Lake district Day trip free and easy

[DucDuc]

I would like to do some hiking in the lake district where I will find some photo ops. Wild life first order of interest, then any thing else.

Suggestions?

Thanks in advance

[Benchista]

Wild wildlife in the lakes? Well, for golden eagles, try the head of Haweswater. red squirrels, around Loweswater is where I've seen most. But I wouldn't say the Lakes was the best place for wildlife - too many people about. For the grandest scenery of all, Wasdale. Prettiest valley - Borrowdale. Quietest and least Lakelike - Dunnerdale (that's the Duddon Valley). Then there's Eskdale, with all sorts, including Roman remains more or less under the Scafell group. Langdale is easy to get to, has some great walking, and plenty of variety. Prettiest lake - Buttermere and/or Crummock water. Biggest cliches - around Derwentwater. (But some of the best views for all that). Oh, wherever you go in the Lakes there are photo ops - lovely small towns (Cartmel, Hawkshead), industrial archaeology (just about everywhere, but Honister is perhaps the best place) - there's a lifetime's worth of photography in the Lakes, and then some.

[Gordon_McGeachie]

And if you fail to see any `wildlife` [img]/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img] you could always go here.

http://www.wildanimalpark.co.uk/wildlifepark_home.asp

[DucDuc]

Cheers

[gray1720]

You might be lucky and catch an early osprey at Bassenthwaite - there's been several spotted heading north over Oxfordshire recently, so they're on their way. Also red squirrels - though they're much shyer than the Scottish ones.

Views... almost everywhere! Eskdale is oft neglected by walkers, and low on high tops, but still ruggedly beautiful. Or there's Blaeberry Fell - low, but thoroughly recommended for a feeling of being surrounded by hills, and great views over Derwent Water.

I'd avoid Cat Bells as it tends to be heaving with people, and I'd avoid the tourist route up Skiddaw as it's a long and very dull slog, followed by a long and very dull walk. On the other hand, I suspect there's some great views along the long ridge that runs across the front of Skiddaw (the name of which utterly escapes me... sorry!), and rarely-explored countryside "back o' Skidda'" - including the gloriously named Great, Little and just-plain-old Cockup!

I'll second Buttermere - I took a personal favourite there, it's lovely.

Adrian

[Learning]

You won't even get a good recce in a day. Book into a modest hotel out of the school hols and you will probably find that you can afford a week. You should see red squirrels but they seem to have a strange sense that detects a long lens pointing in their direction. Good luck. Avoid Keswick and Windermere like the plague. Even out of season they are pretty dreadful.

[Benchista]

Balderdash. Keswick is quite a nice town when not overrun.

[Fen]

Balderdash. Keswick is quite a nice town when not overrun.

Quite agree. Late September and October are fabulous times to go there. Also some most excellent pubs AND a brewery

[Zou]

We went for a drive down to the Lakes yesterday. Started off at Aira Force, along Ullswater, along the Kirkstone Pass, then went around in circles trying to find the right road for Little Langdale and Eskdale. Finally looped back south and then up past Kendal to Penrith and the motorway home.

Great day out, stunning views, and we only had to stop once to let the engine cool down!

[Rhys]

Only visited the Lakes once, we stayed in Pooley Bridge at the Pooley Bridge Inn - couldn't fault it. 3 pubs opposite as well..

[Rushfan]

I love the Lake District but wouldn't consider it any sort of venue for a serious wildlife 'photo shoot' aside from Ducks and geese at the head of Derwent / Keswick.

[chr1s]

there's still plenty there to enjoy though, some beautiful landscapes

[Learning]

I love the Lake District but wouldn't consider it any sort of venue for a serious wildlife 'photo shoot' aside from Ducks and geese at the head of Derwent / Keswick.

Red squirrels?

[stonflo]

We've just come back from a week in the caravan near Leighton Moss which is RSPB. Which is south south lakes? If you cycle there or go by public transport you get in free. As it is an AONB there are plenty of walks around countryside which is great as well as birds and deer to see. We walked or cycled every day and when walking we hardly saw a sole. We will probably go back later this year.
Mike

[DaveS]

For industrial, there's Threlkeld Mining Meuseum, with Blencathra in the background. Especially nice for macro and if you like rust.
Couple of visits ago I was sitting by the path up Aira Beck when a Red popped up no more than a couple of yards from me. Didn't hang around though.

My Flikr has some photos I did last August.
Dave