronomic offer is varied and if the time accompanies you after dinner you can walk along the shore of Lake Derwent Water the same day you arrive.

Breakfasts at any B & B across the country are all a ritual and they aren’t different around here. The selection is not too varied in general and, apart from cereals with milk, the typical thing is to eat a good Full English Breakfast to start the day with energy. This breakfast has beans with tomato, fried or poached eggs, chips, mushrooms, tomatoes and black pudding. So it is a bit complicated to find a spartan coffee and toast.

Friday is the first day of exploration and, if the weather is not good, I recommend to visit the Honister slate mine which is a few kilometers from Keswick and where you can make a guided tour of its galleries where you will learn the history of this industry in the area and the impact on its inhabitants. For the more daring it offer several options of bridge-monkey, zip lines and climbing for adults and children.

Image courtesy of honister.com

On the way back from the mine and before the meal, the obligatory stop is Bowder Stone - a large stone that is in the middle of the countryside that during the centuries has been a tourist attraction and that became popular in the Victorian time as a picnic area. More recently local climbers use their slope as a training place when it rains.

Testing the scalding tracks of Bowder Stone

I suggest stopping for a meal at any "country pub" you find on our way back to Keswick - or in the town square. The centre of Keswick has very good places to eat and in general the traditional food is quite well prepared. I recommend trying the baked chicken at The Royal Oak.

After eating, you can go around the town visiting the traditional stores where they sell products of merino wool and wood typical of this area. It is gratifying to get lost in its narrow streets and discover corners of the city.

On Friday evening, you can see the Lake Theater (Theater by the lake), located in a privileged location on the shores of Lake Derwenwater. You can walk from the B & B and it is advisable to buy the tickets in advance.

On Saturday morning after breakfast you can take the boat on the pier that will take you for a circular tour along Derwenwater Lake. During the tour we will be able to go down and get back on the different stops if we want to discover the area. I personally recommend visiting the waterfalls of Lodore (Lodore Falls) in its northern part and from which we can return walking along the lake. We can take snacks for the day or stop to eat in any of the pubs or hotels that we will find along the way.

Boat tour at Derwenwater Lake

Once back from the boat ride and to see an unparalleled sunset we will visit the castle group of the Neolithic Castlerigg Stone circle on the outskirts of the village, in an unrivaled postcard with mountains on the horizon with the sunset.

Image courtesy of keswick.org  

For our last night in Keswick I recommend one of the best restaurants in the area in the center of town, the Morrels on Lake Road, where we can sample typical dishes of this area of ​​the country.

For our last day of travel, my recommendation is to get up early and after breakfast put on the backpack and ascend Skiddaw - a mountain of 931 meters at the foot of the lake. This climb will take us about two and a half hours, but it is worth the effort to contemplate spectacular views of the valley.

Valley Views

Once packed suitcases and loaded car and before returning home, the obligatory stop is the village of Grasmere to visit the bakery where the gingerbread was invented in 1854. This small business is in its original place and they are still manufacturing in a way Crafts her famous gingerbread cookies.

At Grasmere we end our tour of some of the most beautiful areas of the UK and hope that through this chronicle of travel I encourage you to discover it on your next visit.

For more information on Keswick and the lake area, you can find more information on the website: www.keswick.orgor if you prefer you can contact me and I will gladly help you organize your adventure.